What does a business operations manager do?
Business operations managers are responsible for managing people, project delivery, operations, budget, and strategies to smoothly run the company. Their duties include helping in the production planning process, ensuring that key performance indicators are followed and production targets are achieved. Responsibilities of operation managers include managing stock control and inventory, monitoring budget changes, as well as reporting these changes to relevant parties. Also, they create and monitor teams and projects together with ensuring that health and safety regulations are followed. Additionally, they review workloads and manpower to make sure targets are met.
Business operations manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real business operations manager resumes:
- 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.
- Manage setup and preparation of domestic training facilities and have dotted line oversight of international training facilities.
- Streamline the company's proposal preparation team are and routinely manage the logistics of preparation of multiple complex government contracting proposals.
- Modify the SQL queries (inclusion/exclusion rules) base on the feed back from the clients.
- Provide operational teams with SQL base reports showing overall performance of global voice network and call quality.
- Develop written project management policies and guidelines to include project prioritization and all phases of the SDLC.
- Program manager for enterprise business systems including ERP, CRM, customer support, sales / marketing and product engineering systems.
- Develop operational scorecards from cross functional teams to monitor business units KPIs.
- Develop a well-respect organization, which run at capacity during summer months.
- Develop visualization tools to monitor quarterly forecast and identify risk of missing revenue projections.
- Head initiative to install and administer CRM to generate pipeline review and data analysis.
- Initiate and implement ISO 9001-2000 certification to improve company operations and credibility within the industry.
Business operations manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Business Operations Managers are proficient in Business Operations, Project Management, and Provide Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Business Operations Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Business Operations, 16%
Transitioned new owners in the assimilation of human and capital resources resulting in uninterrupted business operations while maintaining positive employee morale.
- Project Management, 7%
Collaborate with Project Management Team and Government customer to provide relevant financial data necessary for budgetary and sound financial decisions.
- Provide Management, 6%
Provide Management with trend analysis and recommendations to reduce corporate expenditures without impeding employee productivity.
- Customer Service, 6%
Interacted extensively with both retail and industrial customers to identify product needs while improving customer service and reducing order processing times.
- Shared Services, 5%
Led initiatives in successfully building a shared services model supporting numerous service offerings for 7 Institutions, both domestically and internationally.
- Financial Reports, 4%
Perform detailed numerical computations; generate complex financial reports based on analysis and interpretation of financial and personnel data.
Most business operations managers use their skills in "business operations," "project management," and "provide management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential business operations manager responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a business operations manager to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Business operations managers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "supported and coordinated program development, oversight control, communication to support staff and key partners, and data need consultation"
Leadership skills. Many business operations manager duties rely on leadership skills. "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources.," so a business operations manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways business operations manager responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "handpicked to provide financial expertise and leadership that transformed systems lab services business operations. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain business operations manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a business operations manager rely on this skill, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what business operations managers do: "leveraged specialized talents of team to identify, assess and translate business operations requirements into technology and process solutions. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for business operations manager responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of business operations managers 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 business operations manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a business operations manager does: "managed key supply chain ensuring on time delivery and cost reductions that maintained quality. "
The three companies that hire the most business operations managers are:
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Compare different business operations managers
Business operations manager vs. General manager of operations
General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management. They coordinate the primary performance goals for direct reporting functions and set the strategies for the organization. It is their responsibility to communicate strategy as well as results to employees. They also engage with the corporate officers in the strategic planning and development of the organization or enterprise.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a business operations manager are more likely to require skills like "project management," "provide management," "shared services," and "kpis." On the other hand, a job as a general manager of operations requires skills like "develop team," "continuous improvement," "personnel processes," and "training programs." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
General managers of operations tend to reach lower levels of education than business operations managers. In fact, general managers of operations are 5.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Business operations manager vs. Manager of business services
Business Service Managers are administrative professionals who oversee different service-related functions in the company. They manage the teams involved in serving various functions. They ensure proper coordination between these teams. \They carefully allocate resources to cover their bases and ensure that services are available at all times. Business Service Managers prepare and draft policies and guidelines related to company services. They also ensure that these guidelines are properly cascaded and are followed by their constituents.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real business operations manager resumes. While business operations manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "provide management," "kpis," "logistics," and "excellent interpersonal," managers of business services use skills like "cpa," "risk management," "taxation," and "digital marketing."
Managers of business services earn a higher average salary than business operations managers. But managers of business services earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $110,546. Additionally, business operations managers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $114,890 annually.In general, managers of business services achieve similar levels of education than business operations managers. They're 0.2% 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 business operations managers in the next 3-5 years?
Eric Olsen
Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business
Business operations manager vs. Manager, center operations
The duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns. Moreover, there are also instances where they have to produce progress reports, devise strategies for optimal business performance, delegate tasks, and even manage the budget. As a manager, it is crucial to lead and encourage the team to reach goals and sales targets while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, business operations managers are more likely to have skills like "business operations," "provide management," "customer service," and "shared services." But a manager, center operations is more likely to have skills like "infrastructure," "osha," "standard operating procedure," and "quality standards."
Managers, center operations earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $68,400. Business operations managers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $114,890.managers, center operations typically earn lower educational levels compared to business operations managers. Specifically, they're 5.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Business operations manager vs. Group manager
Group Managers are employees who oversee a specific department, team, or any group in the company. They are usually tenured employees or industry experts. Group Managers oversee their team's performance and professional growth. They set clear, strategic goals for the team and create plans to reach these goals. They monitor the achievement of such goals and guide their team along the way. They also manage the team professionally. The coach team members train the employees if there are updates or new strategies and ensure that they remain engaged. They motivate their team to perform well and strive hard to reach group goals.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between business operations managers and group managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a business operations manager might have more use for skills like "business operations," "provide management," "shared services," and "financial reports." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of group managers require skills like "client relationships," "continuous improvement," "quality standards," and "product development. "
The finance industry tends to pay the highest salaries for group managers, with average annual pay of $135,074. Comparatively, the highest business operations manager annual salary comes from the technology industry.The average resume of group managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to business operations managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.9%.Types of business operations manager
Updated January 8, 2025
