Business operations managers are the go-to people in a business. They help various departments within a company coordinate to meet the end goal. Every business needs them, large or small, regardless of industry. Their job includes hiring people, negotiating contracts, addressing budget matters, understanding general business operations and guiding work teams for projects. They also make strategic decisions about what customers are likely to buy and create company policies that help the staff operate efficiently.

Duties vary widely and depend on the company’s needs. "Operations really is the heart of most companies, because the operations department actually gets the job that the company needs to get done, done," says Eric Schaudt, manager of operations programs, material planning and analysis at Northrop Grumman, a global security company.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.2% employment growth for business operations managers between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 147,300 jobs should open up.

Many operations managers have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, but the specific degree required depends on the organization hiring. Significant experience within an organization can sometimes lead to a promotion to this position.

The ability to make decisions quickly and communicate effectively within a large and diverse organization is essential.

The Association for Supply Chain Management offers APICS certification in planning and inventory management, and certifies employees as supply chain professionals. "A lot of companies use these certifications as search criteria and filter their candidates as whether they are certified or not certified," Schaudt says.