Operations manager job description

 Operations managers are often the glue that holds an organisation together.

They are responsible for people, operations, budgets, project delivery and strategy.

A good or bad ops manager can make or break the delivery of a product or service.

Operations management careers are varied and the rewards can be plentiful. Here you’ll gain insight into the role across a variety of sectors and hear from those experienced in the role and the hiring process.

What is an operations manager?

What is operations management and where does an operations manager fit in to this?

In a nutshell, it’s the smooth running of operations in any organisation or company.

While the job can vary greatly, there are common attributes and responsibilities, which we will cover extensively below, using a range of experts from HR and operations management.

The job of an operations manager can be hard work but extremely rewarding, with demonstrable results and a real impact on business outcomes. “A good operations manager is responsible for processes being followed and that teams are facilitated collaboratively to continuously improve these processes,” says Alister Esam, CEO of the process management tool, Process Bliss.

What does an operations manager do?

You might be wondering what an operations manager does all day and how the operations manager job role differs from the role you might be doing already or how your studies can fit into a career in operations management.

The role of operations manager varies depending on seniority and specialism but there are a few commonalities. Neil Mcgregor, operations director, REPL Group, says: “The role of an operations manager is really split into five key areas: people, core operations, budgets, project delivery and strategy.

As an operations manager, you are responsible for managing a team of people, which involves both the engagement and development of these people.

Part of the core operations responsibilities include resourcing or staffing, recruitment and financial processes, such as invoicing. This is linked to the budgeting aspects of the role, in which the operations manager must manage margins, costs, budgeting and forecasting. Project delivery functions include delivery assurance, quality assurance, client delivery and relationship management; while strategy responsibilities lie in ops plans and strategy support.”

There are a number of tasks unique to operations managers. For instance, you must be able to match individuals to client needs in order to balance objectives and goals from both sides. The role also involves driving growth strategy and balancing global needs.

The role might typically be 9-5 but, depending on the sector, you might be required to work shifts (certainly in NHS roles, for example) or part-time hours. As an operations manager is responsible for the smooth running of a service or organisation, overtime is often inevitable.

Career prospects for an operations manager are good, thanks to the holistic nature of the role and the experience available.

Roles and responsibilities of operations managers

Your specific duties as an operations manager may vary but there are key responsibilities of operations managers common across all sectors. The primary function of an operations manager is often to manage processes, budgets and people, whether in a retail, legal or transport setting.

An operations manager duties may also include supporting the production planning process and ensure key performance indicators (KPIs) are in place and production targets are met. This oversight of key business processes makes the role of operations manager an excellent prospect for high-level career progression. An operations manager’s key objective, says Prince: “is to make sure that all your staff have everything they need to complete the roles you have already set them.”

Ceri Henfrey is head of operations at MoneyPenny, where she looks after the day-to-day running of the business, managing each facet of the business workings, from the specific needs of each individual PA to the mechanics of the wider team. She says: “My main job is to make sure that our customers needs are being met and that every day runs smoothly from a customer service perspective and that the company employees are happy and well looked after.”

Operations manager responsibilities

An operations manager’s responsibilities can include:

• Managing stock control and inventory checks.
• Having a keen eye on budgets and budgetary changes.
• Communicating changes in an order process to relevant parties.
• Ensuring that health and safety regulations are followed.
• Documenting procedures for third-party monitoring.
• Creating and monitoring projects and teams.
• Reviewing workloads and manpower to ensure targets are met.
• Supporting the CEO or executive team’s vision and process ideals.
• Ensuring staff working on processes are happy and operating efficiently.
• Supporting all functions of the business to work together.

Why should I become an operations manager?

While the day-to-day duties of an operations manager may change, the personal development opportunities are vast. The financial rewards for being an operations manager can be very good, with a competitive average salary and the opportunity to earn well regionally. See Operations manager salary section below.

Career opportunities are good for anyone becoming an operations manager, with many moving to very senior positions or running their own companies.

What is the best part of being an operations manager?

The rewards can be great for working in operations management and can transcend the financial. For Henfrey, the best part is, “that it’s always interesting and really varied. No day is ever the same. It’s often unpredictable and changes quickly.”

For Mcgregor: “the best thing about being an operations manager is having a single view across the entire organisation and being in a unique position to influence the direction of the company.” He adds: “I also thoroughly enjoy the people side of things – we have a great team and being able to support, challenge and help them continually grow as individuals is great to see. I relish the opportunity this role gives me to lead change and continuous improvement across our organisation. It’s a wonderful feeling reflecting back every three-six months and seeing how this has come into effect across our teams.”

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