what is an operations manager?
As an operations manager, you are in charge of running an organisation's daily functions. That involves planning and implementing production processes to improve quality, productivity and performance. Your primary role is to oversee company procedures and enforce the policies. For instance, it is your job to find the perfect balance between expenses and revenue. That means you need to optimise costs to maintain a company's financial health without compromising the quality or customers feeling short-changed.
Aside from formulating company processes and policies, the operations manager also manages all company resources. That includes raw materials, labour and capital. As an operations manager, you supervise and control all factors of production to ensure maximum productivity. Sometimes, you have to carry out human resource functions to improve employee engagement and productivity.
what does an operations manager do?
An operations manager is crucial in every industry, including manufacturing, healthcare, construction and retail. Your job is to put together the resources available to achieve a company's goals. For instance, you manage inventory and sales representatives to increase sales in retail. In manufacturing, you supervise the production processes and minimise costs without affecting the quality standards. In construction, you ensure all materials are utilised as expected and manage the workers on site.
Would working as an operations manager suit your enterprising skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an operations manager role.
average salary of an operations manager
According to ONS, the average salary of an operations manager is £37,500 per year. Your starting salary at an entry-level position is £29,000 annually, while experienced operations managers earn £52,500 per year. The compensation package also includes allowances and non-monetary benefits. For instance, operations managers often get medical insurance and various allowances to facilitate their responsibilities. Some companies also provide house and transport allowances. Paid vacations, pension benefits and bonuses are perks of becoming an operations manager.
what factors affect the salary of an operations manager?
Your compensation package as an operations manager often relies on various factors. For instance, your position in the company hierarchy can influence your pay. If you are an operations manager in charge of one department, your salary is less than for someone in charge of an entire company. When you are an operations manager for a single department, your responsibilities and qualifications are minimal. An operations manager in charge of the whole company often carries out complex tasks and earns a better salary. Your experience also influences your wages due to the transferrable skills you bring to the company. Employers will pay more for your expertise when you have years of experience working in operations.
types of operations managers
Operations managers vary depending on the industry they work for. Some include:
- business operations manager: as a business manager, you supervise the operations of various departments in a company. You need to ensure company resources are optimised to improve business outcomes by promoting efficiency and productivity.
- field operations manager: as a field operations manager, you implement field marketing and sales initiatives. That means you are responsible for training and hiring field sales representatives, evaluating performance and managing logistics of marketing activities.
- healthcare operations manager: your job is to improve efficiency and quality services to patients. You ensure the hospital sticks to the budget by optimising resources and resolving hospital operational issues.
- construction operations manager: as a construction operations manager, you supervise various building projects and ensure proper allocation of resources. You also develop efficient ways to improve construction standards and enhance commercial value.
working as an operations manager
Operations managers perform various functions to ensure the smooth running of business processes. Below are the tasks, duties and working conditions to expect in the role:
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operation manager job description
Operation managers are the driving forces behind successful project completion. They perform the following tasks:
- product design: as the operations manager, you ensure the products and services sold to consumers meet their needs. Hence, you need to generate new ideas to fill gaps in the market or change the production processes to improve your product's quality. You also study market trends and ensure the product designs fulfil consumer needs.
- forecasting market demand: your job is to improve business outcomes by ensuring the product meets the demands instead of producing products that take time to sell. You need to analyse the statistics to determine the uptake of your company's products. From the information, you can develop strategies to increase sales.
- supply chain management: as an operations manager, you manage the business processes, from acquiring raw materials and production to sales. You need to monitor production, distribution and sales to ensure efficiency and low overhead costs.
- strategic planning: operations managers are involved in strategic planning of company goals and optimising business processes. For instance, operations managers can determine the best marketing strategies to increase revenue or find cost-effective production methods.
- quality control: as the operations manager, you ensure the company products meet the required standards. That includes sourcing suitable raw materials and recruiting qualified personnel to ensure the production process yields high-quality products. You also identify ways to increase value to your customers to improve loyalty.
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work environment
As an operations manager, your work environment depends on the industry you work for and your primary responsibilities. In manufacturing, operations managers work in an office but spend most of the time at the factory or manufacturing plant. In construction, your work revolves around various construction sites since you need to supervise workers and ensure the delivery of raw materials. When working in construction sites or factories, you need personal protective equipment even when not handling the items on-site. In some industries like retail and information technology, your job is predominantly in the office with minimal travelling required.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry, your colleagues might include project managers, quality engineers, manufacturing engineers, supply chain managers, cleaning supervisor roles, and marketing managers. You might also be working in close proximity to contracts managers and chief executive officers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, business development managers, finance managers, human resource managers and recruitment consultant positions.
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work schedule
As an operations manager, your work routine runs from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays. Your work takes at least 40 hours a week, but you should expect to work weekends and evenings. Most companies employ operations managers on a full-time basis. You can also find a few part-time opportunities, mostly in consultancy companies. Some operations managers also take up jobs on short-term contracts. As an operations manager, you will travel to construction sites and supplier meetings.
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job outlook
Your advancement path as an operations manager depends on the industry you work for and your career ambitions. As an operations manager, you can specialise in working for a specific industry. For instance, if you started as a facilities manager or logistics supervisor, specialise in manufacturing operations or logistics and become an expert in the field. An operations manager is a senior role, and your career advancement opportunity is to become the vice president of operations, chief executive officer or managing director. After years of experience, you can become a consultant and become self-employed.
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advantages of finding an operations manager job through randstad
Finding your operations manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an operations manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
The role of an operations manager is multifaceted and requires both industry-specific qualifications and management abilities. For that reason, you should pursue a degree that gives you a fundamental understanding of budgeting, supply chain management and concepts critical to operational efficiency.
- in general, you should consider an undergraduate course in business administration or management and other related fields like finance or supply chain.
- in some industries, you need basic industry sector knowledge to become an operations manager. For example, you need a computer science or engineering background to be qualified for an operations manager role in IT or vehicle assembling businesses.
- since it is a senior role, many companies also require a Master of Business Administration (MBA) for an operations manager position.
skills and competencies
Becoming an operations manager requires expert knowledge and technical skills to navigate the responsibilities. These include:
- leadership skills: as an operations manager, you undertake many managerial duties. You need leadership skills to help you set goals, mentor, motivate and lead other employees. Leadership skills assist in guiding employees and leading by example to ensure the company's objectives are accomplished.
- communications skills: operations managers interact with various stakeholders, from suppliers and customers to top management. Communication skills help you effectively deliver instructions and feedback to different stakeholders.
- organisational skills: as an operations manager, you oversee multiple aspects of a business. Without organisational skills, you cannot accomplish all the tasks at the stipulated time. You need to organise your work and create a timeline for each project to ensure success.
- financial acumen: as an operations manager, you ensure all business operations stick to the set budget. With financial insight, you can evaluate the daily operations of each department and ensure they meet the company's profitability goals without exceeding the budget.
FAQs
FAQs about working as an operations manager
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what do operations managers do?
Operations managers' role is to direct company operations, from production processes to distributions and sales. They track the performance of each department and contribution to the company's goals.
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what is meant by operation manager?
An operations manager is a professional who administers business practices to promote efficiency and performance standards in a company.
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what do operations managers get paid?
Operations managers earn an average salary of £45,000 per year. With experience, the salary increases to over £60,000.
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what is an example of an operational manager?
Examples of operations managers include supply chain coordinators, procurement supervisors and operations coordinators.
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how do you become an operations manager?
Become an operations manager by acquiring a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field. An MBA also increases your career prospects as an operations manager.
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how do I apply for an operations manager vacancy?
Applying for an operations manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
