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What does an associate manager-operations do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Eric Olsen

An associate operations manager is responsible for overseeing the efficiency and development of the operational processes of the team under the supervision of the head operations manager. Associate operations managers develop strategic procedures to maximize productivity and ensure high-quality deliverables. They also handle the allocation of budget, administering adequacy of resources to support business operations for clients' satisfaction. An associate operations manager should have excellent leadership and communication skills, assisting the team on inquiries and concerns, as well as resolving production complaints.

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Associate manager-operations responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate manager-operations resumes:

  • Monitor corporate admin operations and manage team members with KPI and COE.
  • Develop forecasting tool for entire center, resulting in minimal staffing gaps and achieving all client SLA s during peak season.
  • Manage payroll using company software system.
  • Manage quality improvement initiatives for areas of responsibility and ensure compliance with HIPAA indicators and other worker's compensation mandate standards.
  • Change orders, salon tip outs, supply pay outs . )
  • Handle SQL L1 team for Johnson and Johnson project.
  • Reduce production costs by developing QA procedures that minimize late changes while on press.
  • Lead document management activities to ensure policies and procedures are follow and practices comply with FDA regulations.
  • Provide product application expertise for vinyl siding, steel siding, vinyl windows, soffit and fascia products, and other.
  • Develop and implement improvements to QA including checklists and department protocols.
  • Manage quality improvement initiatives for areas of responsibility and ensure compliance with HIPAA indicators and other worker's compensation mandate standards.
  • Implement maintenance schedule to ensure compliance with all OSHA and EPA regulations.
  • Work with law enforcement to apprehend shoplifters base off direct observation, camera systems, and POS register systems.
  • Manage the order flow via direct communication, major customers such as Costco, Sam's/Wal-Mart.

Associate manager-operations skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of Associate Managers-Operations are proficient in Customer Service, Project Management, and Payroll. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.

We break down the percentage of Associate Managers-Operations that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 17%

    Provided excellent customer service resulting in a positive and long term professional relationship with various local businesses.

  • Project Management, 14%

    Implemented project management best practices in Government Programs department resulting in successful project outcomes.

  • Payroll, 6%

    Managed payroll using company software system.

  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%

    Resolved daily service issues regarding Customer satisfaction to maintain, grow and improve Client relationships for overall satisfaction.

  • Sops, 4%

    Prepared reports, SOPs and budgetary justifications.

  • Digital Marketing, 4%

    Manage health care channel digital marketing campaigns.

"customer service," "project management," and "payroll" are among the most common skills that associate managers-operations use at work. You can find even more associate manager-operations responsibilities below, including:

Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an associate manager-operations to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Associate managers-operations often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "managed communication flow to us sales and customer service. "

Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling associate manager-operations duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." According to an associate manager-operations resume, here's how associate managers-operations can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "maintain accountability for sales floor leadership, using key business and financial indicators to monitor individual and team progress. "

Problem-solving skills. associate manager-operations responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." This resume example shows what associate managers-operations do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "research and collaborate with the out of guidelines representatives to reach a solution in compliance with the company and the fda. "

Time-management skills. Another common skill required for associate manager-operations responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of associate managers-operations all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real associate manager-operations resume shows how this skill is central to what an associate manager-operations does: "experience of meeting deadlines to make sure resets and floor sets are done while not compromising customer service or driving sales. "

See the full list of associate manager-operations skills

Compare different associate managers-operations

Associate manager-operations vs. Operations manager, district

A district operations manager is a managerial professional who manages the daily operations of stores within the assigned district as well as provides support to managers in ensuring quality and budget performance. The district operations manager must work with the store management to create and implement action plans to address deficiencies discovered during a store audit. They are required to evaluate areas of operational concern and provide support during the implementation of solutions. District operations managers must also create a cooperative environment between operations and sales departments to motivate all employees to enhance customer service.

