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What is an operations associate and how to become one

Updated June 25, 2024
6 min read
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An operations associate ensures the smooth functioning of a company's operations. They are responsible for managing aspects of business, including logistics, supply chain, inventory, and quality control. Operations associates work closely with other departments to identify areas for improvement and strategies to optimize efficiency. They also monitor and analyze data to provide recommendations to management and enhance profitability by streamlining operations and ensuring all systems are working as intended.

How long does it takes to become an operations associate?

It typically takes 4-5 years to become an operations associate:

  • Years 1-4: Earning a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as business administration, finance, or supply chain management.
  • Year 5: Gaining work experience in operations-related tasks, such as managing inventory, coordinating with suppliers, or optimizing processes.

ScoreOperations AssociateUS Average
Salary
4.1

Avg. Salary $52,703

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
-

Growth Rate -8%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.43%

Asian 8.83%

Black or African American 6.36%

Hispanic or Latino 9.39%

Unknown 4.56%

White 70.43%

Gender

female 49.77%

male 50.23%

Age - 43
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 - 43
Complexity Level
1.8

Complexity Level is simple

7 - challenging

What are the pros and cons of being an Operations Associate?

Pros

  • Chance to develop problem-solving and analytical skills

  • Collaborative work environment

  • Potential for a high salary and benefits

  • Chance to work with cutting-edge technology and software

  • Opportunity to work with a diverse group of people

Cons

  • Requires strict attention to detail

  • Can be repetitive or monotonous work at times

  • May require dealing with difficult or dissatisfied customers or vendors

  • Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation in some roles

  • Can involve working in a highly regulated industry with strict compliance requirements.

Operations Associate career paths

Operations associates often move into specialist roles, leading teams or managing operations. Some advance to management positions like sales manager or client services manager. Others become vice presidents, overseeing operations or managing finances.

Key steps to become an operations associate

  1. Explore operations associate education requirements

    Most common operations associate degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.5 %

    Associate

    14.2 %

    High School Diploma

    9.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific operations associate skills

    An operations associate needs to be proficient in a variety of tasks. They must prepare the environment for manufacturing, manage daily operations, and perform data entry and filing. They should also be able to process requests, implement corporate actions, and ensure seamless operations support. They must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and be able to handle overflow state and local employer tax issues. They should also be able to manage and monitor various financial reports, review client accounts, and handle cash management.

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service27.92%
    Sales Floor15.56%
    Basic Math13.68%
    Portfolio12.53%
    Work Ethic7.41%
  3. Research operations associate duties and responsibilities

    Operations associates handle a variety of responsibilities. They ensure seamless operations support while maintaining excellent organizational skills. They must be detail-oriented, demonstrated by tasks such as preparing a surgical sterile environment, filing correspondence manually and electronically, and performing data entry. They also need to be flexible and responsive, as seen in customer-facing roles where they handle inquiries and resolve conflicts.

    As Dorothy Zilic, Director of Career Services at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, puts it: "Experience continues to be an important factor when entering the workforce in numerous fields. The majority of employers want to see some kind of related experience, such as an internship, part-time employment, volunteer/service and course-related experiences relevant to their major."

    • Demonstrate ability to manage and organize clinical setting for patients and families.
    • Meet minimum standards for compliance with AML laws and regulations.
    • Organize and complete online LTL shipment orders for customers and vendors.
    • Create new access, removing access, and act as SME for offshore staff.
  4. Prepare your operations associate resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your operations associate 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 an operations associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Operations Associate Resume templates

    Build a professional Operations Associate 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 Operations Associate resume.
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  5. Apply for operations associate jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an operations associate 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 Operations Associate Job

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Average operations associate salary

The average Operations Associate salary in the United States is $52,703 per year or $25 per hour. Operations associate salaries range between $28,000 and $95,000 per year.

Average Operations Associate Salary
$52,703 Yearly
$25.34 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do operations associates rate their job?

5/5

Out of 1 Operations Associate reviews, 100% were positive.

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Based On 1 Ratings

Pay / Salary
4.0
Career Growth
5.0
Work/Life Balance
5.0
Overall Rating
5.0

Operations Associate reviews

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5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2024
Pros

becoming a well-rounded/knowledgeable employee and understanding the operations of a company as a whole.

Cons

constant changing of what your day-to-day tasks will be, lots of multitasking so it can be hard to prioritize which operations need to be done first.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

Being an important COG into the system. The dynamic work flow ensures that you are always well vested into the multiple projects you will assist in facilitating resources too.

Cons

Not too much that I don't like. Learning curve was steep but I'm getting better all the time.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

I love the people I work with, the ability my job give me to think critically, and being challenged to problem solve.

Cons

Work seems to be none-stop sometimes, especially since we are under staff. Work keeps me on my feed, but need to hire more people.


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Updated June 25, 2024

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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