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What is a customer service/operations manager and how to become one

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

Customer service/operations managers fulfill two duties: address the customers and help them with the company's products and services, whilst also implementing the right processes and practices across the organization for efficiency and profitability.

Some of the duties and responsibilities that they perform in this hybrid capacity include ensuring that operations are carried out in a cost-effective way, responding promptly to customer inquiries, purchasing materials and planning inventory to ensure warehouse efficiency, and ensuring customer satisfaction and providing professional customer support. Essential skills that applicants will need to fully justify this position include interpersonal, customer service, organizational, communication, and leadership.

Although a high school diploma may suffice, a bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a similar field would be advantageous. Moreover, prior work experience in similar positions is also desirable. The average hourly pay for this position is $34.59, which amounts to over $71,000 annually. The career is projected to grow and create new job opportunities across the United States, in the near future.

What general advice would you give to a customer service/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.
ScoreCustomer Service/Operations ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.4

Avg. Salary $69,350

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 6.37%

Black or African American 6.18%

Hispanic or Latino 15.19%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.45%

Gender

female 49.80%

male 50.20%

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

Customer service/operations manager career paths

Key steps to become a customer service/operations manager

  1. Explore customer service/operations manager education requirements

    Most common customer service/operations manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    56.2 %

    Associate

    19.2 %

    High School Diploma

    13.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific customer service/operations manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Satisfaction10.50%
    ISO6.70%
    Logistics6.42%
    Customer Service6.32%
    Payroll5.14%
  3. Complete relevant customer service/operations manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New customer service/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 customer service/operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real customer service/operations manager resumes.
  4. Research customer service/operations manager duties and responsibilities

    • Coordinate and participate with the installation teams to help troubleshoot problems and resolve customer concerns while managing service and commissioning engineers.
    • Develop and implement the department's call QA process and monitoring form.
    • Develop and improve business practices for customer service, support, field operations and QA operations.
    • Present information to upper management and key leaders in the organization via PowerPoint and teleconference services that are engaging and forward-thinking.
  5. Apply for customer service/operations manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a customer service/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 customer service/operations manager job

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Average customer service/operations manager salary

The average customer service/operations manager salary in the United States is $69,350 per year or $33 per hour. Customer service/operations manager salaries range between $48,000 and $98,000 per year.

Average customer service/operations manager salary
$69,350 Yearly
$33.34 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do customer service/operations managers rate their job?

-/5

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Customer service/operations manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

Supporting and interacting with the customers

Cons

I don’t like escalations from the customers


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Pros

I have leadership skills I always hire employees who like to work in a team I like to see sales increase and love to see the best customer service is given

Cons

In reality, i do not complain as its who i am


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Pros

Educating employees and getting everyone on the same mindset about what it takes for a company to succeed.

Cons

I don't like it when moral is low and nothing seems to perk employees up to become more productive at work.


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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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