Operations management is one of the important business functions. It ensures that the organisations operate smoothly, efficiently, and consistently across all levels.
In every industry, operations managers play a key role in aligning people, processes, and resources to achieve organisational objectives. Their work has a direct impact on the ability of the organisation to sustain growth in a competitive environment.
Whether itā€™s streamlining workflows, controlling costs, or improving productivity, their influence is felt across departments and industries.
In this article, we explain what does an operations manager do and explore career opportunities and the skills needed to succeed in this field.
Table of Contents
What is an Operations Manager?
An operations manager plays a major role in aligning daily business activities with organisational objectives.
Rather than focusing on one department, they work across various functions and ensure that systems, workflows, and practices operate smoothly and consistently. Their involvement supports both short-term performance and long-term strategic direction.
At a foundational level, what does an operations manager do is ensure operational stability while enabling growth.
The key tasks of an operations manager include:
- Plans, organises, and coordinates business operations.
- Oversees multiple departments and workflows.
- Improves efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
- Develops budgets aligned with revenue and costs.
- Supports leadership vision through operational execution.
Read: How to Become an Operations Manager in South Africa? Required Qualifications & Skills
What Operations Managers Do
Operations managers are responsible for maintaining continuity and efficiency in the core activities of the company.
They bridge the gaps between teams, resources, and objectives, ensuring that work progresses without unnecessary delays or disruptions. Their role and responsibilities involve both focusing on people as well as managing the processes.
Some of the roles and responsibilities of an operations manager are as follows:
- Manage people, processes, and operational systems.
- Oversee project delivery and resource allocation.
- Support team growth and performance development.
- Ensure compliance with policies and industry standards.
- Collaborate with senior leadership and external stakeholders.
What Education Is Required to Become an Operations Manager?
Education provides the foundational knowledge that is needed to understand business systems and operational frameworks. Formal qualifications help aspiring professionals to develop analytical and managerial qualities, as well as decision-making capabilities. Advanced education further strengthens leadership and strategic thinking.
Below are the degrees that help in building a career in operations management:
- A bachelorā€™s degree in business, operations, or supply chain management.
- Exposure to finance, management, and organisational behaviour.
- Postgraduate qualifications such as an MBA or PDBM.
- Professional certifications in HR, supply chain, or accounting tools.
- Ongoing learning through industry-relevant credentials.
Key Responsibilities of Operations Management
Operations managers oversee a wide range of responsibilities that improve organisational performance. They look after the consistency, accountability, and efficiency across daily operations while supporting strategic objectives.
When considering what does an operations manager do, responsibility management-related core elements are as follows:
- Overseeing daily operations and workflows
- Coordinating teams across departments
- Monitoring KPIs and performance metrics
- Managing budgets and controlling costs
- Supporting strategic planning and execution
Also Read: What is Operations Management? Understanding Its Core Functions and Importance
Why Operations Manager Is Important to Business Success
The duties of an operations manager directly influence how effectively a business delivers valuable resources. By ensuring that systems, resources, and processes function cohesively, operations managers help organisations remain competitive and responsive to change.
Some points that highlight why operations manager roles and responsibilities are essential to long-term success are as follows:
- Improve operational efficiency and productivity.
- Strengthen supply chain and inventory coordination.
- Maintain steady and consistent quality standards.
- Enable effective capacity of planning.
- Support innovation through the adoption of technology.
Also Read: Risk Management in Operations: Lessons from Regenesys MBA
Career Opportunities in Operations Manager
Operations management offers diverse career paths across various sectors.
Each role focuses on a specific operational area while contributing to broader organisational goals. Choosing the right educational pathway helps professionals align their skills with their desired career direction.
The roles that reflect varied operations manager job responsibilities across industries are:
- Operations Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
- Production Manager
- Logistics Manager
- Project Manager
How Regenesys Prepares You for a Career in Operations Management
Regenesys Education equips aspiring professionals with industry-relevant operational expertise.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management at Regenesys Business School focuses on core areas such as strategic thinking, leadership, finance, and operations, which are essential to understand what does an operations manager do in modern organisations.
This programme bridges academic knowledge with real-world business applications.
- In-depth coverage of operations and strategic management.
- Practical case studies and real-world applications.
- Leadership and decision-making skill development.
- Exposure to global business practices.
- Career-focused curriculum aligned with industry needs.
Read More: PDBM to Manager: Why South African Employers Value This Pathway?
Explore Our Other Programmes
Conclusion
Operations managers ensure organisational efficiency, consistency, and growth. The blog provides an easy explanation of what does an operations manager do, while examining the core operations manager roles and responsibilities, and outlining the essential operations manager job responsibilities across industries.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management by Regenesys Education provides aspiring professionals with the strategic insight, operational knowledge, and leadership skills that are required to succeed in operations management roles.
If you are ready to build a career in operations management, enrol with Regenesys Education.
FAQs
What are the duties of an operations manager?
An operations manager looks after the daily operations, manages teams, controls costs, tracks performance, and improves overall efficiency.
Is an operations manager higher than HR?
An operations manager is not higher than HR, as both roles operate at similar levels but focus on different organisational functions.
Who qualifies as an operations manager?
Individuals with relevant education, operational experience, and strong leadership and problem-solving skills are qualified to serve as operations managers.
What are the five basic operations of a manager?
The five basic operations are planning, organising, staffing, directing, and controlling.
Who does an operations manager report to?
An operations manager typically reports to senior executives such as the Chief Operating Officer or Chief Executive Officer.
What skills are needed for an Operations Manager?
Key skills include leadership, communication, analytical thinking, budgeting, decision-making, and process optimisation.
What are the three main functions of operations management?
The three main functions are process design, quality management, and capacity planning.
