How to Become an Operations Manager in India?

In any organisation, operations management is a massive business function that is primarily detail- and decision-oriented. These are the main competencies that are required, along with process management expertise. Operations managers play a crucial role in directing the various steps that turn raw materials into the desired product or service by efficiently utilising skilled labour. The phrase “Jack of all trades, but Master of one” is an appropriate metaphor for the position of an operations manager. In this blog, we’ll understand how can one become an Operations Manager in India. Let’s dive right in!

Who is an Operations Manager?

The hand that holds everything together so that an organisation can run smoothly is an operations manager. The project, which is composed of numerous processes, serves as the sole point of contact. The operations manager, depending on the organisation, typically coordinates all the necessary stakeholders, from the inventory supplier to the successful delivery of the desired product to the customer in accordance with the customer’s expectations. They must be very adaptable, able to multitask and get things done while keeping the needs of the customer in mind in order to do this.

They would be responsible for managing everything from enlisting the appropriate suppliers, obtaining the necessary inventory in accordance with timeline expectations, hiring skilled labour to process the inventory, managing processes that ensure the quality of the finished product, managing the delivery of the product to the customer, and, most importantly, managing customer satisfaction. To ensure maximum profit, these processes must also be managed at the lowest possible operational cost.

Also Read: MBA in Operations Management

What Does an Operations Manager Do? 

Operations managers play a crucial role in almost every organisation, where they oversee many of their companies’ operations and direct various processes. Their duties include everything from developing hiring and training processes to assessing and enhancing organisational operations. Numerous managers are also in charge of production-related procedures, such as planning, design, and quality control. Depending on the sector they work in, the operations manager is also accountable for a number of additional crucial job responsibilities, including:

• Creating organisational strategies and practises
• Managing practices for quality assurance and control
• Monitoring the planning, reporting, and performance of the budget
• Controlling inventory distribution and storage
• Working in conjunction with executives to launch operational strategies
• Directing groups of people through routine tasks in areas such as production, administration, and human resources
• Planning and coordinating changes, like the adoption of new technologies
• Establishing objectives and processes for hiring new employees
• Designing and carrying out strategies for professional growth and training
• Making and carrying out performance evaluations and improvement plans
• Enforcing workplace regulations, such as those related to health and safety

Top Management Courses, Specializations & Scope

Types of Operations Manager

Professionals in operations management can work in a variety of career fields and in a range of capacities. Consider a few possible specialisations for operations managers:

• Supply Chain Management: Operations managers in supply chain management are in charge of production, distribution, and inventory management. To maintain production materials, they might also be in charge of supplier sourcing and procurement.

• Project management: In a variety of industries, operations project managers keep an eye on the progress of team and departmental projects. Project Management people frequently oversee team collaboration in this area, assign tasks, track productivity, and put strategies in place to raise productivity and maximise project ROI.

• Human resources management: HR operations managers frequently plan and implement the practises that staff members adhere to at work. Operations managers in this industry are also in charge of hiring, budgeting, and employee relations.

• Logistics Management: Field operations managers who focus on logistics work in distribution centres and oversee shipping and order fulfilment activities. To guarantee prompt customer deliveries, the logistics management team assess and select cost-effective transportation services.

• Budget planning and management: Operational budget management experts are in charge of operational budget planning and evaluation. They keep track of and document all financial activities related to business operations, such as sales, expenses, and overhead costs.

Why Become an Operations Manager?

• You can earn a good salary as an operations manager. 
• There is a high demand for and relative security in careers in operations. 
• You’ll probably get a job and gain a lot of respect. 
• Because there are so many different industries to work in, including telecommunications, construction, trading, import/export, etc., you can transfer your skills across different sectors and industries.

How to Become a Business Manager in India? 

Eligibility Criteria

To become an operations manager, you frequently need to have the necessary professional management qualifications. A bachelor’s degree or master’s in business administration or a closely related field is required. One can apply for a job as an operations manager after earning the necessary academic credentials. In addition, an operations manager needs to be an excellent communicator, have strong leadership and interpersonal skills, and be aware of client and customer needs.

The following academic prerequisites must be met to become an operations manager:

Subject Combination: Any stream in a recognised board’s class 12.

• Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any field from a university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 50% or an equivalent CGPA, or have an equivalent qualification.
• A Master’s in Operations Management, such as an MBA (Operations) or a Post Graduate Diploma in Operational Management, is also required of candidates.

Benefits of an MBA in Operations Management

Your career in operations can be launched with an MBA in Operations Management. It gives you a thorough understanding of all the various operational aspects and gives you the skills needed to be successful in any position. Additionally, it prepares you for a variety of operations-related career opportunities, including jobs at start-ups, multinational corporations, and even consulting firms.

