We surveyed 16,200 operations managers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical operations manager. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as an operations manager?
Low
High
Working as an operations manager typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.
Can I learn to become an operations manager?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as an operations manager typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as an operations manager?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as an operations manager. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for operations managers.
Do operations managers work full-time or part-time?
94% of operations managers work in full-time roles while 6% work part-time.
Is being an operations manager stressful?
Low
High
Stress is very commonplace for operations managers, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as an operations manager?
Low
High
Organization is considered a very important trait for operations managers, and is critical to success in the field.
How competitive is the workplace for operations managers?
Low
High
Operations managers see mild competition in their workplace.
Does being an operations manager require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Operations managers will see frequent time pressure on the job, likely contributing to an occasionally stressful work environment.
Are operations managers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Operations managers rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.
Do operations managers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
Operations managers have high flexibility in the direction of their work, allowing them a lot of freedom in how they accomplish their goals.
Is being an operations manager physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as an operations managers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are operations managers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
The workload of an operations manager changes frequently, with their day-to-day rarely being the same.
Does being an operations manager require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail is a vital skill for operations managers, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.
Does being a good operations manager require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as operations managers.