Undergraduate Students

Exploring Careers

Career Paths for Operations Management Majors

Career Description

Operations Management involves the management of resources for the production of goods or services. This includes such functions as workforce planning, inventory management, logistics management, production planning and control, and resource allocation, with an emphasis on total quality management principles. Career opportunities exist in manufacturing, retail, service organizations, and government.

Sample Career Opportunities

Project Manager- Project Managers are most often found in consulting or other team-oriented environments. The role certainly requires expertise in the specific project area. It also requires the ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams in addition to serving as the interface between the team and client.

Operations Manager/Consultant- An Operations Manager will often report to a high-level store/company director. Their specific responsibilities often include but are not limited to training, monitoring many aspects of routine business activity, and finding ways to improve efficiency/effectiveness.

Applied Statistical Analyst- Either in a problem-solving or routine maintenance role, an Applied Statistical Analyst is charged with gathering quantifiable data about a process and translating that data into more accessible/applicable information, sometimes to the point of proposing solutions/improvement options.

General Manager- General Managers have a varying level of responsibility and job scope; however, all general managers will be responsible for supervising staff, observing performance and market trends, and making strategic decisions. They are accountable both to their company and to the staff they supervise.

Business Development Analyst/Consultant- Businesses may hire a Business Development Analyst with diverse quantitative and strategic skills to help build their business processes from the ground up. This role is found in corporate, non-profit, and small business settings at a company or department level.

Skills Needed

• Excellent understanding of math and statistics

• Proficiency with computer technology

• Ability to analyze and interpret data

• Excellent team spirit and leadership skills

• Broad understanding of general business

• Clear and effective communication skills, written and spoken

Resources for Further Research

Online Resources:

• Guide to Careers in Operations Management: compiled by Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University: http://mba.vanderbilt.edu/walker/resourceguides/ops.pdf

• Best Manufacturing Practices: http://www.bmpcoe.org/ 

• Decision Sciences Web: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/S03.cws_home/main

• Operations Management at Emory: http://knowledge.emory.edu/index.cfm

• Industry Week--Research & Benchmarking:
  http://www.industryweek.com/Research/default.asp 

• College Grad.com: description on the typical job of an Industrial Production Manager
  http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/manag19.shtml 

• Salary Expert- salary, bonus, cost-of-living, and benefits data for US, Canadian and international jobs: http://www.salaryexpert.com

Print Resources:

• Quality Is Free: The Art of Making Quality Certain: Philip Crosby

• Rath & Strong’s Six Sigma Team Pocket Guide: Rath & Strong

• What Is Six Sigma: Peter Pande

• Opportunities in Property Management Careers: Mariwyn Evan

• Hotel/Restaurant Management Career Starter: Lauren Starkey

• Securities Operations: A Guide to Trade and Position Management: Michael Simmons

Operations Management Employers at Smith

Following is a small sample of employers who recruit operations management majors at Maryland. The positions are just an example. Always be sure to read the actual job description thoroughly. Sometimes assumptions from the job title may be misleading. You can find out more through TERP Online or the OCM.