If we compare the average associate manager-operations annual salary with that of an operations manager, district, we find that operations managers, district typically earn a $6,914 lower salary than associate managers-operations make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both associate manager-operations and operations manager, district positions are skilled in payroll, customer satisfaction, and inventory management.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, associate manager-operations responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "project management," "plumbing," and "sops." Meanwhile a typical operations manager, district has skills in areas such as "oversight," "performance management," "succession planning," and "team training." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Operations managers, district really shine in the retail industry with an average salary of $87,812. Comparatively, associate managers-operations tend to make the most money in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $97,309.operations managers, district tend to reach similar levels of education than associate managers-operations. In fact, operations managers, district are 4.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Associate manager-operations vs. Operations support manager

Operations Support Managers are employees who handle different support initiatives for the employees or operations-related departments. These support initiatives may come in people management and upskilling, IT infrastructure assistance, or process improvement, among others. Operations Support Managers must have a deep understanding of company operations and the employees' needs. They manage processes and standards to ensure that company operations are fully supported and will not be disrupted. They resolve concerns and anticipate problems that may come. They can plan and create safeguards to ensure that such problems will not arise in the future.

On average, operations support managers earn a $8,758 lower salary than associate managers-operations a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both associate managers-operations and operations support managers have skills such as "customer service," "project management," and "payroll. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real associate manager-operations resumes. While associate manager-operations responsibilities can utilize skills like "plumbing," "sops," "digital marketing," and "fda," operations support managers use skills like "human resources," "professional development," "support operations," and "post implementation."

Operations support managers earn a lower average salary than associate managers-operations. But operations support managers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $68,847. Additionally, associate managers-operations earn the highest salaries in the pharmaceutical with average pay of $97,309 annually.In general, operations support managers achieve similar levels of education than associate managers-operations. They're 1.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for associate manager-operationss in the next 3-5 years?

Eric OlsenEric Olsen LinkedIn profile

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

We are doubling down on what we call "digital fabrication." Most manufacturing technologies we deal with now have a growing digital component that our students need to understand and be competent in. Of course, that means current hot exotics like additive manufacturing, but our students need to look at any process and realize there is probably a digitally enhanced path forward.

Associate manager-operations vs. Operations program manager

The role of operations program managers is to help improve organizational efficiency, particularly in the areas of administrative, financial, and programmatic operations. Their key duties and responsibilities include overseeing the collection, analysis, and reporting of data, overseeing and leading teams to achieve business goals, and managing the development and execution of operational procedures. In addition, they are responsible for developing and monitoring dashboards to measure business health and assisting with planning, reporting, and budgeting.

On average scale, operations program managers bring in higher salaries than associate managers-operations. In fact, they earn a $22,890 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on associate managers-operations and operations program managers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "customer service," "project management," and "customer satisfaction.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from associate manager-operations resumes include skills like "payroll," "plumbing," "sops," and "inventory management," whereas an operations program manager is more likely to list skills in "program management," "continuous improvement," "infrastructure," and "logistics. "

Operations program managers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $109,929. On the other hand, associate managers-operations are paid the highest salary in the pharmaceutical industry, with average annual pay of $97,309.operations program managers typically earn higher educational levels compared to associate managers-operations. Specifically, they're 7.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate manager-operations vs. Co-manager

A co-manager's role is to supervise business operations and perform administrative tasks as support to a manager. One of the primary functions of a co-manager is to delegate tasks of team members and arrange schedules. They also evaluate progress, produce the necessary documentation, maintain a record of data, identify issues and opportunities, and assist in coordinating with other employees. A co-manager may also have the task of hiring and training new workforce members, enforcing policies and regulations at all times.

Co-managers tend to earn a lower pay than associate managers-operations by an average of $23,526 per year.While both associate managers-operations and co-managers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, payroll, and customer satisfaction, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "project management," "plumbing," "sops," and "digital marketing" are skills that commonly show up on associate manager-operations resumes. On the other hand, co-managers use skills like food safety, loss prevention, perform routine maintenance, and sales floor on their resumes.In general, co-managers earn the most working in the retail industry, with an average salary of $64,497. The highest-paying industry for an associate manager-operations is the pharmaceutical industry.In general, co-managers hold lower degree levels compared to associate managers-operations. Co-managers are 6.7% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of associate manager-operations

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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