How to hire an operations manager

How to hire an operations manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step operations manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an operations manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new operations manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an operations manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an operations manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an operations manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an operations manager that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of operations managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Operations Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Operations Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$22-59
   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... Show more	$23-79
   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... Show more	$18-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Logistics
   • Continuous Improvement
   • Payroll
   • Project Management
   • Process Improvement
   • Oversight
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • ISO
   • Direct Reports
   • PowerPoint
   • Human Resources
   • Financial Statements
   • Inventory Management

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and lead operations that include performance management, organizational development, employment compliance, employee relations, payroll management.
   • Manage 2HVAC system retrofit replacement teams.
   • Manage all invoices, A/P, A/R and other accounting duties.
   • Manage computer operation teams supporting propriety and DoD programs at the Lewisville site.
   • Manage 45 person division and day to day operations of scheduling, communications, A/R, A/P and customer care.
   • Manage the export booking and documentation department ensuring smooth on-time delivery.

   More operations manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your operations manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An operations manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, operations managers' average salary in arkansas is 60% less than in delaware.
   • Seniority. Entry-level operations managers 62% less than senior-level operations managers.
   • Certifications. An operations manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an operations manager's salary.

   Average operations manager salary

   $76,894yearly

   $36.97 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level operations manager salary

   $47,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average operations manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$107,162	$52
   2	New York	$102,034	$49
   3	District of Columbia	$101,074	$49
   4	New Jersey	$100,630	$48
   5	Massachusetts	$94,462	$45
   6	Washington	$90,852	$44
   7	Virginia	$90,526	$44
   8	Maryland	$86,647	$42
   9	Minnesota	$84,315	$41
   10	Pennsylvania	$83,345	$40
   11	Michigan	$83,150	$40
   12	Ohio	$82,279	$40
   13	Illinois	$80,281	$39
   14	Nevada	$77,625	$37
   15	North Carolina	$76,937	$37
   16	Colorado	$75,117	$36
   17	Indiana	$73,439	$35
   18	Oregon	$72,724	$35
   19	Arizona	$70,723	$34
   20	Maine	$68,095	$33

   Average operations manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	McKinsey & Company Inc	$179,785	$86.44	2
   2	Boston Consulting Group	$168,206	$80.87	2
   3	Meta	$151,621	$72.89	179
   4	VMware	$149,758	$72.00
   5	WEC Energy Group	$149,673	$71.96	1
   6	Airbnb	$144,190	$69.32	2
   7	IXL Center	$144,106	$69.28
   8	Roku	$143,443	$68.96	3
   9	Apple	$142,695	$68.60	40
   10	Google	$141,868	$68.21	117
   11	BP America Inc	$140,442	$67.52	8
   12	Western Digital	$139,885	$67.25	1
   13	Chevron	$139,854	$67.24	13
   14	PayPal	$139,828	$67.22	10
   15	Genentech	$138,413	$66.54	15
   16	AstraZeneca	$137,608	$66.16	5
   17	Lyft	$137,224	$65.97	1
   18	Microsoft	$137,158	$65.94	57
   19	Deerfield Management	$136,608	$65.68
   20	Helmerich & Payne	$134,438	$64.63

4. Writing an operations manager job description

   An operations manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an operations manager job description:

   Operations manager job description example

   At Jabil we strive to make ANYTHING POSSIBLE and EVERYTHING BETTER. With over 260,000 diverse, talented and dedicated employees across 100 locations in 30 countries, our vision is to be the most technologically advanced and trusted manufacturing solutions provider. We combine an unmatched breadth and depth of end-market experience, technical and design capabilities, manufacturing know-how, supply chain insights and global product management expertise to enable success for the world's leading brands. We are driven by a common purpose to make a positive impact for each other, our communities, and the environment.
   
