What does an internal operations manager do?
An internal operations manager oversees procedures and develops strategies to optimize daily operations. Part of their job is to perform assessments and evaluations, set guidelines and objectives, manage and supervise staff, handle budgets, and delegate tasks among teams. It is also their duty to monitor the progress of procedures, effectively resolving issues or conflicts should there be any. Moreover, as an internal operations manager, it is essential to lead staff to reach goals while implementing and promoting the company's standards and regulations.
Internal operations manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real internal operations manager resumes:
- Manage and support ISO training activities, perform internal assessments and manage special projects including identifying profit improvement opportunities.
- Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
- Coordinate the SOX team's documenting and testing of the key business processes including both information technology application and general controls.
- Perform Sarbanes-Oxley testing on key controls and processes.
- Administer improvements to ERP system and enforcement proper use, reducing staff and vehicles while increasing schedule.
- Provide support and guidance on all SOX requirements and remediation efforts for the business units and senior executives.
- Assist in the annual Sarbanes-Oxley compliance assessment plan, including scoping, overall risk assessment and testing strategy.
- Print direct mail catalog, develop and expand organization's website and e-commerce operation, and implement new donor database program.
- Review and analyze external customer request for proposals (RFP's).
- Support Canada, UK & Asia-Pacific team in assisting them on booking, reporting & understanding deal structures & program agreements.
- Design and engineer station sortation layout to maximize productivity and to integrate new home delivery process in station during holiday season.
Internal operations manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Internal Operations Managers are proficient in Internal Controls, Project Management, and Oversight. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Internal Operations Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Internal Controls, 13%
Advised management on information technology initiatives to improve IT governance and internal controls.
- Project Management, 10%
Instituted a more formalized project management protocol and tracking system for all engineering projects.
- Oversight, 10%
Provided oversight and expertise for internal investigators.
- SOX, 10%
Lead special projects, policy and procedure write-up, business processes evaluation based on US GAAP, SOX 404 and 302.
- External Auditors, 7%
Report and communicate assessment results to appropriate parties, such as management, external auditors, and audit committee.
- Internal Audit, 6%
Assembled internal audits teams for review of approved accounting practices and operational requirements.
"internal controls," "project management," and "oversight" are among the most common skills that internal operations managers use at work. You can find even more internal operations manager responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an internal operations manager to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what internal operations managers do because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, an internal operations manager resume shows how internal operations managers use communication skills: "motivate staff by providing environment conducive to open communication and opportunities for professional development. "
Leadership skills. Many internal 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 an internal operations manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways internal operations manager responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "presented audit findings to both local and executive leadership. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain internal operations manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of an internal 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 internal operations managers do: "designed testing requirements with internal/external auditors and remediated any significant findings and integrate solutions. "
Time-management skills. A commonly-found skill in internal operations manager job descriptions, "time-management skills" is essential to what internal operations managers do. Internal operations manager responsibilities rely on this skill because "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." You can also see how internal operations manager duties rely on time-management skills in this resume example: "spearheaded the site selection, design development and project management activities for new distribution sites completed on time and within budget. "
The three companies that hire the most internal operations managers are:
- iHeartMedia51 internal operations managers jobs
- Deloitte47 internal operations managers jobs
- Discover12 internal operations managers jobs
Compare different internal operations managers
Internal operations manager vs. Assistant manager of operations
An assistant operations manager is responsible for supervising staff performance and operation processes under the guidance of an operations manager. The assistant operations manager ensures the efficiency and accuracy of project management to boost client satisfaction, drive revenues, and achieve the company's objectives and profitability goals. They also help with developing strategic procedures to increase productivity and identify business opportunities to build a strong company reputation. An assistant operations manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially when meeting with existing and potential clients, close partnerships, and lead teams towards project goals.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, internal operations manager responsibilities require skills like "internal controls," "project management," "oversight," and "sox." Meanwhile a typical assistant manager of operations has skills in areas such as "sales floor," "front end," "cash handling," and "store associates." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Assistant managers of operations tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $65,818. In contrast, internal operations managers make the biggest average salary, $115,716, in the finance industry.The education levels that assistant managers of operations earn slightly differ from internal operations managers. In particular, assistant managers of operations are 6.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an internal operations manager. Additionally, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Internal 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, internal operations manager responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "internal controls," "oversight," "external auditors," and "internal audit." Meanwhile, a manager, center operations has duties that require skills in areas such as "infrastructure," "osha," "standard operating procedure," and "quality standards." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, managers, center operations earn a lower salary than internal operations managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, managers, center operations earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $68,400. Whereas internal operations managers have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $115,716.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Managers, center operations tend to reach similar levels of education than internal operations managers. In fact, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for internal operations managers in the next 3-5 years?
Eric Olsen
Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business
Internal 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, internal operations managers are more likely to have skills like "internal controls," "project management," "sox," and "external auditors." But a general manager of operations is more likely to have skills like "develop team," "logistics," "payroll," and "continuous improvement."
General managers of operations typically earn similar educational levels compared to internal operations managers. Specifically, they're 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Internal operations manager vs. Regional general manager
Regional General Managers are assigned to lead company operations in a specific region. Their assignments are based on their skills or company needs. They handle the performance of company stores, outlets, or offices in their assigned region. Regional General Managers need to have some experience related to their area of assignment or at least be familiar with it. This would help them acclimate to the business landscape in the area. This would also help them in creating business strategies that cater to the regional context. They are expected to have high business acumen and to be strategic decision-makers.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between internal operations managers and regional general managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an internal operations manager might have more use for skills like "internal controls," "project management," "sox," and "external auditors." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of regional general managers require skills like "financial performance," "customer satisfaction," "performance management," and "osha. "
The government industry tends to pay the highest salaries for regional general managers, with average annual pay of $93,984. Comparatively, the highest internal operations manager annual salary comes from the finance industry.The average resume of regional general managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to internal operations managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 4.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.6%.Types of internal operations manager
Updated January 8, 2025
