Become An Operations Manager

Where do you want to work?

To get started, tell us where you'd like to work.

Sorry, we can't find that. Please try a different city or state.

Working As An Operations Manager

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Getting Information
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Deal with People
Make Decisions
Stressful
$76,000
Average Salary

What Does An Operations Manager Do

An operations manager is responsible for the management concerned with designing and controlling the process of production and redesigning business operations in the production of goods or services.

How To Become An Operations Manager

Although education and training requirements vary widely by position and industry, many top executives have at least a bachelor’s degree and a considerable amount of work experience.

Education

Many top executives have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration or in an area related to their field of work. Top executives in the public sector often have a degree in business administration, public administration, law, or the liberal arts. Top executives of large corporations often have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA).

College presidents and school superintendents are typically required to have a master’s degree, although a doctorate is often preferred.

Although many mayors, governors, or other public sector executives have at least a bachelor’s degree, these positions typically do not have any specific education requirements.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Many top executives advance within their own firm, moving up from lower level managerial or supervisory positions. However, other companies may prefer to hire qualified candidates from outside their organization. Top executives who are promoted from lower level positions may be able to substitute experience for education to move up in the company. For example, in industries such as retail trade or transportation, workers without a college degree may work their way up to higher levels within the company to become executives or general managers.

Chief executives typically need extensive managerial experience. Executives are also expected to have experience in the organization’s area of specialty. Most general and operations managers hired from outside an organization need lower level supervisory or management experience in a related field.

Some general managers advance to higher level managerial or executive positions. Company training programs, executive development programs, and certification can often benefit managers or executives hoping to advance.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Top executives must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively. They must effectively discuss issues and negotiate with others, direct subordinates, and explain their policies and decisions to those within and outside the organization.

Decisionmaking skills. Top executives need decisionmaking skills when setting policies and managing an organization. They must assess different options and choose the best course of action, often daily.

Leadership skills. Top executives must be able to lead an organization successfully by coordinating policies, people, and resources.

Management skills. Top executives must shape and direct the operations of an organization. For example, they must manage business plans, employees, and budgets.

Problem-solving skills. Top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization. They must be able to recognize shortcomings and effectively carry out solutions.

Time-management skills. Top executives do many tasks at the same time, typically under their own direction, to ensure that their work gets done and that they meet their goals.

Show Less

Operations Manager jobs

Add To My Jobs

Operations Manager Career Paths

Operations Manager

Territory Manager Account Manager

Area Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Program Director Service Director

Director Of Food And Beverage

9 Yearsyrs

Human Resources Coordinator Human Resources Manager

Director Of Human Resources

10 Yearsyrs

Purchasing Manager

Director Of Purchasing

10 Yearsyrs

Distribution Center Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Plant Manager General Manager

District Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Assistant Director Director Of Food And Beverage

Food Service Director

9 Yearsyrs

General Manager

7 Yearsyrs

Human Resources Coordinator Human Resources Generalist

Human Resources Business Partner

10 Yearsyrs

Plant Manager

Manufacturing Director

14 Yearsyrs

Branch Manager General Manager

Operations Director

9 Yearsyrs

General Manager Operations Director

President Of Operations

11 Yearsyrs

Service Director Assistant General Manager

Restaurant General Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Human Resources Manager

Senior Human Resources Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Project Manager Program Manager

Senior Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Senior Operations Manager

9 Yearsyrs

Account Executive Sales/Marketing

Vice President & General Manager

12 Yearsyrs

Branch Manager Assistant Vice President

Vice President And Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Purchasing Manager Plant Manager

Vice President Of Manufacturing

14 Yearsyrs

Account Executive Director Of Sales

Vice President Of Sales & Operations

12 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Operations Vice President 5.3 years
President Of Operations 4.8 years
General Manager Of Operations 4.7 years
Director/Operations Manager 4.5 years
Service Operations Manager 4.4 years
Division Manager 4.3 years
Corporate Operations Manager 4.3 years
Section Manager 4.3 years
Senior Operations Manager 4.2 years
Operations Management Specialist 4.2 years
Operations Manager/Coordinator 4.0 years
Customer Operations Manager 4.0 years
Regional Operation Manager 4.0 years
Operations Manager 4.0 years
Area Operations Manager 4.0 years
Business Operations Manager 3.9 years
Operations/Quality Manager 3.8 years
Area Manager 3.8 years
Corporate Manager 3.8 years
Operations Project Manager 3.7 years
Field Operation Manager 3.7 years
Executive Director Of Operations 3.7 years
Director Of Field Operations 3.6 years
Assistant Manager Of Operations 3.4 years
Operations Support Manager 3.4 years
Special Projects Manager 3.1 years
Site Operations Manager 3.1 years

Top Careers Before Operations Manager

Top Careers After Operations Manager

Operations Manager Demographics

Gender

Male
67.1%
Female
31.1%
Unknown
1.7%

Ethnicity

White
79.5%
Hispanic or Latino
10.8%
Asian
7.1%
Unknown
1.9%
Black or African American
0.7%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
54.0%
French
8.0%
German
4.1%
Portuguese
3.9%
Chinese
3.4%
Italian
3.4%
Arabic
3.3%
Mandarin
3.0%
Carrier
3.0%
Russian
2.7%
Japanese
2.0%
Korean
2.0%
Hindi
1.8%
Cantonese
1.2%
Urdu
1.0%
Greek
0.8%
Vietnamese
0.8%
Polish
0.7%
Dakota
0.5%
Tagalog
0.5%

