How to become an operations manager

An efficient business can meet deadlines, outpace competitors and deftly adapt to market changes. Many companies depend on operations management to foster the highest level of efficiency possible within an organization. Let’s look at this career, skills, education and salaries. 

In short, operations managers help organizations run more efficiently.  Operations management (OM) describes how organizations use business practices to foster maximum efficiency . At its core, OM is the conversion of materials and labor into goods and services to maximize an organization’s profits. It focuses on elements like the workforce, a company’s processes and the supply chains a company uses.

Whether pursuing a business degree or scaling a company, find out more about how operations management helps enhance an organization’s productivity by satisfying customers, improving revenue and gaining an edge over other businesses.

Effective management of business operations is fundamental to achieving an organization’s strategic goals, operating profitably and delivering value to customers and stakeholders. It ensures all aspects of production or delivery work seamlessly and efficiently. This type of strategic management involves more than supply chain management , although that’s a fundamental component.

Without good operations practices, a company might fall behind in production because its processes aren’t up to standards. Customer satisfaction might dip if deliveries are late or if product quality suffers. Brand reputation might suffer if, for example, the company fails to operate sustainably and harms the environment.

OM, in other words, touches many facets of a business with the opportunity to make a significant difference in either direction.

Operations managers regularly depend on a variety of skills to help them streamline efficiency in the workplace. Strong communication and organization skills allow an operations manager to create, implement and optimize processes that improve a company’s workflows.

The ideal candidate for an operations management position might possess or develop the following skills:

• Technological proficiency — Using computers, phones, information dashboards and other technologies to optimize the efficiency of an organization’s operations.
• Public speaking — Frequently interaction with employees, vendors, stakeholders, executives and other internal company representatives involved in business operations.
• Performance management — Teaching company employees how they can improve daily habits in ways that bolster efficiency and productivity.
• Data analysis and reporting —  Analyzing metrics to identify ways a company can further improve operations in areas like purchasing totals, costs, customer behavior metrics or other data.
• Risk analysis — Assessing the current state of a company’s operations, identifying potential risks or challenges the organization could face as a result of current procedures.
• Problem-solving —Countering market challenges with unique solutions that drive success and satisfy stakeholders.
• Product optimization — Informing product design, simplifying workflows, overseeing quality control and managing production budgets to optimize the way an organization creates and offers products or services.

As an aspiring operations manager, you might not possess all these skills. That’s perfectly fine. Over time, you can develop them through training and practice.

You can also build your operational manager skills through ongoing education, including earning a business degree. Many of the skills you’ll need as an operations manager are also in-demand skills among Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates.

Operations managers are forecast to enjoy a positive job outlook over the next decade. According to BLS, demand for operations managers is projected to grow by 4% from 2022 to 2032 .

As the American workforce matures and current employees retire, some operations manager positions are expected to become available. This trend will allow younger individuals to assume roles as operations managers.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Exact income as an operations manager will depend on a variety of factors including the employer, employer’s size, years of experience, education and any industry certifications.

As of May 2023, salaries of operations managers ranged between $46,340 and $232,110 (with a median wage of $101,280) , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Region and industry can significantly influence pay and earning potential, as different fields and organizations have different needs and opportunities.

The salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

Becoming an operations manager is a process that can take time, effort and financial investment. Operations managers typically need to fulfill some necessary education requirements in addition to any required certifications.

Seeking degrees that can prepare for operations manager roles is a fairly straightforward process, as many business programs include some elements of management in their curriculum.

A first step might be to pursue a business degree. A Bachelor of Science in Management, for example, or a degree in a closely related field might strengthen skills for operations roles.

Aspiring operations managers could also elect to pursue an industry-respected Bachelor of Science in Business with an Operations Management Certificate.

Depending on needs and competition in the operations management market,  obtaining a master’s degree such as a Master of Management might be a good choice to educationally prepare for opportunities as an operations manager, as it teaches skills in operations, strategic planning and leadership.

Online MBA programs are popular before beginning a career as a business manager, a financial analyst or an operations manager.

In addition to the required education, some companies may require one or more third-party certifications to become an operations manager. Operations management certifications provide education in particular operations fields. They can deepen knowledge of inventory management, service operations and other fields. 

Not sure where to start? Some programs offer an Operations Management Certificate that touches on many principles (like Lean Six Sigma and supply chain management) valued among operations management professionals.

These and other certifications may help polish understanding of effective business and help to further qualify a candidate for a professional operations management role.

Technology’s profound impact on operations management practices has historically led to significant improvements in efficiency and quality .

Automation, for example, can streamline processes and reduce manual labor. Advanced data analytics tools can enable managers to make better forecasts and manage inventories. It also allows for improved supply chain transparency thanks to real-time tracking of goods and materials.

Finally, companies can use technology to improve the end product thanks to quality control measures, leading to better products and, hopefully, happier customers.

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an operations manager, University of Phoenix has online business programs  to help you get started:

• Bachelor of Science in Management  
• Bachelor of Science in Business with an Operations Management Certificate  
• Master of Business Administration  
• Master of Management  

Contact University of Phoenix for more information.