Developing operations strategies.
Running the day-to-day operations such as the production or distribution of products.
Planning and overseeing organisational change, such as the implementation of a new computer system.
Managing quality assurance programmes.
Setting and reviewing budgets and managing costs.
Managing the recruitment and training of staff.
Analysing and improving processes.
Enforcing health and safety procedures.

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Operations Managers are an important part of almost every industry, including retail, insurance, finance, healthcare, education, government institutions and manufacturing organisations.

Whilst your role may vary according to the industry and organisation you work in, you will typically be tasked with financial, staff, and resource management, as well as communications, safety measures, risk management and quality control.

What can I earn as an Operations Manager?

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NSW

VIC

QLD

TAS

ACT

The most common annual salary in AUS for an Operations Manager is between $100k and $120k

Compare salaries by similar roles

Branch Manager

Most common salaryAUS

$30k$90k$180k

See skills overlap

68%

Production Manager

Most common salaryAUS

$30k$110k$180k

See skills overlap

65%

Project Manager

Most common salaryAUS

$30k$130k$230k

See skills overlap

63%

Account Manager

Most common salaryAUS

$20k$70k$170k

See skills overlap

60%

General Manager

Most common salaryAUS

$30k$205k

See skills overlap

53%

Close salary comparison

Source: SEEK job ads

How to become an Operations Manager

Pathways to becoming an Operations Manager typically involve a combination of education and on-the-job experience. Most Operations Managers have completed an undergraduate degree and have at least 3-5 years of experience.

Complete an undergraduate degree in business administration or a related field.
Consider completing a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) focusing on supply chain management or a similar field.
Gain as much experience in business as you can. First-hand knowledge of how different parts of businesses work will help you oversee them later as an Operations Manager.
Gain experience in managing people and processes.

Explore related qualifications

SEEK users who have worked as an Operations Manager have studied these qualifications.

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NSW

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QLD

TAS

ACT

Master of Business Administration

This master degree will give you the crucial skills and knowledge needed to be a business leader.

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See 5 institutions that offer this course in Australia and Online.

Bachelor of Business Administration

This degree will develop your knowledge of how organisations work and will prepare you for management positions.

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See 9 institutions that offer this course in Australia and Online.

Skills and experience employers are looking for

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Operations Management

People Management

Commercial Acumen

Workplace Health and Safety

Negotiation

Continuous Improvement

Problem Solving

Relationship Management

Computer Literacy

Resilience

Skills listed in your SEEK Profile

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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data

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How do Operations Managers rate their role?

Latest reviews from 44 Operations Managers surveyed on SEEK

Work-life balance

3.6

Job satisfaction

4.1

Career progression opportunities

3.8

Job security

3.9

Pay / Salary

3.7

Variety of work

4.3

Latest reviews

All

Positive

Negative

Oct 2018

An operations management role is extremely challenging in the private sector, with no true support from executive management

Reviewer's Qualification

Diploma of Child Care and Education

Experience

Less than a year

Organisation size

Large (200+ employees)

Specialisation

Children’s services

The good things

The centre Coordinators and Educators are all wonderful individuals who crave knowledge and self improvement. They are eager to learn new skills and understand their roles

The challenges

As a for profit organisation, Executive management have no underpinning knowledge of childcare or it’s challenges. They all have financial backgrounds and have no operational experience in the sector....

Oct 2018

Operations Manager controls the engine of any business

Reviewer's Qualification

Master of Business Administration

Experience

5 – 9 years

Organisation size

Large (200+ employees)

Specialisation

Banking

The good things

Managing Operations is a tough job and you need to be passionate about it The good things If you are passionate about running an Operations you need to always challenge yourself to continuously impr...

The challenges

1. Influence people to change the way they do things 2. Always work within the framework of regulations 3. Motivating staff

Source: SEEK Role Reviews