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Operations specialist vs operations manager

The differences between operations specialists and operations managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an operations manager has an average salary of $76,894, which is higher than the $54,752 average annual salary of an operations specialist.

The top three skills for an operations specialist include customer service, logistics and basic math. The most important skills for an operations manager are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.

Operations specialist vs operations manager overview

Operations SpecialistOperations Manager
Yearly salary$54,752$76,894
Hourly rate$26.32$36.97
Growth rate10%6%
Number of jobs109,181343,868
Job satisfaction45
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4444
Years of experience-6

What does an operations specialist do?

An operations specialist is responsible for optimizing the business' daily operations, ensuring smooth process flow to provide the best services to clients. Operations specialists' duties include analyzing business procedures, identifying opportunities for business improvement, tracking the department's metrics and activities, providing assistance to colleagues, suggesting strategies for operations efficiency, and managing customer's inquiries and complaints. An operations specialist must be an excellent team player and detail-oriented, as well as proven time-management and decision-making skills to meet clients' needs and support the business' objectives.

What does an operations manager do?

Operations managers are in charge of running the main business of the organization. They ensure that the business is running smoothly from an operations standpoint. They make sure that the processes in place produce the necessary output by implementing quality control measures. They also manage finances and ensure that there is enough budget to keep the operations of the business running. They also ensure that the production of goods or services is cost-efficient. Operations managers also handle people-related concerns. They are responsible for interviewing candidates, choosing the ones to hire, and ensuring that individuals assigned to operations are properly trained.

Operations specialist vs operations manager salary

Operations specialists and operations managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Operations SpecialistOperations Manager
Average salary$54,752$76,894
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $85,000Between $47,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandDelaware
Best paying companyCoatue ManagementMcKinsey & Company Inc
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between operations specialist and operations manager education

There are a few differences between an operations specialist and an operations manager in terms of educational background:

Operations SpecialistOperations Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Operations specialist vs operations manager demographics

Here are the differences between operations specialists' and operations managers' demographics:

Operations SpecialistOperations Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 50.6% Female, 49.4%Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%10%

Differences between operations specialist and operations manager duties and responsibilities

Operations specialist example responsibilities.

  • Develop and implement VBA scripts to automate tasks in financial reporting.
  • Manage all international A/R functions, reporting, sales, expense analysis and marketing campaigns as well as all royalties.
  • Manage and process 100 FDA electronic and paper submissions including safety reports, new investigator reports, amendments, and protocols.
  • Demonstrate ability to manage and organize clinical setting for patients and families.
  • Personalize and manage a customer SQL network database to consolidate all incoming orders from different marketplaces.
  • Manage a variety of operational tasks for moderately complex securities transactions that require knowledge of vary systems and processes.
  • Show more

Operations manager example 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.
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Operations specialist vs operations manager skills

Common operations specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Logistics, 4%
  • Basic Math, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 4%
  • Operational Procedures, 4%
Common operations manager skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Logistics, 7%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Project Management, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%

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