• An MBA in Operations Management might be the best option for you if you want to advance your career and are interested in business management. With this degree, you’ll discover how to oversee a business’s operations and make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
• Additionally, you will learn more about various business sectors and be able to apply this knowledge to your company’s needs.
• It’s crucial to keep in mind that getting an MBA in operations management entails learning more than just the operational details. It also involves gaining leadership and management skills. When you’re looking for a job as an operations manager, this can be extremely helpful.
• A great way to enhance your resume is to get an MBA in operations management, especially if you want to apply for jobs at big companies. You will have an advantage over other candidates who might lack this essential knowledge if you have a strong background in operations.

Steps to Becoming an Operations Manager 

How to start a career as an operations manager can be better understood by referring to the steps below:

Get a Bachelor’s Degree

Most operations managers begin their careers with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a closely related field. A business administration bachelor’s degree, for instance, can help you advance in a variety of business fields, such as accounting and finance, human resources, project management, information technology, logistics, and organisational planning. Your knowledge of leadership and business management can ultimately be advanced by the skills you learn in an undergraduate programme.

Finish an Internship

Another practical way to develop professional experience in your field is to complete an internship. As a requirement for their undergraduate degrees, internships are often completed by future managers. Overseeing production, administration, hiring practices, employee training, policy development, and data management are just a few of the roles operations interns might take on. Additionally, interns hone their organisational planning, resource management, and management of finances and budgets skills. Ultimately, completing an internship while being supervised by a senior manager can assist you in acquiring the knowledge and abilities needed for the position.

Try Obtaining a Certification

A lot of operations managers also pursue professional certifications, such as certification in human resources, finance operations, or supply chain management. Certification can boost your earning potential and demonstrate your expertise in your field, even though some employers may not require it. For instance, operations managers can obtain credentials from the Institute of Certified Professional Managers, such as the Certified Manager (CM) credential, or from the Association for Supply Chain Management, such as the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) credential. You can pursue many more different kinds of credentials to prove your skill and knowledge as an operations manager, depending on your particular field.

Obtain Relevant Experience

Many employers demand several years of experience in operations management or another related field in addition to your undergraduate degree. To hone your managerial and leadership abilities, take into consideration applying for an entry-level management position. You can take part in professional development, training, or continuing education programmes as your career progresses.

Certificate Courses for Operations Management

You can take a few online courses to see if an operations management career is right for you if you’re not sure. With the help of such courses, you can more quickly determine your preferences. You can enrol in these courses even after completing your tenth-grade education because there are no prerequisites. You can look into a few of the courses listed below:

Certificate Courses	Institute offering the course	Duration
Operations Research: an Active Learning approach	edX	6 Weeks
Operations Management Foundation	LinkedIn Learning	2 hours 4 mins
Operational Excellence Foundations	LinkedIn Learning	1 hour 32 mins
Supply Chain and Operations Management Tips	LinkedIn Learning	2 hours 50 mins
Operations Management	edX	7 weeks

Skills Required

Both technical skills and soft skills are required to become an efficient Operations Manager. Some of the major skills required for this role include

• Standards implementation 
• Technical Know-how 
• Industry jargon 
• Analytical skills 
• Good observation 
• Strategic planning 
• Financial administration 
• Communication skills 
• Organizational skills
• Critical thinking
• Leadership
• Time management

Operations Manager Career Scope

Candidates with relevant work experience and academic credentials are preferred by employers. Operations manager positions are regarded as prestigious and well-paying. Operations Manager positions are widely available. Other organisations can easily hire operations managers for the same position. Senior positions like Board of Directors, Senior Managers, or Chief Operations Managers are promoted from the position of operations manager.

Between 2020 and 2030, general and operations managers are expected to see a 9% increase in job opportunities. The industry and particular area of expertise may also affect this growth rate. For instance, as employees leave the workforce to retire or pursue other career paths, the demand for top executives may change. Location can impact how much demand there is for operations managers.

How to Become a Project Manager?

Salary

Operations executives in India makes an average of 2.6 lakhs per year, with salaries ranging from 1.5 lakhs to 4.2 lakhs. The average annual salary for an operations manager in India is 9,42,259 INR once you have some experience and advance to that position.

The pay is additionally based on location. Indian cities with some of the highest salaries include

• Bengaluru, Karnataka: 5,05,809 INR/Year 
• Noida, Uttar Pradesh: 4,95,228 INR/Year 
• Mumbai, Maharashtra: 4,65,229 INR/Year 
• Ahmedabad, Gujarat: 4,46,670 INR/Year 
• Gurgaon, Haryana: 4,23,444 INR/Year

Top Recruiters

Some of the top recruiting companies for Operations Manager are given below:

• Amazon
• Ernst & Young
• JP Morgan Chase
• Bank of America
• Accenture
• Dell
• Amazon
• Apple
• McKinsey
• L&T
• KPMG
• Nike 
• Delloite

FAQs

This was all about How to become an Operations Manager in India. Discover more about careers in India on Wings by Leverage Edu.