Have you ever asked who the people in the company who work behind the scenes and play an essential role in maintaining the orderly operation of a company are? This is the job of the operational manager.
In short, an operations manager is a leader in an agency who is responsible for improving organizational performance by managing and minimizing risks that may occur in an organization’s operational processes.
Operations Manager Duties
Operations Manager is a professional responsible for improving organizational performance and managing potential risks companies could suppress and preventer from occurring.
The duties of an operational manager are pretty broad in scope because they are responsible for managerial activities, productivity, and control over effectiveness and efficiency in line with company policies.
However, each company still has different limitations regarding the scope of duties of the operational manager in detail. If we draw the outline, that’s more or less the job of an active manager.
Following are some details of the duties and responsibilities of an operations manager.
1. Oversee product quality in a company.
2. Coordinate and monitor the production-distribution activities of the company’s operational units.
3.Evaluate operational reports and company SOPs.
4. Analyze and participate in developing SOPs for the production and distribution of operational units.
5. Supervise the inventory of goods/services and the location of operational facilities.
6. Eliminate/reduce operational expenses that are not important/beyond the standard.
7. Assist in improving the operational effectiveness of the company.
Operations Manager Responsibilities
After knowing the tasks, you also need to know some of the responsibilities of an operational manager. The following are the duties:
Coordinate and control production and distribution activities of operational units
1. Playing an active role in planning and coordinating the preparation of the revenue budget for each operational unit measurably and controlling budget realization efficiently and effectively.
2. Coordinate and control the implementation of systems and procedures related to production and distribution
3. Perform detailed business process analysis in the production and distribution of operational units
4. Participate in developing SOP for the production and distribution of operational units
5. Evaluate compensation and provide training on production and distribution processes
6. Represent management in constructive communications with customers regarding production and distribution activities of operational units
7. Monitoring the receipt or payment of sales receivables
8. Evaluate operational reports and SOPs
Operations Manager 10 Required Skills
In the previous paragraph, we discussed the duties and responsibilities of an operations manager. Apart from the job description, you also have to know what skills are needed to work as an operational manager.
1. Leadership
One of the skills needed to become an operational manager is leadership skills.
As is well known, an operational manager works in a team to carry out daily tasks. With leadership skills, you will assist in directing team members when innovating and managing ideas.
The spirit of leadership also plays a vital role in motivating fellow team members. It can even help in resolving conflicts that may occur.
2. Analysis, Planning, and Set Up The Strategies
Skills in analysis, planning, and formulating strategies can be categorized as hard skills, which are vital in helping operational managers complete their daily tasks and responsibilities.
Because these three skills are very closely related to the operational manager job desk mentioned in the previous paragraph.
3. Resouce Management
In addition to leadership skills, you must also have the ability to manage company human resources.
As a leader, an operational manager must be able to manage and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Human Resources in a company by creating mutually supportive communications and making regular improvements.
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skill
The following operational manager requirement is to master interpersonal skills. This is a step to help team members and other workers develop themselves and feel comfortable while working. With these two things, every worker will be loyal to the company, so the quality performance will increase.
Communication skills are essential to serving as an operational manager. That’s because you will work with many layers of positions in the company, such as staff or higher management.
Operational managers also generally have their own team members, which means you need strong communication skills to work with team members and synergize to realize company goals.
5. Finance Management
The operational manager often deals with the company’s financial management, including planning, systems, controls, and fiscal documents, with the Chief Operation Officer (COO).
In addition, financial reports and all cost-cutting are also under the supervision of the operations manager.
6. Production Management
As the leader of operations, the ability of the operational manager to identify process improvements is also needed so that the systems and regulations in the company continue to run optimally and are by the vision and mission of the company.
Then, ensuring that every operation upholds quality is also necessary so that every worker can complete their duties and responsibilities with the same standards, namely, giving the best results.
7. Problem Solving
The operational manager must be able to handle or be responsible for some of the problems that occur in the company’s operations. Therefore he must be able to be relied upon in solving problems.
8. Motivator
The work environment is prone to stress among employees. Especially if the company has a fast work tempo. If there are employees who experience stress, of course, it can affect the company’s productivity.
To overcome this, companies need to appoint a manager who can provide work motivation to employees. Thus, the morale of the company’s employees can be maintained.
9. Time Management Skill
In the business world, it is often known that time is money. This term can be valid because the more effectively a manager manages work time, the more efficient the employee’s performance will be. As a result, the company can obtain optimal profit.
10. Inovative
Business competition is getting more challenging from time to time. If not innovative, the company will be increasingly left behind. As a result, profits will decrease because all consumers switch to competitors.
An innovative manager can help the company create new things, so the company is more vital than competing companies.