Post job

What is a business operations manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Eric Olsen,
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
introduction image

Business operations managers are key personnel in any company, large or small, operating in any industry type. They are the ones who coordinate the work of various departments, keeping their eyes on the big picture.

As a business operations manager, you will be responsible for hiring and firing people, drawing up budgets, and making sure expenses do not go overboard. You will negotiate contracts and analyze reports assembled by department heads to get a clear idea about the company's activities' efficiency.

What 'operations' means exactly varies from company to company. It is an expression referring to whatever needs to be done to keep the ship afloat. Landing this position means you are moving up in the world, but you will need ample experience and a clear insight into running a business to stay on top of your responsibilities.

What general advice would you give to a business operations manager?

Eric OlsenEric Olsen LinkedIn profile

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

Times of change are also times of great opportunities. We are going to need new technical solutions to address problems we are just learning about. You have to lean into the issues. Don't be a technologist - be a problem solver. That is why we also emphasize soft skills like lean six sigma, teamwork, and change management.
ScoreBusiness Operations ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.1

Avg. Salary $91,511

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.44%

Black or African American 6.27%

Hispanic or Latino 15.49%

Unknown 4.35%

White 66.98%

Gender

female 46.82%

male 53.18%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Business operations manager career paths

Key steps to become a business operations manager

  1. Explore business operations manager education requirements

    Most common business operations manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    68.4 %

    Master's

    16.2 %

    Associate

    10.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific business operations manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Business Operations15.92%
    Project Management7.43%
    Provide Management5.85%
    Customer Service5.57%
    Shared Services4.81%
  3. Complete relevant business operations manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New business operations managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a business operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real business operations manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional business operations manager certifications

    Business operations manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific business operations manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for business operations managers include Six Sigma Green Belt and Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research business operations manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the accomplishment of KPI s require by the customer in the different mine operations.
    • Manage transformation process of automating transactions through web for retailers as against conventional method of using the POS terminal.
    • Manage performance KPI's to surpass the goals of first contact resolution, productivity, and quality of service.
    • Implement automated processes to manage enhancement projects from request through production release through SDLC methodologies.
  6. Prepare your business operations manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your business operations manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a business operations manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable business operations manager resume templates

    Build a professional business operations manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your business operations manager resume.
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
    Business Operations Manager Resume
  7. Apply for business operations manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a business operations manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first business operations manager job

Zippi

Are you a business operations manager?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average business operations manager salary

The average business operations manager salary in the United States is $91,511 per year or $44 per hour. Business operations manager salaries range between $58,000 and $144,000 per year.

Average business operations manager salary
$91,511 Yearly
$44.00 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do business operations managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Business operations manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Cons

The length of travel at times


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

I love being able to mold my team and the distribution center to the culture of respect and accountability! Having senior and executive leadership support is a huge positive factor in making this happen!!

Cons

Long hours and calls outside of regular business hours are the norm!


Working as a business operations manager? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Business operations manager FAQs

Search for business operations manager jobs

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.

Browse executive management jobs