Operations Manager key duties and responsibilities

Operations managers play a critical role in overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization and ensuring their profitability. Their responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, from employee management and quality control to optimizing processes and devising initiatives to drive business performance. 

The wider goal of operations management is to ensure that a company's resources are used efficiently and effectively to achieve its strategic goals. Here, we will explore the key duties and responsibilities of an operations manager, their tasks, and how they contribute to an organization's success.

What is Operations Management?

Operations management is a key part of an organization’s overall business administration function with the key goal of using resources effectively to enhance efficiency, deliver high-quality goods and services, and maximize profit.

Encompassing a wide range of activities such as inventory management, quality control, capacity planning, business travel management, production planning, supply chain management, and process design, effective operations management keeps processes running smoothly. When performed correctly, those responsible for operations management activities are able to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve customer satisfaction.

Business operations managers are ultimately responsible for running business operations, program management, and critical decision-making. However, modern organizations in all industries also use a variety of operations management software tools to help them retain a  competitive advantage, carry out the operations strategy, and meet the needs of employees and customer demand.

What does an Operations Manager do?

Operations managers are responsible for many of the critical business practices that most organizations rely on. In fact, the operations manager position contributes greatly to a business’s ability to achieve and maintain sustainable growth. Let’s take a deeper look at the role of an operations manager.

Experienced operations managers use their problem-solving and management skills to oversee the day-to-day operations of a business. Their number one role is to ensure that resources are being used and allocated wisely to secure a business’s bottom line.

One of their main responsibilities is designing and implementing processes and procedures to maximize efficiency. This could take the form of project management, budget control, reducing waste, or increasing output by reducing the steps involved in certain processes. 

Operations managers also rely on their acute leadership skills to oversee the work of employees and ensure that the work environment is conducive to productivity. This could involve training, quality management, the procurement of the right office equipment, organizing business travel, helping to establish performance goals, or negotiating employment contracts with the human resources department.

Finally, operations managers are also responsible for maintaining compliance with the relevant industry regulations and standards, as well as internal policies. This might involve the need to collaborate and work with relevant stakeholders, including government bodies, industry associations, management teams, and C-level executives such as chief operating officers and chief executive officers.

Operations Manager responsibilities, duties, and tasks list

An operation manager’s job -- and therefore their duties and tasks -- will vary depending on the business and industry they work in. A varied skill set and years of experience in their relevant industries enable them to manage many business functions. 

While some operations manager roles are entry-level, others require a higher level of work experience and additional qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree or a Master of Business Administration.

However, there are many duties that are typically found within any operations manager job description. 

• Developing and implementing operational policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective operations.

• Improving systems, processes, and best practices.

• Managing day-to-day operations as well as the operations team and operations department.

• Ensuring that organizational processes remain legally compliant with regulations and standards.

• Maintaining and enforcing health and safety guidelines. 

• Monitoring the performance and productivity of employees and teams, providing coaching, training, and feedback to improve performance.

• Managing budgets, forecasting, and allocating resources to help meet business and strategic goals. 

• Working cross-departmentally with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure that all operations are aligned with organizational objectives. 

• Developing and maintaining good relationships with vendors and suppliers.

• Negotiating contracts with suppliers and vendors to obtain the best pricing.

• Streamlining the organization’s business travel processes, including ensuring the best corporate management rates, automating expense reports, and maintaining compliance.  

• Performing quality assurance controls to ensure the company’s products and services meet customer expectations and monitoring production KPIs and metrics.

• Developing ways to increase the quality of customer service and increase customer satisfaction. 

• Analyzing data and trends to identify opportunities for process improvement and cost savings.

• Maintaining good supply chain management processes, including inventory management, production processes, sales, and sourcing of suppliers. 

• Optimizing workflows and processes to save time and money. 

• Monitoring the manufacturing process to ensure quality products, including production planning, production control, and quality control.

• Overseeing staffing plans and supervising, hiring, and training new employees.

• Reporting on operational efficiency and quality standards.

• Using strong communication skills to foster a culture of innovation and productivity in the workplace. 

• Keeping up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

• Incorporating new technologies, operating systems, and business processes when necessary.

• Maintaining service operations with the goal of ensuring sustainability across business operations.

• Creating and managing conflict-resolution programs and leading conflict-management practices.