   SUMMARY Lead the Facility in operational execution with a high level of efficiency, integrity, and enthusiasm, striving to achieve excellence in all endeavors. Be a creative and proactive leader of the management team, focused on continuous improvement. Provide exceptional support to customers, team members, and shareholders. Model servant leadership philosophies while building and aligning culture to the Jabil vision. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIESRecruitment and Retention: · Recruit, interview and hire Functional Managers. · Communicate criteria to recruiters for Functional Management position candidates. · Coach Functional Managers in the interviewing/hiring process. · Monitor team member turnover; identify key factors that can be improved; make improvements.Employee and Team Development: · Identify individual and team strengths and development needs on an ongoing basis. · Create and/or validate training curriculum in area of responsibility. · Coach and mentor Functional Managers to deliver excellence to every internal and external customer. · Create and manage succession plans for Functional Managers.Performance Management: · Establish clear measurable goals and objectives by which to determine individual and team results (i.e. operational metrics, results against project timelines, training documentation, attendance records, knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities, personal development goals). · Solicit ongoing feedback from operational team, Business Unit Manager (BUM), and Functional Manager on Functional Manager's contribution to the team. · Provide ongoing coaching and counseling to Functional Manager based on feedback. · Express pride in staff and encourage them to feel good about their accomplishments. · Perform team member evaluations professionally and on time. · Drive individuals and the team to continuously improve in key operational metrics and the achievement of the organizational goals. · Coordinate activities of large teams and keep them focused in times of crises.Communication: · Ensure recognition and rewards are managed fairly and consistently in area of responsibility. · Provide communication forum for the exchange of ideas and information with the department. · Organize verbal and written ideas clearly and use an appropriate business style. · Ask questions; encourage input from team members. · Assess communication style of individual team members and adapt own communication style accordingly.FUNCTIONAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIESBusiness Strategy and Direction: · Create and communicate the facility strategic directions. · Define, develop and implement a strategy, which contributes to the corporate strategic directions. · Provide regular updates to Functional and Corporate Operations Manager and Business Unit Director on the execution of the strategy.Cost Management: · Identify creative ways to reduce cost by streamlining processes and systems (i.e. modification of responsibilities or consolidation of tasks, elimination of non-value-added processes, or complete re-engineering of processes and systems). · Utilize tools to monitor departmental cost and cost trends, striving continuously to improve value. · Provide feedback to BUMs, WCMs, Functional Managers (FMs) on cost and cost trends.
   
   · Responsible for joint P&L ownership of the facility. Forecast Development and Accuracy: · Work with team to prepare timely forecasts for the facility. · Compare forward forecast results to historical actual results for trend assessment and analysis.TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES · Drive continuous improvement through trend reporting analysis and metrics management. · Assess the adequacy of data gathering methods utilized by the workcells. · Assure that procedures and work instructions are efficient and not redundant. · Offer new ideas and suggestions for improvement. Identify and implement new practices and processes that are "best in field." · Demonstrate a commitment to customer service; anticipate, meet, and exceed expectations by solving problems quickly and effectively; making customer issues a priority. · Establish new measurement systems if/where possible. · Exchange knowledge and information with other Jabil facilities to ensure best practices are shared throughout the Jabil organization. · Ensure 100% adherence to all company policies and procedures (i.e. Health and Safety, Quality). · Ensure all sensitive and confidential information is handled appropriately. · Encourage team members to maintain an in-depth field of experience and knowledge in molded fiber and other relevant industry manufacturing and materials management technologies. · Ensure Jabil is an industry leader in developing and adapting effective advanced systems and methods.
   · Embrace and model an industry leading focus on sustainability.
   
   · Lean Six Sigma or other Continuous Improvement experience · Adhere to all safety and health rules and regulations associated with this position and as directed by supervisor. · Comply and follow all procedures within the company security policy. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and training AND 10 years work experience in a relevant Pulp and Paper, Molded Fiber or Jabil operations disciplines OR equivalent external work experience, including 5 years management experience. Master's degree preferred. Advanced PC skills, including training and knowledge of Jabil's software packages.
   
   In depth industry experience in chemistry, pulp / paper manufacturing, type 3 fiber thermoforming, blow molding and high speed automation preferred.
   
   Jabil, including its subsidiaries, is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find operations managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your operations manager job on Zippia to find and recruit operations manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit operations managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new operations manager

   Once you've selected the best operations manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new operations manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an operations manager?