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OCCinfo - Operations Manager

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Operations Manager
Operations managers direct and co-ordinate the operation of manufacturing, service delivery and production departments in industrial, commercial and government organizations. Also Known As: NOC Number(s): Logistics Manager, Production Supervisor, Supply Chain Manager 0911

Minimum Education: Education/training requirements vary Employment Outlook: Job openings generated due to employment turnover. Occupational outlook currently unavailable. Interests: DIM

Related Videos: Supply Chain Management (green careers) (Video courtesy of the Van Horne Institute)
Duties | Working Conditions | Personal Characteristics | Education | Employment | Salary | Other Information | Related Occupations | Related School Subjects | Related Field of Study

Duties
Operations managers oversee the activities in an organization that are directly related to making a product or providing a service. In other words, they oversee how people, materials, equipment, energy, money and information inputs are converted into useful goods and services. In general, operations managers: analyze, design and improve the processes by which goods and services are produced implement and manage quality assurance and safety programs forecast future demand for goods and services develop short, intermediate and long production and service plans based on demand forecasts for good and services recommend locations for facilities such as plants, warehouses and service units plan the layout of facilities measure and improve productivity manage materials including purchasing, inventory control and distribution manage logistics and supply chains (the movement of goods into and out of production, distribution and retail facilities) develop contingency plans for unexpected changes in supply chains manage the work force (for example, plan work schedules to meet projected demands for goods and services) manage supplier and customer relationship. Operation managers may have to facilitate the flow of information between all business functions inside the organization using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and systems. They should also have a good understanding of the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process to effectively carry out many of their duties.
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Working Conditions
Operations managers usually work standard office hours but overtime may be required when an organization makes significant changes to its operations. Some travel may be required, particularly in organizations with many facilities.

Personal Characteristics
Operations managers need the following characteristics: good oral and written communication skills good analytical skills the ability to motivate, lead and manage employees a commitment to customer satisfaction. They should enjoy: directing the work of others negotiating with other managers to find innovative solutions to problems taking a methodical approach to their work working in a team environment.

Educational Requirements
There is no standard educational requirement to become an operations manager but a related degree or postsecondary diploma in business or engineering is recommended. Employers in particular industries may require specialized courses or related experience. APICS - The Association for Operations Management awards the designation CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) to members who have successfully completed the CSCP exam. APICS awards the designation CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) to those who have successfully completed five exams. Preparatory courses are offered through post-secondary institutions and exam modules are available on the APICS website. Alberta Institute Purchasing Management Association of Canada (AIPMAC) awards a designation for SCMP (Supply Chain Management Professional) to those who have completed the SCMP designation program. For more information visit the AIPMAC website. In Alberta, post-secondary institutions throughout the province offer related business administration, management and engineering programs (for more information, visit EDinfo). The following institutions offer programs with specializations in operations or supply chain management: Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton offers a four year Bachelor of Commerce degree program with a major in supply chain management. The entrance requirement is an average of 65 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30 (or equivalent), and three other courses chosen from specified lists of eligible courses (or equivalent courses). Students are required to take three four-month co-op work placements to complete the program. Mount Royal University in Calgary offers a four year Bachelor in Business Administration program with a minor in supply chain management. The entrance requirement is a 60 per cent average in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30 and three other appropriate Grade 12 subjects. The College also offers a Supply Chain Management Extension certificate program through Continuing Education. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton offers an 11 module Operations Management program through Continuing Education. The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Edmonton offers an Operations Management certificate program through Continuing Education. The University of Alberta in Edmonton offers four and five year (co-op) Bachelor of Commerce degree
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programs with specializations in operations management and distribution management. The entrance requirements are a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30, a 30 level science and two other approved Grade 12 subjects, and completion of one pre-professional year of studies. The University of Calgary offers four year and five year (co-op) Bachelor of Commerce degree programs in Management with specialization in operations management and supply chain management. The entrance requirement is a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30 and three of the following: Math 31, Social Studies 30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Science 30, a 30 level language other than English, one five-credit Grade 12 subject. Post-secondary institutions throughout the province offer university transfer programs that allow students to apply up to two years of study toward university bachelor's degree programs. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the courses they choose to take will be accepted for credit at the institution to which they wish to transfer. For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

Employment and Advancement

Operations managers work in advisory and management positions with: consulting firms manufacturers transportation companies distribution organizations logistic service providers service institutions. Experienced operations managers may advance to senior management positions. Operations managers are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 0911: Manufacturing Managers. In Alberta, 82 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries: Manufacturing Wholesale Trade . The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including: trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above) location in Alberta employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions) occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before) size of the occupation. Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years. Section revised November 2013

Salary
Salaries for operations managers depend on the size and nature of the organization, the responsibilities of the position and the qualifications of the operations manager. According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Manufacturing Managers occupational group earned on average from $35.20 to $50.64 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $42.71 an hour.
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For more detailed information, see WAGEinfo.

Other Sources of Information

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above) EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo AIPMAC - Alberta Institute Purchasing Management Association of Canada: www.aipmac.ab.ca APICS - The Association for Operations Management website: www.apics.org APICS Region VIII, Calgary Chapter website: www.apics-calgary.org APICS Region VIII, Edmonton Chapter website: www.apicsedmonton.com Careers in Transportation website: www.transpocity.ca Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council (CSCSC) website: www.supplychaincanada.org

Related Occupational Profiles

Business Continuity Planner Industrial Engineer Management Consultant Manufacturing Engineer Operations Research Analyst Retail and Wholesale Buyer Traffic Manager

Related High School Subjects

Business, Administration, Finance and Information Technology (Financial Management; and Management and Marketing); English Language Arts; Health, Recreation and Human Services (Human and Social Services; and Legal Studies); Mathematics; Science; and Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation (Logistics)

Related Post-Secondary Field of Study

Business, Management and Administrative Studies; and Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies Produced January 2013
Top of Profile

For more information on career planning, occupations and educational programs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website at alis.alberta.ca, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you. The information contained in this profile was current as of the dates shown. Salaries, employment outlook and educational programs may change. Please check the information before making any career decisions. Government of Alberta, Human Services

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