What Does an Operations Executive Do?

Operations executives are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of their company or organization. They commonly manage a team of employees who work on projects related to production, sales, marketing, and other areas of business activity.

Operations executives may also be tasked with developing new strategies or plans for growing their company’s business in the future. This might include identifying new markets to enter, creating partnerships with other companies, or developing new products or services that can be sold to existing customers.

Operations Executive Job Duties

Operations executives typically have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Controlling costs through continuous improvement initiatives to identify and eliminate waste
• Providing leadership in a team environment to achieve organizational goals
• Analyzing data and making recommendations to senior management regarding changes to improve efficiency or reduce costs
• Managing projects that require complex planning and integration of multiple tasks and details
• Creating organizational structures and procedures to support new business initiatives or company growth
• Monitoring market conditions and competitor activities to identify opportunities for new products or services
• Developing strategic plans for an organization’s overall operating goals and objectives
• Directing the work of subordinate managers and staff members to ensure that objectives are met
• Making strategic decisions based on current events in the industry, new legislation, technological advances, etc.

Operations Executive Salary & Outlook

Operations executives’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses or commissions.

• Median Annual Salary: $66,500 ($31.97/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $121,000 ($58.17/hour)

The employment of operations executives is expected to decline over the next decade.

Employment growth for operations executives depends on the overall health of the economy. As the economy grows, more businesses will need to increase production and distribution of their products and services. However, automation and information technology may allow fewer operations executives to oversee the same amount of work as in the past.

Related: Operations Executive Interview Questions and Answers

Operations Executive Job Requirements

The following are some of the requirements that are typically needed in order to become an operations executive:

Education: Most employers require operations executives to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business administration, finance or engineering. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). An MBA program typically takes two years to complete and includes coursework in finance, accounting, marketing and management.

Training & Experience: Operations executives often have extensive training in their previous roles. They may have worked in a managerial or executive role in a similar industry. They may have worked in a lower-level operations role before advancing to an operations executive position.

Operations executives can also receive training through executive education programs. Executive education programs are often tailored to the specific industry and can help operations executives learn more about the business. They may cover topics such as leadership, management, business strategy and more.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications are not usually a requirement to become an operations executive, but they can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate that you are a highly motivated and ambitious professional.

Operations Executive Skills

Operations executives need the following skills in order to be successful:

Leadership: Leadership skills can help you become an operations executive. This skill set can help you motivate and inspire your team to work together to achieve organizational goals. You can also use leadership skills to help your team work through challenges and change.

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information to others. Operations executives must be able to communicate effectively with their team, clients and other stakeholders. This includes written communication, such as emails, and verbal communication, such as phone calls and meetings. Operations executives must also be able to communicate complex ideas in a simple way that others can understand.

Decision-making: Operations executives make decisions on a daily basis, so it’s important for them to have the ability to make informed decisions. Operations executives make decisions about company operations, marketing strategies, employee management and more. Operations executives can make better decisions when they have the ability to gather and analyze information, weigh options and make informed decisions.

Problem-solving: Operations executives often use their problem-solving skills to identify and address issues that affect the company’s productivity. For example, if a supplier doesn’t deliver a product on time, an operations executive might work with their team to find an alternative supplier or develop a contingency plan to continue operations without the missing product.

Critical thinking: Critical thinking is the ability to analyze a situation and make a decision based on the information you have. Operations executives often make executive decisions that affect the company’s bottom line, so it’s important that they can make informed decisions. Operations executives use critical thinking to make decisions about production, sales, marketing and other business operations.

Operations Executive Work Environment

Operations executives typically work in an office environment, although they may travel to different locations as needed. They usually work regular business hours, although they may occasionally work overtime to meet deadlines or attend meetings. Operations executives may be under a lot of pressure to meet deadlines and goals, and they may have to work with a variety of people, including other executives, managers, and staff.

Operations Executive Trends

Here are three trends influencing how operations executives work. Operations executives will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for Speed

The need for speed is a trend that is affecting all industries, but it is particularly evident in the operations field. Companies are looking for ways to streamline their processes and make them more efficient, which means that they are looking for employees who can think on their feet and make quick decisions.

Operations executives who are able to adapt to this trend will be in high demand, as they will be able to help companies achieve the speed and efficiency that they are looking for. This may require a change in the way that businesses are run, such as by adopting new technologies or changing the way that tasks are assigned.

Automation Will Continue to Grow

As automation continues to grow, operations executives will need to learn how to work with robots and other machines.

This trend is already being seen in many industries, where machines are being used to do tasks that were once done by humans. Operations executives will need to learn how to work with these machines in order to stay competitive.

A Greater Focus on Supply Chain Management

As businesses become more globalized, the focus on supply chain management has grown. This trend is likely to continue as businesses look for ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Operations executives can capitalize on this trend by becoming experts in supply chain management. They can do this by learning about best practices and by developing relationships with suppliers and vendors. In addition, they can also develop skills in areas such as logistics and inventory management.

How to Become an Operations Executive

Operations executives can have a long and successful career in many different industries. They need to be able to think creatively about how to solve problems, and they must be able to work well with people at all levels of the organization.

One way to become an operations executive is to start your career as a manufacturing engineer. This will give you the technical skills you need to understand how products are made and how processes can be improved. You can then move into an operations role where you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the factory. As you gain experience, you may be promoted to manager or director level positions where you will oversee multiple factories or plants.

Advancement Prospects

Operations executives are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company. They oversee the production of goods and services and make sure that they are delivered to customers on time and within budget. Operations executives typically have a background in business administration or engineering.

As an operations executive, you will likely start out as a manager or supervisor in a particular area of operations. With experience, you may be promoted to director of operations or vice president of operations. In larger companies, you may eventually become the chief operating officer (COO). As a COO, you will be responsible for all of the company’s operations, including manufacturing, marketing, sales, and customer service.

Operations Executive Job Description Example

The Operations Executive is responsible for the overall management and efficiency of the company’s operations. They will develop and implement strategies to improve productivity, quality, and profitability. They will also be responsible for the management and development of the operations team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in operations management and be able to demonstrate their ability to improve efficiency and productivity. They will also have excellent people management skills and be able to create a positive and motivated team environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and other members of the executive team, providing operational expertise and thought leadership
• Develop and implement short- and long-term plans to improve efficiency and effectiveness across all departments and business functions
• Oversee daily operations of the company and ensure that all activities are carried out in compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Direct the development and implementation of policies and procedures to support the company’s business objectives
• Manage the development and execution of the annual operating budget, ensuring that all expenditures are within allocated limits
• Monitor financial performance indicators and take corrective action as necessary to maintain fiscal health
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and lead initiatives to streamline operations and reduce costs
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, government agencies, and community organizations
• Represent the company at industry events and conferences, and build partnerships with other businesses to create new opportunities for growth
• Serve as a liaison between the board of directors and management, providing updates on company performance and progress towards strategic goals
• Manage the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of new employees, and provide mentorship and guidance to promote professional development
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and tact

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations management, or related field
• 10+ years experience in an operations management role
• Proven track record of successful process improvement and change management initiatives
• Strong understanding of Six Sigma and Lean methodologies
• Excellent analytical skills and experience with data-driven decision making
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• MBA or other advanced degree
• Experience leading a team of operations managers
• Experience in a global organization
• Working knowledge of ERP systems
• Project management certification