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What is a service center manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Eric Olsen
introduction image

The service manager assists in scheduling and processing documents of the service center to ensure the smooth running of the center. They maintain inventory of retail and company property. The service manager's main responsibilities include overseeing and guiding all activities of the service team, ensuring that the team follows best practices, and maintaining service agreements. They also coordinate SLA creations, ensure that customers are represented in the definition and evolution of services, offer customer service, and maintain relationships with customers.

A service center manager must be able to think strategically, manage risks, manage time well, and communicate effectively. You must also be able to create a business relationship with customers and people. You must have a broad technical understanding and service level management, and you must at all times give your full attention to customers. The educational requirement is at least a high school diploma or GED, but candidates with a bachelor's degree in business or service management would be preferred. The average salary of a service center manager is $52,229 per year.

What general advice would you give to a service center manager?

Eric OlsenEric Olsen LinkedIn profile

Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business

Times of change are also times of great opportunities. We are going to need new technical solutions to address problems we are just learning about. You have to lean into the issues. Don't be a technologist - be a problem solver. That is why we also emphasize soft skills like lean six sigma, teamwork, and change management.
ScoreService Center ManagerUS Average
Salary
3.2

Avg. Salary $40,821

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.6

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%

Asian 6.42%

Black or African American 6.25%

Hispanic or Latino 15.41%

Unknown 4.35%

White 67.11%

Gender

female 26.39%

male 73.61%

Age - 44
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 - 44
Stress level
9.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Service center manager career paths

Key steps to become a service center manager

  1. Explore service center manager education requirements

    Most common service center manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    61.0 %

    Associate

    17.4 %

    High School Diploma

    8.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific service center manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    OSHA13.41%
    LTL8.14%
    Payroll6.57%
    Provide Technical Assistance6.11%
    Customer Satisfaction4.49%
  3. Complete relevant service center manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New service center managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a service center manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real service center manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional service center manager certifications

    Service center manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific service center manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for service center managers include Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified Manager Certification (CM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research service center manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage team of database administrators, database technicians and systems administrators responsible for maintaining all production, development and QA systems.
    • Provide security and custom control, inventory monthly auditing, inventory management, perform weekly payroll entry.
    • Implement OSHA and safety training programs, perform monthly safety inspections, conduct safety training and MSDS control.
    • Be knowledgeable regarding Medicare, Medicaid and insurance regulations.
  6. Prepare your service center manager resume

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

    Choose from 10+ customizable service center manager resume templates

    Build a professional service center manager 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 service center manager resume.
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    Service Center Manager Resume
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    Service Center Manager Resume
    Service Center Manager Resume
    Service Center Manager Resume
    Service Center Manager Resume
    Service Center Manager Resume
    Service Center Manager Resume
  7. Apply for service center manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a service center manager 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 service center manager job

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Average service center manager salary

The average service center manager salary in the United States is $40,821 per year or $20 per hour. Service center manager salaries range between $30,000 and $54,000 per year.

Average service center manager salary
$40,821 Yearly
$19.63 hourly

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How do service center managers rate their job?

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Service center manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2022
Pros

Supporting and interacting with the customers

Cons

I don’t like escalations from the customers


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Working as a service manager i am able to be myself and reconize my own self worth

Cons

I dont like the bullshit that goes on in oginazations like people pissing on eachothers shoes just to get ahead


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

I love being able to mold my team and the distribution center to the culture of respect and accountability! Having senior and executive leadership support is a huge positive factor in making this happen!!

Cons

Long hours and calls outside of regular business hours are the norm!


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Updated January 8, 2025

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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