Operations Manager

An operations manager is responsible for multiple areas within a company, depending on the field and industry. Duties often include data entry, managing accounts payable and receivable, or payroll oversight. However, operations managers can also be responsible for managing an organization's human resources department, creating and managing budgets, and creating forecasts for the company.

The person who takes on this position should have strong management skills and be a big-picture thinker. The operations manager sees the company as a whole, because that person is responsible for the oversight of many facets of the organization. This person does not usually work in one area of the company. Tasks typically change each day, and a variety of them are expected to be completed within a normal day's business hours. Because of this, an operations manager should be focused and goal-oriented and have a keen eye for detail.

Operations managers can be found in nearly every industry, including health care, government and technology. The national average income for an operations manager is $61,688. The health care industry typically pays the most, with an average annual salary of $113,600. Construction and architecture industries usually pay an average annual salary of $73,004. The travel and hospitality industries each offer an average annual salary of $50,802 for operations managers. Many people in this career have a degree in business administration, human resources or even operations management.

Research shows that operations managers' incomes increase with their level of education. For example, the national average for an operations manager with a two-year degree is $55,648. That average increases to $77,062 with a master's degree. There are many certifications available that can increase a candidate's value, including the following: Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) by APICS; Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) by APICS; CIAC-Certified Operations Manager (CCOM) by CIAC; Six Sigma green, black or master black belt certification; Lean certification and Production-Planning & Manufacturing certification by SAP; and Logistics Execution & Warehouse Management certification by SAP.

Experience is important in this field, but education is even more essential. An operations manager will make approximately $54,270 with two to five years of experience, and $69,580 with 21-plus years' experience. The career path for an operations manager can start with the following positions: assistant manager, warehouse supervisor, office manager, production supervisor, operations supervisor or warehouse manager. Once people have served in a combination of any of these roles, they have a good chance of being promoted to an operations manager. Once experience is gained in this field, likely advanced titles can include general manager, director of operations, operations consultant, senior operations manager, vice president of operations, or plant manager.

The role of the operations manager is key to many businesses across many industries. For those with a drive for success and an interest in expanding their education, the career path of an operations manager is a valued one.