Operations Manager

At the heart of every successful business, there’s an Operations Manager orchestrating the workflow and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Whether it's a startup, a large corporation, or something in between, the Operations Manager is the key to making things work efficiently.

While their role may vary depending on the industry, the core mission remains the same: streamline processes to ensure the company operates at its best. Their responsibilities span multiple departments, including purchasing, production, accounting, human resources, facilities management, quality control, and more. Ultimately, they ensure all processes are aligned with the company's main objectives.

Whether you're considering this career path or just curious, let’s break down what an Operations Manager does, why this role is essential, and what qualifications are needed for success in this field.

Operations Managers juggle a lot of tasks on a daily basis. Their role requires them to balance multiple tasks, making sure that all aspects of the organisation are working in harmony. From handling budgets to leading teams, the day-to-day responsibilities of an Operations Manager can vary greatly depending on the company’s size, sector, and objectives. They are often the problem-solvers and strategic thinkers who ensure that the business meets its goals. Here's a quick rundown of what their job usually involves:

Finding ways to improve processes and eliminate bottlenecks.

For example, in a manufacturing company, an Operations Manager might identify that the assembly line is causing delays due to workers waiting for materials. To streamline operations, they could implement an automated inventory system that ensures materials are always available on time, reducing downtime and speeding up production.

Keeping an eye on finances to make sure projects stay on track without overspending. In a retail business, the Operations Manager could be tasked with reducing operational costs without compromising customer service. They may analyse expenditures and find that automating certain customer service tasks can cut costs, allowing the company to stay under budget while maintaining high service standards.

Leading teams, overseeing performance, and ensuring everyone’s working toward the same goals. They hold regular check-ins, provide feedback, and ensure alignment with company objectives, boosting team productivity.

Making sure projects are completed on time, within budget, and up to quality standards.

Collaborating with higher management to develop and execute strategic goals for the company. They might conduct market research, analyse risks, and create an action plan, driving the company's expansion while keeping operational efficiency in check.

Maintaining high standards for products or services is a crucial responsibility for operations managers. They often set quality benchmarks, implement control procedures, and regularly track performance to detect and resolve any inconsistencies or deviations from those benchmarks.

Ensure that products or services meet customer needs and maintain strong relationships with clients. For example, in a hospitality business, an Operations Manager might notice that customer feedback points to long wait times at check-in. To improve satisfaction, they implement a new check-in process using tablets, cutting wait times by half and increasing overall customer satisfaction.

When speaking with a friend who is a director for one of the largest recruiting companies in the UK, he shared that their clients typically seek a specific skill set when hiring Operations Managers:

“Problem-solving, strategic thinking, organisational management, and strong people skills are all critical. On top of that, companies want someone who has a data-driven mindset able to make informed decisions based on metrics. Sector-specific experience is also highly valued, as is the ability to spot and manage details that others might overlook. It's really about finding someone who can balance big-picture strategy with day-to-day operations.”

To be a successful Operations Manager, you need to master the art of multitasking. A blend of hard and soft skills is essential for excelling in this role. Here's a breakdown of the key skills that make a great Operations Manager:

Leading a team effectively means keeping everyone motivated and aligned with the company’s objectives.

Unexpected challenges are part of the job, so being able to think quickly and find solutions is crucial.

 With multiple tasks and deadlines, prioritizing and managing time efficiently is key.

Keeping everyone—from your team to upper management—informed and on the same page is vital for smooth operations.

You'll need to interpret data and make decisions that drive the company towards its goals.

With the growing reliance on digital tools and software in business, having a strong grasp of technology is a must.

APMG can help you develop and master many of these essential skills through our range of professional certifications. For example, our Leadership certification STAR Manager is a blended, fully virtual management development programme. Proven by the London School of Economics and the UK Government, it transforms management behaviour and skills in as little as six months.

Additionally, we offer certifications such as AgilePM, AI Practitioner, and Managing Portfolios, among many others. These certifications are designed to build your expertise and give you a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Operations Managers are needed across just about every industry. You’ll find them in:

• Manufacturing: Keeping production lines efficient and ensuring product quality.
• Retail: Managing logistics, supply chains, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Corporate Offices: Coordinating cross-departmental efforts and streamlining internal operations.
• Healthcare: Overseeing hospital operations, patient care systems, and staff management.
• Tech and Startups: Ensuring product development processes run smoothly and tech teams are on track.

So, whether it’s a factory floor, a corporate boardroom, or a busy hospital. Operations Managers are the glue that holds it all together.

I have asked a former colleague who works as an Operations Manager at a Corporate Training company in London to describe what  a typical day of work looks like for him, what  tools  he finds helpful to execute his job successfully, and what are the key strengths he thinks a successful Operations Manager should have. Here is what he wrote:

I start my day by reviewing emails and Slack messages to ensure I’m aware of any immediate needs or updates. Following that, I organise my Trello board and tackle urgent tasks that need solving.

Being an Operations Manager can sometimes feel like being caught in a tornado—it’s fast-paced, and prioritising what is genuinely urgent is crucial. It’s also important to ensure that my team has everything they need to keep operations running smoothly.

My day includes attending several meetings and strategising, but honestly, there isn’t a typical day—there’s more of a typical week. I prefer to complete recurring tasks earlier in the week, leaving the latter part for ongoing projects and any strategic work that requires my attention.

Yes, several tools are essential to my daily operations. I rely heavily on our CRM system to manage delegate and trainer communications efficiently. Excel spreadsheets are crucial for generating reports and tracking various metrics, helping me stay on top of performance and budgeting. Trello keeps my tasks organised, while Slack facilitates quick, efficient communication with my team.

Additionally, I use various financial tools for budgeting and forecasting, ensuring our projects stay on target.

A successful Operations Manager should excel in:

- Prioritisation: With so many tasks coming at you, it’s vital to know what’s truly urgent and what can wait. This helps ensure the team has everything they need to keep operations moving.

- Adaptability: No two days are the same, so being flexible and able to adjust to new challenges or changes is essential to keep things running smoothly.

- Communication: Whether it’s with the internal team or external stakeholders, clear communication is key. Ensuring everyone has the information they need fosters efficiency and collaboration.

- Organisation: Given the sheer volume of tasks, staying organised with tools like Trello or project management software is a must to keep on top of everything.

- Resilience: It’s important to accept that not everything is within your control—you can't control the weather, but you can control how you deal with it. Resilience allows you to face challenges head-on, bounce back from setbacks, and stay composed under pressure, which is vital in such a dynamic role.

- Leadership and Empowerment: A good Operations Manager needs to lead their team with confidence, ensuring they have the support and resources necessary to succeed.

Money matters, right? So, let’s talk about the paycheck.

While the day-to-day responsibilities of an operations manager may vary, the opportunities for personal development are extensive. The financial benefits can also be significant, with a competitive average salary and the potential to earn well across different regions.

In the UK, Operations Managers can expect to make around £45,000 to £60,000 per year, depending on experience, industry, and location, according to the Association for Project Management (APM).

For our friends across the pond, that’s roughly $55,000 to $73,000 USD. Keep in mind that in larger companies or specific industries, salaries can soar well beyond these averages, especially with added responsibilities like overseeing international operations or managing huge teams.