What Is an Operations Manager? A 2024 Career Guide

What does an operations manager do?

Operations managers make sure an organization and its operations run as smoothly and efficiently as possible at every level. Operations managers work in a wide variety of industries, including retail, health care, finance, insurance, and manufacturing. Duties vary depending on the needs and size of the organization. As an operations manager, your responsibilities might include:

• Overseeing the production of goods and services

• Planning the distribution of resources and materials 

• Making sure every department meets its goals and key milestones

• Preparing and overseeing budgets

• Managing human resources, including personnel documentation, staff communications, and performance reviews

• Formulating company policies and ensuring compliance

• Helping an organization's processes remain legally compliant

• Performing quality control and assurance on production

• Examine financial data and analyze it to improve profits

Operations management vs. supply chain management

Operations management differs from supply chain management in that it is concerned with internal operations, whereas supply chain deals with external operations like the flow of goods from overseas factories to warehouses.

Read more: What Does a Supply Chain Manager Do? (And How to Become One)

Watch this video from the Wharton School's Introduction to Operations Management course.

Continue reading to discover the salary of an operations manager and the steps to becoming an operations manager.

Operations manager salary and job outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average annual wage for general and operations managers in the US is $122,860. Salaries can differ significantly depending on your industry, responsibilities, location, and level of experience. Some industries where the median annual wage is higher than average include [1]:

• Professional, scientific, and technical services: $163,090

• Management of companies and enterprises: $185,320

• Computer systems design and related services: 156,270

How to become an operations manager

If you’re interested in building a career as an operations manager, these steps can help set you firmly on the path. 

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree in a business-related field.

Most employers look for candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in a business-related field, like management or business administration. According to Zippia, 62 percent of operations managers have a bachelor's degree, and 17 percent have an associate degree [2]. Your education should focus on developing technical skills like mathematical modeling and statistics, along with workplace skills like organizational behavior and leadership. Key courses might include financial accounting, business communication, and management principles.

2. Gain experience in entry-level and junior roles.

Operations manager jobs typically require a few years of professional experience in a management or supervisory role. Start with an entry-level role in the business world to build your skill set, expand your business knowledge, and make connections that could later help you advance your career. Some job titles include retail manager, customer service representative, business operations analyst, and project manager.

As you advance, look for managerial roles in retail, supply chain, or finance, where you can gain valuable leadership experience.

3. Consider getting a master’s degree.

According to Zippia, 9 percent of operations managers have a master's degree [2]. Getting a master’s degree isn’t an absolute must, but you may find in your job search that employers prefer operations manager candidates with advanced degrees. Look for master's degree programs that include courses in supply chain management, project management, and business ethics to gain skills in key business functions.

Read more: Master’s in Management vs. MBA: Which Is Better?

4. Get certified.

An industry-specific credential may give you a competitive edge by validating your essential skills to potential employers. Some certifications to consider include: 

• International Association for Six Sigma Certification

• ITIL by Axelos

• Institute of Certified Professional Manager (ICPM) Certified Manager 

• Certified Supply Chain Professional

• Certification in Production and Inventory Management 

• Certified Program Management Professional

Prepare for the Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Green Belt, or Black Belt certification exam with Specializations from the University System of Georgia.

5. Build skills.

To be an effective operations manager, you'll need strong leadership skills. Being a leader means identifying and resolving issues that prevent teams from meeting their goals, monitoring operations without micromanaging, and encouraging team members are encouraged to perform at their best. Leaders help employees and teams stay motivated, and they supply them with the tools and confidence to succeed.

In addition, a good operations manager is able to multi-task and oversee many moving parts. Using critical thinking and excellent communication skills, an operations manager is good at conflict management and should be able to address sensitive issues to keep everything running efficiently.

Consider learning how to use different operations management systems, so that you can increase your efficiency in an operations manager role and make powerful decisions within your team. Examples of these software programs include:

• ClickUp

• Connecteam

• Scoro

Read more: 10 Career Tips from Women in Leadership

Find a mentor

A big part of your role in this job will be mentoring new employees and providing outstanding leadership. One excellent way to learn how to lead by example while also getting a good feel for what the job is like is by finding a mentor to guide you. This relationship can provide guidance or connections when it’s time to apply for a leadership job yourself. 

6. Enhance your resume.

Take the time to customize your resume to the job you’re applying for with rich, impact-led experiences. Potential employers often filter the resumes they receive through an automated applicant tracking system, or ATS, which is why it’s important to include relevant keywords found in the job description, certifications, or memberships in professional organizations. 

Read more: 10 Ways to Enhance Your Resume

7. Prepare for the interview.

Potential employers are going to ask you key questions to gauge how you'll perform in your role as an operations manager. For example, you might be asked to talk about how you'd motivate an employee who resists change or about the experience you have negotiating contracts with suppliers. Taking time to prepare now will help you feel more confident when you’re sitting in front of an interviewer. 

Read more: 11 Leadership Interview Questions to Help You Prepare

Learn operations management from UPenn Wharton

Start making progress toward your goals by building a strong educational foundation. If you’re just getting familiar with operations management as a career option, consider taking a course like Introduction to Operations Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, part of their Business Foundations Specialization.