How to become an Operations Manager- Career guide

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Have you ever seen your mom prepping for food hours before the guests are supposed to arrive and wondered why? I sure have! And back then I didn’t realize what took so much of her time. But once I started cooking, I understood that the food we get on our plates has been through so many processes with my mom overseeing the operations for each of those processes. 

Firstly she selects the right ingredients for the recipe just like procuring the right input resources. After all the ingredients are in place she will start the process of turning the unfinished products into a final product – the dish!

The processes include washing the vegetable, cutting them, boiling them, frying, or baking them. Sometimes she might also suggest a more efficient way to cook the same food ultimately helping in maximizing the productivity of the process.

Once the food is ready she will also monitor if the spices have mixed well and ensure quality assurance. Post checking the quality, the final product– the dish is then distributed to our customer base- i.e. the guests. Thus, our Mothers are the first Operations Managers who work diligently to keep the production going and make our homes the most profitable organizations to live in. 

Just like our Moms, if you want to get into operations management read further to gain information about how to become an operations manager, the education and skills required, how to prepare for the job, the salary, and much more! 

Who is an Operations Manager? 

An operations manager’s primary responsibility is to oversee the processes that go into creating a company’s products and/or services. However, the type of tasks/processes they manage depends on the kind of industry. In the retail industry, for instance, an operations manager would oversee all activities connected to everyday store floor tasks as well as planning and strategizing. An operations manager working in the construction industry would focus on setting budgets and procurement. 

Also read: Career as a Food Service Manager- A complete guide

How to become an Operations Manager? [Step by Step Guide]

Step 1: Stream selection 

To become an operations manager, a business degree is required. Therefore while you are choosing your stream post 10th, it is suggested that you take commerce as a stream because subjects like accounting, bookkeeping, and business management will help you in the future. 

Step 2: Certificate courses and Project Courses

If you’re unsure whether a career in operations management is right for you, you can test the waters by enrolling in a few online courses. You can assess your likes and dislikes more quickly with the aid of such courses. These courses do not require any eligibility, so you can try those even after your 10th grade. You can check out a few of the following courses:

Certificate CoursesInstitute offering the course  Duration 
Introduction to Operations Management University of Pennsylvania 1-4 Weeks 
Scaling Operations: Linking Strategy and Execution Northwestern University 1-3 Months 
Operations Research: an Active Learning approach edX 6 Weeks 
Operations Management Foundation LinkedIn Learning 2 hours 4 mins 
Operational Excellence Foundations LinkedIn Learning 1 hour 32 mins 
Supply Chain and Operations Management Tips LinkedIn Learning 2 hours 50 mins 
Operations Management edX 7 weeks 

Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA Founder Program further helps you get clarity, skills, and industry experience to help build your career and enterprise.

Step 3: Educational Qualifications 

What to study to become an Operations Manager in India after the 12th? 

A) Undergraduate/Diploma Courses 

There are three different pathways that you can choose to become an operations management: 

Undergraduate Course Duration 
B.Com 3 years 
BBA/ BMS3 Years 

PATH 1: To start a career in operations management, a bachelor’s degree in commerce (B.com) is a good way. You will learn the fundamentals of operating a business through courses in bookkeeping, auditing, and business management.

PATH 2: Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) teaches principles of merchandising, marketing, purchasing, inventory control, retail customer service, retail supply chain management, accounting, retail management, display tactics, etc.

Diplomas are also a good way to upskill yourself. Some of the courses that you can try include: 

Diploma Courses Institute offering the course Duration 
Diploma in Operations Management NMIMS 1 year 
Diploma in Operations Management Alison 6-10 hours 
Advanced Diploma in Operations Management Indian School of Business Management and Administration 1 Year 
Advanced Diploma in Operations Management Xavier’s Institute of Business Management Studies 1 Year 
Diploma in Operations Management Sai Nath University 1 Year 

Also read: How to become a Business Consultant

B) Top Colleges to become an operations manager in India: 

  • Christ Academy Insititute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore 
  • Narsee Monjee Insitute of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai 
  • Amity Global Business School, Noida 
  • DY Patil University, Pune 
  • MIT College of Management, Pune 
  • Mount Caramel Institute of Management, Bangalore 
  • GD Goenka University of Management, Gurgaon 
  • Symbiosis Institute of Management, Pune 
  • Bharti Vidyapeeth University, Pune 

What to Study to become an Operations Manager abroad 

A) Undergraduate/Diploma Courses 

Degrees abroad differ slightly depending on the country and the course curriculum followed. Some of the courses that you might want to check out include: 

Undergraduate Degree Estimated Duration 
BBA in Tourism, Hotel Management, and Operations4 Years 
B.Sc. in Econometrics and Operations Research3 Years 
Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management3-4 Years 
BSc (Hons) in Finance, Operations Research, Management, and Statistics3 Years 
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Strategy, Management, and Operations 4 Years 

The name of these courses or duration may differ depending on the country you apply to. You can also opt for diploma/Certificate courses if you don’t want to invest so many years. Some of them that you should check out include: 

