When an organization operates smoothly, customers rarely realize the role played by the management in this. It is only in times of crisis, such as during a pandemic, that people notice the role operations management plays in things like the supply chain and production of goods.
Operations management is a crucial component of any business. This department is responsible for managing the capital and labor of an organization and turning it into products and services. A degree in this field teaches you organizational skills such as quality control, supply chain management, management of inventory, product distribution, and conducting communication between different parties. It can open up many career opportunities, from manufacturing to healthcare, with operations managers playing a vital role in ensuring that organizations run smoothly and efficiently.
If you’re wondering what you can do after completing an education in operations management, here’s what you need to know:
Work In Production
Average annual salary: $75,868
One of the most common careers for graduates with an operations management degree is that of a production manager. These professionals oversee the production process in a manufacturing setting, ensuring that products are completed on time, within budget, and match the required quality standards. It can include managing the flow of raw materials, coordinating the work of production teams, and monitoring the performance of equipment and machinery.
Entering this field with a certificate in operations management gives you an advantage over other candidates applying for similar roles. The training and skills you acquire give you insights into what an ideal supply chain system should look like and also improve your communication and leadership skills.
Work In Logistics
Average annual salary: $70,433
Logistics managers are responsible for coordinating the movement of goods and services, both within an organization and between suppliers and customers. It can include managing the transportation of goods, overseeing the storage and distribution of materials, and ensuring inventory levels are maintained.
A logistics manager is essential to the smooth functioning of any organization, and their work during times of crisis, where there are sudden changes in the supply patterns of consumers, is critical. The skills imparted in an organizational management degree give you the necessary qualities to flourish in such a position since any logistical manager relies most heavily on their ability to organize the movement of goods and to communicate between parties.
Work In The Service Sector
Average annual salary: $77,932
Operations management graduates may also find opportunities in the service sector, such as becoming service operations managers in the healthcare industry. Service operations managers are responsible for ensuring that patients receive high-quality care in a timely and efficient manner. It can include managing the flow of patients through a hospital or clinic, coordinating the work of healthcare professionals, and monitoring the quality and performance of medical equipment.
Working as a service operations manager in healthcare is a career option growing in significance in this post-pandemic world. It is of great importance that healthcare institutions are managed in a way that allows the most patients to get the best possible care. An operations management professional with skills in managing the supply of services in the most efficient manner possible will have skills that align very clearly with this profession.
Work In The Retail Industry
Average annual salary: $60,018
Retail operations managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a retail store, including managing inventory, coordinating the work of sales associates, and ensuring that customers receive excellent service.
Work In Supply Chain Management
Average annual salary: $85,087
Supply chain managers oversee the flow of goods and materials from suppliers to customers. It can include managing logistics, overseeing the work of freight forwarders and customs brokers, and ensuring that products are delivered on time and at the right price.
A supply chain manager must have good organizational and analytical skills, a clear idea of their company’s future expected demand, and the ability to produce a volume of goods to match this demand. They must also have good planning skills to ensure the timely sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing, and final product delivery. An operations management degree works specifically on developing these outlined skills and gives any graduate a clear advantage in this field.
Work In Consulting
Average annual salary: $94,760
Operations management degree graduates can also find opportunities in consulting. Consultants help companies improve their functioning by analyzing their structural set-up and recommending changes. They can work with many industries, from manufacturing to healthcare to media, and can help organizations improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.
Since working as a consultant is about giving companies recommendations to improve their organizational practices, a degree in operations management, which focuses on organizational skills, is an ideal choice.
Work In E-Commerce
Average annual salary: $67,020
With the rise of e-commerce and digital platforms, operations management graduates may also find career opportunities in e-commerce operations. E-commerce operations managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a company’s online store, including inventory management, customer service, and order fulfillment.
It is a rapidly growing field with great upward potential for its existing employees. Finding work in the e-commerce industry is extremely future-friendly, and its employees can hone their skills in a space quickly growing into the preferred way for consumers to conduct their purchases.
Conclusion
An operations management degree can open up many career opportunities across various industries. From manufacturing to healthcare, operations managers play a vital role in ensuring that organizations run smoothly and efficiently. Graduates in operations management develop highly valuable skills in any industry, such as managing supply chains, regulating inventory and equipment, and managing employees and customers. If you’re considering studying this qualification, you can find success in fields such as managing production or logistics, working as a consultant, and working in a supply chain or retail industry, both physical and virtual.