When you’re fresh in a new career, or a junior in an organisation, managers are the ones who seem to have it all. They’re in charge of everything from the hours you get, to the way clients and customers are handled, to the methods for doing your day-to-day job. And they’re paid a fair bit more than the average Joe. Wanting to be a manager is a common ambition.
There are several different types of managers, even in smaller businesses. There are general managers, who are responsible for all aspects of a business, from HR and marketing to strategy. Project managers handle unique tasks with set goals, start and end points; anything from big client jobs to internal improvement initiatives. Then there’s logistics managers, who are in charge of everything it takes to get goods from A to B. So how do you know which type of manager you want to be?
If your ambitions are based on moving up the ladder from your current gig, chances are you’re aiming to become an operations manager. Operations managers are the ones getting things done each day. As the name suggests, they’re responsible for the behind-the-scenes activity that keeps the organisation running smoothly. This can mean everything from overseeing health and safety, to analysing and improving processes.
Operations managers work across all different industries, including retail, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government agencies. They can work in a single location, or across several locations. And depending on the industry, they can have slightly different titles. That’s why there are so many of them in Australia. In fact, according to current stats:
- There are over 100,000 operations managers across Australia
- The average salary (before bonuses) is $120,000 per year
- There are over 25,000 current operations manager vacancies
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the common duties and responsibilities of operations managers in all industries and business types. We’ll also look at the three main pathways you can take to become an operations manager. By the end, you should have a better idea of whether this career is for you.
Operations manager duties and responsibilities
Operations managers are the main connection between frontline staff and supervisors, unit or area managers, and the upper levels of management like general managers and executives. Their daily tasks include:
Overseeing daily operations: one of the primary duties is to manage the day-to-day activities of the company. This includes making sure that all departments are working together effectively, and that the business is operating smoothly. For example, they may resolve stakeholder disputes, and make sure that unit managers are communicating.
Executing strategic plans: operations managers are responsible for implementing the strategic plans and directives provided by general managers or upper management. This involves translating high-level goals into actionable steps and ensuring that the operations team works towards achieving these objectives effectively.
Improving efficiency: a big part of the job is looking for ways to make the company’s operations more efficient. This could mean finding faster ways to produce products, reducing costs, or streamlining processes to save time. They look at these efficiency measures more regularly, and in more detail, than upper levels of management.
Budget management: operations managers are often in charge of managing the budget for their department or the whole organisation. They must make sure that the company is spending money wisely and staying within budget. Sometimes they work together with a financial controller or accounts manager on a daily basis to make sure this happens.
Quality control: ensuring that products or services meet a certain standard of quality is another key responsibility. The operations manager develops and implements quality control processes to maintain high standards. Even if the organisation has a quality manager, the operations manager needs to work alongside them to make sure any necessary changes are carried out to boost quality.
Problem solving: when issues arise, such as delays in production or customer complaints, it’s the operations manager’s job to find solutions quickly. This involves analysing the problem, identifying the cause, and implementing a fix. They may follow some standard risk management and emergency response procedures, but operations managers also need to be able to make quick decisions using their own judgement.
Supply chain management: operations managers may also be responsible for overseeing the supply chain, which involves managing relationships with suppliers, ensuring that materials are delivered on time, and maintaining inventory levels.
Compliance and safety: they ensure that the company complies with laws and regulations, particularly those related to health and safety. This includes making sure that the workplace is safe for employees and that the company follows all legal requirements.
Reporting and analysis: operations managers regularly analyse data and prepare reports on the company’s performance. This helps them to make informed decisions about how to improve operations and achieve business goals.
Customer service: they may also play a role in ensuring that customers are satisfied with the company’s products or services. This could involve setting customer service standards and handling high-level complaints. For example, complex complaints or disputes that get escalated may be solved by the operations manager.
Pathway 1: Vocational qualification
It’s rare to become an operations manager with no qualifications whatsoever. In fact, fewer than 5% of operations managers in Australia have no post-secondary qualifications at all. That’s because there are parts of the job that are almost impossible to learn from experience alone. And there are some things you wouldn’t want to learn that way – like those legal and safety responsibilities, for example! At the same time, book learning can get old pretty quickly. A lot of the things you learn in a traditional business degree are out of date by the time you’re done.
The good news is you don’t have to pause work and do a full-on degree. Practical courses like the Diploma of Business (Operations) are a great shortcut to your new career. In this course, you’ll get the advanced knowledge you need to be an effective operations manager, with a practical edge. Course topics include:
- developing smarter policies and procedures
- managing business resources (from people to money!)
- managing budgets and financial plans
- developing and implementing business plans
- overseeing workplace safety in your area
You can fit your learning around your current work and family responsibilities. In fact, as you learn, you’ll pick up new techniques and strategies you can apply straight away. That way, when you’re ready to step up into an operations manager role, you can hit the ground running.
This pathway is great if you’ve got a bit of real-world work experience already. You can use what you’ve learned on the job, and apply that as you challenge yourself to stretch your skills and expertise.
Pathway 2: Uni degree
Many sources will tell you that a university degree in business is essential if you want to become an operations manager. While this isn’t strictly true, some bigger companies especially still require a minimum of a Bachelor degree to move up to operations manager positions. That’s why it’s worth considering this pathway, especially if you want to keep your options open.
University degrees for operations managers include the Bachelor of Business, and the Bachelor of Business Administration. Each of these generally take at least three years full time, or the equivalent part time. Some unis allow you to major (specialise) in management. Even if you keep it general, you’ll cover a variety of topics that are relevant to operations management, like business decision-making, strategic change management, and human resources.
If it’s been a while since you’ve studied, and you’re not sure how you’ll go with a multi-year course, there’s an in-between option. Many universities allow you to skip some of the early subjects in a degree, if you’ve got a recent relevant vocational qualification. It’s called advanced standing, or course credit. For example, you may be able to use a Diploma of Business to skip to the second year of a Bachelor of Business degree. This means you’re not wasting any time on the uni pathway if you decide to try the vocational pathway first. If this sounds like the right move for you, it’s important to check with the uni of your choice first as to whether they offer this option.
Pathway 3: Postgraduate qualification
For those who want to refine their skills further, or stand out from the crowd of candidates with a Bachelor degree, there’s one more pathway. Getting a postgraduate qualification is a way to show potential employers you’re seriously committed to your career, and want to be the best manager you can be.
The most common postgraduate qualification for an operations manager is a Master of Business Administration (MBA). This qualification can be completed in as little as 12 months, but it’s usually done over two years. Some take longer if they’re completing their studies part time while working full time. MBAs cover a variety of advanced topics including leadership, strategy, economics, business ethics, and more.
This pathway may be right for you if you’ve got significant work experience (i.e. over five years in a relevant senior job), you’re confident you can handle study, and you want to skip the undergrad stuff. You’ll need to prove your work experience using a portfolio, recommendations and/or referees.
Choosing the right operations manager course
Not sure which pathway is right for you? We may be able to help.
Chat to one of our friendly course consultants today about our nationally accredited business courses, and which one may be the right fit for you. They’ll be able to answer your study questions, or put you in touch with one of our industry veteran trainers to discuss your future in operations management.