Diploma Course Institute offering Duration 
Graduate Certificate in Operations Excellence University of Cincinnati 1 Year 
Graduate Certificate in Operations Management Fanshawe College 30 Weeks 
Graduate Operations Management Certificate Western New England 12 Credit Hours 

B) Top Colleges to become an operations manager abroad: 

  • London School of Business and Finance, Singapore 
  • The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
  • University of Pennsylvania, USA
  • University of York, UK 
  • The Ohio State University, USA
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA 
  • University of Alberta, Canada 

Step 4: Job Preparation required to become an Operations Manager 

To become an Operations Manager, a Masters’s degree (like an MBA) is preferable. However, you can experiment with a few things before you get a job which will also help you to develop skills and create a relevant resume. Here are some ways you can do that: 

  1. Experiment while Interning: Interns in operations may assist with data management, hiring practices, policy development, and production oversight. Additionally, interns hone their organizational planning, resource management, and management of finances and budgets skills. You can acquire the knowledge and abilities needed for the profession by working under the supervision of a senior manager.
  2. Build Connections: LinkedIn is a great platform to build connections and get advice from experts who are already in the industry for a long time now. So don’t be afraid to ask questions to people and increase your chances to get connected to the right people and maybe hired too. 
  3. Subscribe to relevant newsletters/magazines: With globalization, things are changing at a fast pace. Therefore for you to distinguish yourself from the crowd, you must know the trends of the current industry. Newsletters and Business magazines are good places to find the information, showing you are up to date on industry-relevant topics during your interviews. 

Skills required to become an Operations Manager 

  • Standards implementation 
  • Technical Know-how 
  • Industry jargon 
  • Analytical skills 
  • Good observation 
  • Strategic planning 
  • Financial administration 
  • Communication skills 
  • Organizational skills 

Also read about: How to become an Event Manager

Salary of an Operations Manager 

Salary in India for an operations manager 

The average yearly income for an operations executive in India is 2.6 Lakhs, with salaries ranging from 1.5 Lakhs to 4.2 Lakhs. Once you gain some experience and move on to the position of Operations Manager in India you can expect to get average annual pay of 9,42,259 INR.

The geographical location also determines the pay. Some of the highest paying cities in India include: 

  • Bengaluru, Karnataka: 5,05,809 INR/Year 
  • Noida, Uttar Pradesh: 4,95,228 INR/Year 
  • Mumbai, Maharashtra: 4,65,229 INR/Year 
  • Ahmedabad, Gujarat: 4,46,670 INR/Year 
  • Gurgaon, Haryana: 4,23,444 INR/Year 

Salary for an Operations Manager Abroad 

The salary of an operations manager also differs depending on the kind of experience and the company you work for. However, a general overview of the salary is shown below: 

Country USA UK Canada Australia  Russia  New Zealand  Germany  Singapore 
Average Salary per year $68322£46,814C$71073AU$84424RUB 204,053NZ$81400.€50983S$63157

Top Recruiters in India 

  • Cognizant Technology Solutions
  • Genpact 
  • Accenture 
  • Amazon 
  • Capgemini 
  • Wipro 
  • Axis Bank 
  • HDFC Bank 
  • Swiggy 
  • OYO 

Top Recruiters Abroad  

  • Amazon 
  • JP Morgon 
  • US Army 
  • Bank of America 
  • Google 
  • Walmart 
  • Target 
  • MinebaeMitsui 
  • Macquarie Group 
  • Deloitte

Operation Management is fun if you like detail-oriented and planning. Observing and picking out things that don’t really work fine is the way you can start analyzing your interest in the field. Additionally, if you find yourself giving advice to people on how to improve things or suggest alternatives then operation management might be for you. However, if you are still confused then taking up courses might help. Clever Harvey’s JuniorMBA programs are one of a kind that will help you gain career clarity. 

Careers after 12th Commerce

FAQs about how to become an operations manager

What qualifications do you need to be an operations manager?

A university degree in industrial technology, industrial engineering, business administration (BBA), or other related field works. Other than that production knowledge of the concerned industry and understanding practical expertise in the management of operations and organizational efficiency is a must. 

How many years does it take to become an operations manager?

Become an operations manager, it will take you eight to ten years in total. This entails finishing a four-year business administration undergraduate degree in addition to accumulating three to five years of training and work experience. A Master’s degree also adds value to your resume. 

Is operations management a good career?

For people who are extremely organized and enjoy planning and arranging tasks related to the creation and on-time delivery of high-quality products at a reasonable price, the career prognosis for operations management is positive.

How do I get a job in operations management?

Step 1: Get an undergraduate degree in business 
Step 2: Get a few internships
Step 3: Create a relevant portfolio 
Step 4: Can pursue Masters’s (MBA) 
Step 5: Get a job 

Can I be an operations manager with no experience?

Many firms need many years of experience in operations management or another comparable field in addition to your undergraduate degree. To hone your managerial and leadership abilities, take into consideration applying for an entry-level management position.

What does an ops manager do?

Operations managers typically are in charge of their company’s overall strategy. Process, purchasing, accounting, human resources, inventory, and IT management fall within their purview. The professional path of an operations manager has several tiers.

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