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How to become an Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Career progression and salary expectations for an Operations Manager

1

Entry-level Operations Manager

| Up to £28,000
2

Operations Manager

| Up to £35,000
3

Chief Operations Officer

| Up to £65,000

The role of an Operations Manager

Being a smooth operator just got a whole new meaning…

Operations Managers monitor, analyse, and improve a business’s production systems, in order to achieve the highest level of productivity.

They’re an important part of almost every industry, meaning Operations Managers could work in anything from healthcare and hospitality, to manufacturing and retail.

Whilst their role may vary depending on the industry and organisation they work in, they’re typically tasked with financial, staff, and resource management, as well as communications, safety measures, quality control, and setting goals/objectives.

Typical tasks and duties for an Operations Manager include:

  • Developing operations strategies
  • Planning and handling change
  • Researching new technologies
  • Preparing action plans and audits
  • Managing the recruitment and training of staff
  • Analysing and improving workflow
  • Enforcing health and safety procedures
As an Operations Manager’s role is particularly broad, you’ll need a wide range of skills to be successful.

First and foremost, great communication and leadership skills are a must – which will help you to ensure teams are working well together towards a strategic goal. You’ll also need to be an excellent decision maker and business negotiator.

Because you’ll focus on long-term goals as well as the day-to-day running of a business, an ability to see both the big and small picture is key.

Operations Managers will also need to be:

  • Organised
  • Good problem solvers
  • Process driven
  • An excellent leader
  • A great delegator
  • A team player
  • Innovative
  • Diplomatic
"I’m an Operations Manager for a small manufacturing company, and I’m a big fan of the variation my job gives me. In a nutshell, I’m responsible for (almost) everything that affects productivity – whether it’s recruitment, stock, safety, processes (or anything else that seems to come up!) I’ve always been good at organisation, which makes the role a good fit. Being a good mediator is also key. Of course, it can be stressful at times, especially when things aren’t going well – but that only pushes me to try harder to find viable solutions to get things back on track."

Get qualified as an Operations Manager

While formal education, often a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field, provides a solid foundation, practical experience in operations management or supervisory roles is equally important. Additionally, project management and Lean Six Sigma courses will enhance your career prospects in this field, teaching you how to effectively plan, organise, and execute projects, whilst focusing on process improvement and waste reduction.

Recommended Operations management courses

  • Level 3 Practitioners Certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations Management

    CILT(UK) Learning Centre
    Blended learning includes digital materials, online learning, digital classrooms and assessments
    • New course!
    • Online
    • 14 months · Part-time
    • Regulated qualification
    • Exam(s) included
    • Certificate(s) included
    The CILT(UK) Level 3 Practitioner Certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations Management is a general certificate for those working in those areas across the supply chain and has been mapped to the CILT(UK) Competency Framework. Its purpose is to develop a core understa …
    from £1,453 (VAT exempt)

  • Level 5 Professional Certificate in Supply Chain and Operations Management

    CILT(UK) Learning Centre
    Blended learning with study materials, assessments and exams included
    • New course!
    • Online
    • 14 months · Part-time
    • Regulated qualification
    • Certificate(s) included
    The CILT(UK) Level 5 Professional Certificate in Supply Chain and Operations Management is for those who have an understanding of the supply chain business environment and are looking to enhance pre-existing skills, competencies and knowledge to effectively interpret and propose …
    from £1,953 (VAT exempt)
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