How To Become A Business Process Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a business process manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Jaunelle Celaire

Business process managers are industry specialists hired to improve business processes. They evaluate existing processes, analyze and monitor implemented changes to business processes and make adjustments accordingly. Also, they determine and highlight business process improvements. Additionally, they develop and implement strategies to improve business processes with internal stakeholders. Asides from that, they perform analyses on business processes based on productivity, quality, costs, and time management and present progress reports and integrate feedback.

A bachelor's degree in business management, project management, or a related field is enough to get the job. However, some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree. Applicants must have at least two years of experience in business process management. Skills such as leadership, problem-solving, time management, collaboration, organization, analytical, and communication skills would help you succeed in this role. The annual salary of business process managers ranges from $77,566 to $109,911, with the average base salary being $90,991.

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

Jaunelle Celaire

Chair, Professor of Voice, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Leadership - the world needs more of these; the ability to lead, craft and grow. Digital literacy - this world is definitely turning digital and virtual is the new trend. Emotional intelligence - there is a vast number of personalities in our world today; individuals grow and it is our job to stay emotionally connected, so we can operate more effectively.

ScoreBusiness Process ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $103,800

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 6.42%

Black or African American 6.25%

Hispanic or Latino 15.41%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.11%

Gender

female 41.88%

male 58.12%

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

Key steps to become a business process manager

Explore business process manager education requirements

Most common business process manager degrees

Bachelor's

69.1 %

Master's

21.2 %

Associate

6.3 %

Start to develop specific business process manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Business Development	11.14%
Lean Six Sigma	10.63%
Project Management	9.86%
Business Management	6.62%
Continuous Improvement	5.59%

Complete relevant business process manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New business process 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 process manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real business process manager resumes.

Gain additional business process manager certifications

Business process 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 process manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for business process managers include Six Sigma Green Belt and Project Management Professional (PMP).

More About Certifications

Research business process manager duties and responsibilities

Manage and set up key manufacturing ERP and MRP inputs such as bill of materials (BOM) and routes.
Manage private fleet operations including safety performance and logistics quality management.
Implement and manage corporate SharePoint site increasing employee communications and document sharing.
Manage a portfolio of inpatient and outpatient products market to major academic medical centers, community hospitals and nursing homes.

Prepare your business process manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your business process 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 process 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 process manager resume templates

Build a professional business process 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 process manager resume.