Operations management is the execution of backend business functions and is an exciting career field to join. It involves overseeing manufacturing, inventory, and quality control to ensure market-ready products and service. Whether it’s a single operations manager or a whole department, excellent operations management helps ensure business efficiency.
Learn all about about operations management, why it's important, and how you can break into this career field.
Operations management is the administration of business structure, practices, and processes to enhance efficiency and maximize profit. It refers to the management of functions that a business needs to run effectively day-to-day, including:
Overseeing multiple departments and providing goals
Overseeing and streamlining processes
Balancing revenue and costs
Developing strategic plans
Production, logistics, and supply chain
Operations are the foundation of how a business works (in terms of supply chain and logistics) and profits rely on lean, efficient operations. Poor business operations can threaten a business’s survival, so processes must be optimized, the right staff need to be employed, and physical locations must be strategic, ethical, and safe.
Duties vary according to the nature of the company and the specific role, but in general, someone working in business operations is responsible for:
Evaluating, designing, and implementing business processes
Managing logistical processes and supply chain
Overseeing production, distribution, and quality assurance
Managing and analyzing financial budgets
Making strategic decisions and engaging with other senior staff members on business strategy
Supervising employees
Supporting HR with recruitment initiatives
Building relationships with stakeholders and suppliers
Working in operations management requires a variety of skills, including:
Leadership ability
Organizational skills
Interpersonal skills
Problem-solving ability
Process improvement
Project management
Financial analysis
Business acumen
Detail-oriented approach
Communication skills
Decision-making ability
Excellent time management
inventory
英 /ˈɪnvəntri/ 美 /ˈɪnvəntɔːri/
n. 库存;(商店的)存货;(建筑物里的物品、家具等的)清单;财产清单
vt. 开列清单
streamlining processes
精简流程
logistics
英 /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/ 美 /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/
n. 物流;后勤;组织工作