An operations manager, as the name suggests, is in charge of the overall operations of a company. This position, of course, brings with it many duties and responsibilities that have to be fulfilled. This CareerStint article lists some of the main ones.
An operations manager is a person who oversees the efficiency of business operations.
― Collins English Dictionary
There are many executive and management job positions in companies today, and one of the most significant is that of an operations manager. An operations manager is a management professional who is handed over the responsibility of ensuring that maximum output is achieved in minimum resources. He is responsible for performing a variety of duties and responsibilities, which are not just limited to his profile. His role is not specific to a particular field.
One of the main duties of an operations manager is to manage major aspects of the production and administration departments in the organization. He/she typically works in a wide range of sectors such as Information Technology (IT), manufacturing, health sector, pharmaceuticals, and other business-related fields. In some organizations, he/she is also referred to as a general manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
An operations manager’s duties entail many things. He is basically responsible to ensure a smooth running of all the operations. Given below is a list of the basic duties and responsibilities that an operations manager post includes.
Manage Finance and Prepare Budget
An operations manager has to manage the finances in such a way that the company does not suffer any losses, uses its financial resources to the optimum, and also makes profits.
He/she has to prepare the financial budget of the company.
He/she is also required to study the market and financial statements, reduce production costs, have information about sales trends and business forecasts, and see to it that the operations are carried out efficiently without going off budget.
He/she has to review all the income and expenditures of the company and determine what else is required for the company to excel in its operations.
Problem Solving
At public and press meetings, an operations manager is required to act as a presenter for the goals and plans of the company.
He/she has to face and try to resolve different issues regarding quality of services, shipment delays, customer satisfaction and retaining, and other problems.
Some of the duties are associated with risk management, which is why this professional has to be good at making decisions and solving problems.
Human Resource Management
The operations manager needs to review the payroll policies and make changes if necessary.
These policies include information about the salary of all the workers, the basis on which these amounts are decided, and other financial benefits and perks if any.
The job also includes seeing the requirements of the workforce, hiring new employees, evaluating their performance, and also allocating tasks to them.
Policy Making
The operations manager is in charge of making and implementing policies that match the concerned company’s mission and aim.
He/she should ensure that they are brought into effect and put to use properly. The policies include safety, employee retention, expected performance level, etc.
The policies should be made keeping in mind all the legalities and other considerations that the company is bound by.
Planning Operations
He/she has to plan out the overall operations of the company. The planning needs to be detailed and in keeping with the company policies.
This person also has to oversee the buying and selling activities, determine the purchase expenditure, and also have knowledge about the target consumer base.
He/she also has to ensure that the operations are conducted without a glitch, and regulate activities between two or more departments; for example: sales and logistics.
Communication
The operations manager has to ensure a smooth flow of communication within the organization.
He/she has to see to it that the employees and the top-level management understand each other and that the communication lines between them are open. He/she may also have to resolve disputes and misunderstandings, which require him/her to have good interpersonal skills to be able to deal with people effectively and in the right manner.
He/she will also have to coordinate with the top-level management for decision making and policy implementation.
Management of Logistics
The job of an operations manager also entails maintaining the logistics aspect. The Oxford dictionary defines logistics as “the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation.”
For example, in case of the production sector, the operations manager has to ensure that the goods produced are of high quality, and that the machinery used has not manufactured substandard goods. He/she has to analyze the state and condition of the machinery, the current position of the logistics, and determine if any changes need to be made.
Overseeing Third-party Services
The operations manager has to oversee the services of third parties that are hired by the company, if any. These include services like cab facilities for employees, cleaning services, security personnel, etc.
He/she has to ensure that the hiring procedures follow the set standards, the services are provided according to the agreed terms, and that all formalities are taken care of with regards to the hiring and termination of contracts with the parties.
Salary Range
The following sections consist of the salary information sorted out on the basis of the level of experience, state, city, and industry.
| Years of Experience | |
| 0 – 1 year | $33,000 to $52,000 |
| 1 – 4 years | $38,000 to $58,000 |
| 5 – 9 years | $44,000 to $69,000 |
| 10 – 19 years | $51,000 to $80,000 |
| 20 or more years | $56,000 to $93,000 |
| Classification by State | |
| Georgia | $50,000 to $75,000 |
| Illinois | $50,000 to $76,000 |
| New York | $60,000 to $80,000 |
| California | $50,000 to $80,000 |
| Texas | $46,000 to $78,000 |
| Classification by City | |
| Houston | $51,000 to $95,000 |
| Chicago | $48,000 to $78,000 |
| New York | $50,000 to $80,000 |
| Los Angeles | $52,000 to $81,000 |
| Washington D.C. | $60,000 to $87,000 |
| Classification by Industry | |
| Manufacturing & Distribution | $51,000 to $82,000 |
| Retail | $46,000 to $70,000 |
| Telecommunications | $56,000 to $85,000 |
| Financial Services | $48,000 to 76,000 |
| Shipping | $50,000 to $70,000 |
An operations manager is an important employee of the company, as he/she has to make sure that the work gets done profitably and with client satisfaction. He/she must also ensure an uninterrupted, smooth flow of working with the best results.
An operations manager is an important employee of the company, as he/she has to make sure that the work gets done profitably and with client satisfaction. He/she must also ensure an uninterrupted, smooth flow of working with the best results.