Career Path: Operations Management

CAREER PATH: Operations Management

Operations Management (OM) focuses on the effective management of the resources and activities that produce or deliver the goods and services of any business. OM professionals manage the people, materials, equipment and information resources that a business needs to produce and deliver its goods and services. OM professionals hold a wide range of different job titles, such as materials manager, production planner, scheduler, inventory manager, transportation/logistics manager, purchasing/procurement manager, supply chain manager, and quality manager. However, they all employ OM techniques and concepts to effectively manage the resources and processes of their business operations. Because OM professionals are familiar with the resources and operations that are critical to success, they are often well-positioned for promotion to upper levels of business management.

Operations management offers excellent career potential in the short and long term. It is unlikely, however, that I will be able to come into a position of significant authority immediately out of school. Companies must trust the judgment of their high-level line managers, positions gained after several years of experience. Movement in an operations function can be very rapid, however, if my performance is strong. That is why I need to focus all my resources on obtaining such opportunities right out of the business school. The number of companies hiring for operations management jobs is increasing as companies recognize the need for MBA skills within their organizations. Companies in a wide range of industries are recruiting for operations positions. That is why after getting my Bachelor’s Degree I most likely to continue my education in order to obtain Master’s Degree.

There is no standard career path in OM. You are in control of your own destiny and have the opportunity to pursue hundreds of potential career paths. My career path will be largely influenced by my...