Operational manager (Operationeel manager)
Information on this skill...
An operational manager is the manager of a certain department within a company or organization. The term operational manager indicates that the manager himself also works in the department and therefore has an extra function. How exactly the position of operational manager is filled can differ per organization, because an operational manager can only work as an operational manager for two days a week. In addition, there may be multiple operational managers within a department. An operational manager therefore has a double function within the company or organization. In general, the position of operational manager belongs to the lowest management level, but this does not automatically mean that it is an easy position, because that can also depend entirely on the type of company or organization. The position of operational manager can therefore not be clearly defined, because it can occur in practice in different ways. In addition, the severity of the position can vary considerably per company or organization. In all cases, an operational manager does have an additional managerial position as a manager. In most cases, an operational manager will be responsible for implementing the operational policy devised by the management of the organization in question. It is not the case that all operational managers work full-time as an operational manager, because this can differ per operational manager. In short, operational managers are responsible for ensuring that operations within the organization run smoothly and efficiently. It is the operational managers who must ensure that the operations within the organization run as they should. As an operational manager, you are usually also responsible for dividing the division of tasks on the shop floor.
As an operational manager, you are therefore an important link between employees of a certain department and the middle management of a company or organization. The tasks that an operational manager has can differ, but in many cases have to do with personnel policy, planning, organization, management, budget management and monitoring progress. In short, we can describe the work of an operational manager as monitoring the operational results and everything that comes with it. The position of operational manager occurs within companies and organizations, so that people are sure that everything within the department runs as intended. It is therefore the operational manager, who directly supervises the department including the employees of the department. Whether an operational manager himself also works in the department can differ per company and usually depends on the severity of the position and the size of the department. As an operational manager, you are therefore responsible for various employees. Think, for example, of production employees, machine operators or logistics employees. It is also conceivable that the operational manager can be regarded as an inventory manager.
WORKING AS AN OPERATIONAL MANAGER
The position of operational manager can be distinguished between practical activities and managerial activities. It is not the case that all operational managers need to have managerial abilities. This is the case, because controlling processes does not have to have anything to do with management. In that case, the operational manager can also be regarded as a supervisor. It is the operational manager who will ensure that all processes run as they should. The mere supervision does not have much to do with management.
For example, if an operational manager is responsible for managerial work, the operational manager will be responsible for setting up work processes. Setting up work processes involves completely different activities. In that case, as an operational manager, you may also have to deal with different colleagues. Think, for example, of change managers, office managers and the chief executive officer. The profession of operational manager therefore occurs in practice in different ways. As an operational manager, you can therefore work at lower management level and middle management level.
VARIOUS TASKS OF AN OPERATIONAL MANAGER:
- Managing employees or a department;
- Making schedules;
- Setting concrete objectives;
- Preparing reports;
- Consulting with other managers including the board of directors;
- Stimulating and motivating employees;
- Supervising laws and regulations;
- Conducting personnel interviews;
- Monitoring progress and quality.
WHAT DOES AN OPERATIONS MANAGER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME AN OPERATIONAL MANAGER
There are no general training courses for the profession of operational manager. The position of operational manager is generally only accessible to persons who have a suitable hbo education or a university study. Which programme or study this is exactly can differ per company or organisation. A suitable programme can be, for example, the Hbo programme Business Management. Exactly what training an operational manager must have depends on the organization and type of work. It is perfectly conceivable that experienced craftsmen can also grow into the position of operational manager. As described earlier, there is an important difference between practical work and managerial work. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE AN OPERATIONAL MANAGER CAN BE EMPLOYED
As an operational manager, you can work for different companies and organizations at different levels. Think, for example, of factories, offices, industry, air traffic control and warehouses. Actually, the profession of operational manager occurs in many different ways. It is not the case that all operational managers work in the same way. The responsibilities of an operational manager can therefore differ substantially per company or organization.
COMPETENCIES OPERATIONAL MANAGER
The competencies of an operational manager can differ per operational manager, because operational managers can work in different ways. The mere management of workers who carry out certain production processes cannot simply be compared to the organization of work processes. In general, as an operational manager you must have good communication skills, because you are dealing with different colleagues. In addition, motivation can be regarded as an important competence. Being able to plan and organize are also important competencies. Generally important words are process monitoring, antennae, sense of responsibility, effectiveness, deadlines, flexibility, grip, control, guidance, stress resistance and monitoring. Further competencies cannot simply be indicated, because operational managers can work in different ways. An operational manager should also generally have managerial abilities.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS OPERATIONAL MANAGER
The job market perspective as an operational manager is generally fairly good if you have the right competencies and training. There are many companies that use operational managers. The gravity of this position may mean that working as an operations manager will not be suitable for everyone. The career opportunities as an operational manager should be seen in achieving a higher management position within the company or organization. Which management function this is exactly depends entirely on the type of employer and activities.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OPERATIONAL MANAGER
There are no examples of the employment conditions, because as an operational manager you can work in various types of sectors with different collective agreements. An operational manager will generally earn a salary between 3500 and 4500 euros gross per month depending on age, education and further responsibilities. If you carry large responsibilities as an operational manager, a higher salary is certainly conceivable.
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