What does an Operational Manager do?
Operational Managers often come up with strategies to develop or improve the way an organisation or company functions. They analyse customer and financial information, research the consumer market and evaluate the cost of running a company versus the profit they generate in order to determine if any operations require changes. They also typically manage the actual operations themselves and may also be responsible for reviewing employee performance.
Operational Manager skills and qualifications
A successful Operational Manager candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively. These usually include:
- Strong negotiation skills, interpersonal skills and ethics
- Analytical skills and ability to make sound business decisions
- Ability to apply business continuity principles, theories and practices
- Ability to interpret complex business issues and apply cost-effective solutions
- In-depth knowledge of operational resilience deliverables and processes
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
- Good mechanical aptitude with strong IT and technical Skills
- Ability to develop strong partnerships with internal teams such as HR, Engineering and Production
Operational Manager experience requirements
Operational Managers should have significant work experience in human resources, or managing operations and finances. Relevant pre-entry experience, such as a summer internship or work placement in the industry, is useful. Some courses provide candidates with the opportunity to take a year out in the industry, which can provide them with the opportunity to acquire practical experience and get a network of contacts. Other employers require candidates to shadow an experienced Operational Manager to gain an insight into the role.
Operational Manager education and training requirement
Operational Managers must have a foundation degree, HND or bachelor’s degree in management or a relevant field, such as accounting and business administration. A strong focus on mathematical modelling and statistics in these programmes, provides prospective Operational Managers with a thorough understanding of the financial side of a business, including cash-flow management and budgeting. Some employers may ask for a specific background or degree in, for example, engineering, chemistry or food management.
Some companies prefer candidates who have advanced degrees, such as a master’s degree in business administration or a relevant field like finance. These degrees usually take one year of full-time study to complete, and cover topics including business strategy, advanced accounting or industry-specific practices, like in healthcare or technology.
Operational Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of an Operational Manager in the UK is £41,888 per year. Their actual salary varies depending on factors, including their work experience, geographic location, company and the industry in which it operates.
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