What Does a Product Operations Specialist Do?
Find out what a product operations specialist does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as a product operations specialist.
Product operations specialists are responsible for ensuring that the products their company sells are of the highest quality. They work closely with suppliers, vendors, and other outside parties to ensure that all products meet specific standards before they’re allowed to be sold to consumers.
Product operations specialists may also be tasked with managing inventory or overseeing the shipping process once a product has been purchased by a customer. Their goal is to make sure that everything flows smoothly from supplier to consumer—they’re the people who keep your favorite brand’s clothes, shoes, electronics, etc., in stock and on shelves.
Product Operations Specialist Job Duties
A product operations specialist typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Monitoring product pricing and availability to ensure that inventory is sold at appropriate prices
- Receiving, unpacking, storing, and shelving incoming products
- Communicating with suppliers about product specifications, delivery schedules, and shipping details
- Maintaining inventory levels by ordering new stock as needed
- Processing orders and shipments of products
- Coordinating with marketing teams to design packaging for new products
- Maintaining records of inventory levels and costs, and preparing reports on these figures for management review
- Scheduling deliveries of products to retail outlets or directly to customers
- Providing support to other departments within the organization such as shipping and receiving or accounting
Product Operations Specialist Salary & Outlook
Product operations specialists’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the company size and location. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.
- Median Annual Salary: $59,648 ($28.68/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $108,000 ($51.92/hour)
The employment of product operations specialists is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.
Demand for product operations specialists will increase as companies continue to automate processes and improve efficiency. Product operations specialists will be needed to monitor and maintain automated equipment, such as computerized machinery and robotics, to ensure that it operates properly and produces high-quality products.
Related: Product Operations Specialist Interview Questions and Answers
Product Operations Specialist Job Requirements
A product operations specialist typically needs to have the following qualifications:
Education: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is often a requirement to become a product operations specialist. Some of the most common majors for this role are business, marketing and computer science.
Training & Experience: Most product operations specialists receive on-the-job training when they start with a company. This training helps them learn the specific processes and procedures of the organization. It also helps them learn the software and computer systems they will use on a daily basis.
Product operations specialists can also receive training through internships. During an internship, students learn the basics of the product operations industry. They also gain practical experience in a professional setting. Students can complete internships during their undergraduate or graduate studies or during the summer months.
Certifications & Licenses: Certifications are not usually a requirement as a product operations specialist, but they can help you stand out from other candidates and qualify you for higher-paying jobs.
Product Operations Specialist Skills
Product operations specialists need the following skills in order to be successful:
Inventory management: Inventory management is the process of tracking and monitoring the supply of products. Operations specialists may be responsible for managing inventory for a specific department or company. This involves tracking the supply of products, monitoring inventory levels and ordering new products when necessary.
Data entry: Data entry is the process of entering information into a computer system. Operations specialists may be required to enter data into a company’s computer system, so it’s important to be comfortable with using a keyboard and mouse. Data entry is also a common task in most office environments, so this skill can be useful in many different careers.
Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through speech, writing or other methods. As a product operations specialist, you may be required to communicate with other departments, suppliers and customers. Effective communication can help you to convey your ideas and requests clearly and to understand the needs of others.
Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills allow you to identify and resolve issues. As a product operations specialist, you may be responsible for identifying and resolving production issues, quality issues or other issues that arise during the production of a product. Your ability to identify the issue and find a solution can help you improve processes and increase efficiency.
Attention to detail: Attention to detail is the ability to notice small changes in a process or product. This skill is important for product operations specialists because it ensures the quality of the products they oversee. For example, if a product’s design changes slightly, product operations specialists need to notice the change and make the necessary adjustments to ensure the product continues to function properly.
Product Operations Specialist Work Environment
Product operations specialists work in a variety of settings, including manufacturing plants, warehouses, and office buildings. They may be exposed to noise, dust, and fumes from the manufacturing process, and they may work in hot or cold environments. They typically work a regular 40-hour week, but they may work overtime to meet production deadlines. Some product operations specialists travel to other plants or warehouses to oversee the production or distribution of products.
Product Operations Specialist Trends
Here are three trends influencing how product operations specialists work. Product operations specialists 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 a More Agile Supply Chain
The need for a more agile supply chain is becoming increasingly important as businesses strive to be more nimble and responsive to changes in the market. This trend is having a major impact on the role of the product operations specialist, who is now responsible for ensuring that the company’s supply chain can adapt quickly to new demands.
To be successful in this role, product operations specialists will need to be able to work quickly and efficiently, while also maintaining high levels of accuracy and attention to detail. They will also need to be familiar with a variety of software tools that can help them manage the company’s inventory more effectively.
More Collaboration Between Product Managers and Operations
As businesses become more complex, there is an increasing need for collaboration between product managers and operations teams. This is because both teams are responsible for different but equally important parts of the product development process.
Product operations specialists can take advantage of this trend by developing strong relationships with members of other departments. This will allow them to better understand the needs of their customers and create products that meet those needs. In addition, they can also learn how to streamline the production process and ensure that products are delivered on time.
Greater Focus on Quality Control
As businesses become more competitive, quality control has become a top priority. This means that product operations specialists need to be well-versed in quality control procedures in order to ensure that products are meeting the standards set by the company.
In order to be successful in this field, product operations specialists need to be able to identify potential problems early on and come up with solutions to fix them. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with other members of the team in order to get feedback and make sure that everyone is on the same page.
How to Become a Product Operations Specialist
A career in product operations can be a great way to get your foot in the door of the tech industry. As a product operations specialist, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a variety of products and technologies, which will give you a well-rounded experience in the field.
To become a product operations specialist, it’s important to have a strong understanding of both the business and technical sides of product development. You should also be able to effectively communicate with both developers and users.
Advancement Prospects
Product Operations Specialists can advance their career by taking on additional responsibilities within their organization. They may also move into management roles, overseeing a team of product operations specialists. With experience, product operations specialists may also move into other roles within their organization, such as product development or marketing.
Product Operations Specialist Job Description Example
At [CompanyX], we are looking for a Product Operations Specialist to join our team. The Product Operations Specialist will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of our products, including but not limited to: developing and maintaining product documentation, managing product inventory, coordinating product repairs and replacements, and providing customer support. The ideal candidate will have experience in product operations and/or customer service, and will be able to work independently with little supervision. He or she will also be detail-oriented and able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all product-related questions and issues
- Work with internal teams to ensure that products are designed and built according to specifications
- Manage the product development process from start to finish, including creating project timelines, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring that products are delivered on time and within budget
- Conduct user research and testing to inform product decisions
- Analyze data to identify trends and areas for improvement
- Create and maintain documentation for all products
- Train new team members on how to use products
- Stay up to date on industry trends and best practices
- Proactively identify ways to improve product operations
- Assist with troubleshooting product issues
- Provide feedback to improve the product development process
- Help develop and implement product strategy
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field
- 3-5 years experience in product operations or similar role
- Experience with product development process from ideation to launch
- Excellent project management skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
- MBA or other advanced degree
- Experience with agile methodology
- Experience working in a startup environment
- Technical background or experience with coding