What does an operations manager do and what qualifies a person to obtain that role? These are questions that have definitely come up in my journey as a project professional. An operations manager is the person who keeps a business running smoothly day in and day out.

They make sure that businesses are operating efficiently and effectively. Stepping into this role will require strong leadership skills, the ability to adapt to changes, and a deep understanding of the inner workings of business processes and procedures. 

Responsibilities of an Operations Manager

Responsibilities of an operations manager more involved than just keeping the lights on and the doors open. They are master multitaskers, and they juggle many tasks from overseeing daily operations to ensuring that every department is working in sync. Their role is crucial to maintaining a company's efficiency and profitability.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Fine-tuning processes to maximize efficiency.

• Managing supply chains to ensure smooth production and delivery.

• Overseeing financials to ensure budgets are on track.

• Collaborating with different departments to align goals and strategies.

• Adapting quickly to changes and resolving issues as they arise.

Operations managers are basically the heartbeat of the company, and without them, things can quickly fall apart. According to Glassdoor, Operations Managers in the United States can earn as much as $146,000 per year, reflecting the importance and complexity of the role.

Project Manager vs. Operations Manager: What’s the Difference?

Project managers and operations managers may seem like they’re cut from the same cloth, but their day-to-day grind is worlds apart. A project manager is more concerned with the completion of a specific project. They live and breathe deadlines, budgets, and delivering results that meet the client’s expectations.

An Operations Manager is more about playing the long game, focused on the big picture of how the entire company runs. While a project manager is working on one piece of the puzzle, an operations manager is making sure the entire puzzle stays intact.

Key Differences:

• Project managers handle individual projects with clear start and end dates, while operations managers oversee continuous, day-to-day operations.

• Project managers are deadline-driven and project-specific, whereas operations managers are focused on ongoing efficiency and company-wide goals.

• Success for a project manager is completing a project on time and within budget. For an operations manager, success means sustained productivity and profitability.

• Project managers often lead temporary teams brought together for specific projects. Operations managers work with permanent teams, focusing on long-term development and collaboration.

Similarities Between Operations and Project Managers

Both roles will require you to be a leader and have a sharp eye for detail. Whether you’re managing a project or running day-to-day operations, you’re essentially the chief problem-solver, making sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. 

Shared Skills and Responsibilities:

• Both roles demand strong leadership skills to guide teams, make decisions, and inspire productivity.

• Whether it’s a project hiccup or an operational bottleneck, both managers are expected to be problem solvers and find solutions fast.

• Managing budgets and resources are critical in both roles to ensure everything stays on track.

• Clear and effective communication is key, as both project and operations managers need to coordinate with different departments and stakeholders.

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Deciding Between Operations and Project Management as a Career

For me, the choice was easy. I enjoy working on projects with a clear end date. There’s something incredibly satisfying about mapping out a plan, coordinating resources, and watching it all come together. If that sounds like you, then project management might be the perfect fit.

Both roles are very important, but it comes down to where your strengths lie. If you thrive on strategy and keeping the big picture in check, operations will be a great fit for you.

By, Airess Rembert, PMP, Member of Women Of Project Management & Blogger at The Nerd Bae

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