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What is a site operations manager and how to become one

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

A site operations manager is responsible for overseeing the activities of a particular site, be it a corporate office, a warehouse, a manufacturing facility, or an ongoing construction site. Basically, their role is to ensure that the site is performing according to company standards and are achieving set goals on time. That said, a site operations manager spends most of their time overseeing operations, conducting routine inspections, implementing company policies, and reporting to the head office. Sometimes, they may travel to different sites for work, which may require them to relocate closer to their assigned site when needed.

The role of a site operations manager typically requires a degree in a business-related field, and people with MBAs usually get a head start in this career path. Furthermore, a site operations manager needs to have exemplary skills in communication, coordination, and business strategy in order to meet their primary job functions. The job of a site operations manager is not easy, which is why compensation is very high. On average, a site operations manager makes around $44 an hour or about $91,000 per year.

What general advice would you give to a site operations 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.
ScoreSite Operations ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.7

Avg. Salary $102,283

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 6.41%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 15.38%

Unknown 4.34%

White 67.15%

Gender

female 21.97%

male 78.03%

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

Site operations manager career paths

Key steps to become a site operations manager

  1. Explore site operations manager education requirements

    Most common site operations manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.1 %

    Associate

    16.0 %

    Master's

    9.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific site operations manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Site Operations10.30%
    Logistics7.25%
    Safety Procedures5.96%
    Oversight5.65%
    Safety Program5.44%
  3. Complete relevant site operations manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New site operations 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 site operations manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real site operations manager resumes.
  4. Research site operations manager duties and responsibilities

    • Analyze, prepare and efficiently manage distribution center budget, operations and logistics.
    • Develop multiple in-store processes to manage payroll and successfully increase financial numbers through decreasing operational expense and increasing operational income.
    • Finance and billing accountability across Medicaid, manage care commercial insurance, insurance verification, contract management, and benefits administration.
    • Participate in FDA and governmental audits.
  5. Prepare your site operations manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your site operations 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 site operations 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 site operations manager resume templates

    Build a professional site operations 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 site operations manager resume.
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    Site Operations Manager Resume
  6. Apply for site operations manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a site operations 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 site operations manager job

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Average site operations manager salary

The average site operations manager salary in the United States is $102,283 per year or $49 per hour. Site operations manager salaries range between $66,000 and $156,000 per year.

Average site operations manager salary
$102,283 Yearly
$49.17 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do site operations managers rate their job?

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Site operations manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

Positions cares such important function as a customer advocacy and customer servant

Cons

Operations never stops, its always up and running and you have to be available at any time


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!


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

People Busy Money Busy and variety in a job Solving problems


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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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