Operations Manager

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Operations Manager Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
28.4%
Michigan State University
5.0%
Liberty University
4.9%
University of Houston
4.4%
Ashford University
4.2%
Pennsylvania State University
4.0%
Arizona State University
4.0%
Southern New Hampshire University
4.0%
American InterContinental University
4.0%
Northeastern University
3.9%
University of Central Florida
3.5%
Purdue University
3.5%
Villanova University
3.4%
Strayer University
3.4%
Texas A&M University
3.3%
Community College of the Air Force
3.3%
Webster University
3.3%
Auburn University
3.2%
Troy University
3.2%
University of North Texas
3.1%

Majors

Degrees

Bachelors
42.9%
Other
23.9%
Masters
17.9%
Associate
9.3%
Certificate
3.8%
Doctorate
1.0%
Diploma
0.8%
License
0.4%

Operations Manager

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Job type you want

Full Time

Part Time

Internship

Temporary

Real Operations Manager Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Operations Manager	MR. Keet, LLC	New York, NY	Sep 15, 2016	$300,000
Nsod Intergrated Operations Manager	Conocophillips Company	Anchorage, AK	Feb 02, 2015	$289,400 - $434,200
Operations Manager	Pratt Industries, Inc.	Conyers, GA	Feb 12, 2016	$255,000 - $750,000
Manager, Operations	Gulf Pine Energy, LP	Columbus, MS	Sep 09, 2016	$250,000
Manager, U.S. Operations	Gulf Pine Energy, LP	Columbus, MS	Sep 01, 2015	$250,000
Principal Manager, PSL Operations	Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.	Conroe, TX	May 18, 2015	$232,196
Principal Manager, PSL Operations	Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.	Conroe, TX	May 27, 2015	$232,196
Latin America Operations Manager	Cressi-Sub USA, Inc.	Saddle Brook, NJ	Mar 11, 2016	$227,178
Head of Strategy and Operations (Sales Operations Manager)	Google Inc.	Mountain View, CA	Jun 15, 2015	$225,000
Operations Manager	Riversdale Alaska LLC	Anchorage, AK	Apr 17, 2016	$225,000
Operations Manager	Riversdale Alaska LLC	Anchorage, AK	Apr 17, 2015	$225,000
General and Operations Managers	HCL America Inc.	Jersey City, NJ	Apr 02, 2016	$224,078
Manager, Regulatory Operations	Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.	Novato, CA	Jun 01, 2015	$100,500 - $130,000
Operations Manager	Penton Learning Systems LLC	Tampa, FL	Aug 18, 2016	$100,069
Pathways Operations Manager	Golden State FC LLC	Tracy, CA	Aug 16, 2016	$100,000 - $135,000
Pathways Operations Manager	Amazon.Com.DEDC, LLC	Robbinsville, NJ	Sep 22, 2015	$100,000 - $135,000
Pathways Operations Manager	Amazon.Com.DEDC, LLC	Sumner, WA	Jun 26, 2015	$100,000 - $135,000
Pathways Operations Manager	Golden State FC LLC	San Bernardino, CA	Sep 12, 2015	$100,000 - $135,000
Pathways Operations Manager	Golden State FC LLC	Patterson, CA	Mar 10, 2016	$100,000 - $135,000
Operations Manager	Veroblue Farms USA, Inc.	Webster City, IA	Oct 15, 2016	$100,000
Manager Operations	Igate Technologies Inc.	Stamford, CT	Apr 01, 2015	$82,800
Manager Operations	Igate Technologies Inc.	Stamford, CT	Mar 24, 2015	$82,800
Manager Operations	Igate Technologies Inc.	Stamford, CT	Jun 26, 2015	$82,800
Operations Manager	Kittleson Real Estate Team, Inc.	Madison, WI	Jul 12, 2016	$82,722
Healthcare Operations Manager	Deso Consulting LLC	New York, NY	Dec 23, 2016	$82,666
Operations Manager	Om Shiva Enterprises Inc.	Belle Vernon, PA	Sep 16, 2015	$82,622
Medical Operations Manager	Sports Medicine at Chelsea PLLC	New York, NY	Jan 07, 2016	$82,437
Operations Manager	SPP Pumps Inc.	Norcross, GA	May 29, 2015	$82,400 - $100,000

No Results

To get more results, try adjusting your search by changing your filters.

Top Skills for An Operations Manager

Top Operations Manager Skills

Procedures
Customer Service
Safety

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Reviewed processes and procedures regularly looking for new and innovative ways to improve efficiency
Down trained associates in sales techniques and customer service and retention.
Administered payroll/benefits, assembly line and OSHA safety procedures.
Supervised 18 personnel in Access Control section assigned to various US Army units assigned to Victory Base Complex, Iraq.
Managed and led operations that included performance management, organizational development, employment compliance, employee relations, payroll management.