What is the Role of an Operations Manager?

Operations managers play a crucial role within a manufacturing operation. Operations managers have a broad role, but include specific responsibilities that can vary among various companies, depending on the organization. Generally, the process includes monitoring and analyzing the current system of production and ensure that it is effective and utilizing a strategy that is optimizing overall production and day-to-day activities. Being an operations manager also includes collaborating with other team members, managers, overseeing new employees, tracking process, and measuring overall staff performance. Within operations management, there are key roles that the person must partake in. Therefore, here are the key roles of an operations manager within a production facility.

Key Roles of an Operations Manager 

The key roles of an operations manager includes the following:

• Resource Management - One of the main roles of operations managers includes managing raw materials and personnel. This role within the process is crucial, simply because of its oversight of inventory, purchasing, supplies, and more. Some of the human resource tasks include determination of needs, hiring potential employees, and overseeing assignment of staff.
• Financial Management - Operations management play a role in budgeting, controlling, and keeping the organization financially on track. With management of the supply chain, this will aid the production facility immensely through cost minimization. Operations managers study business forecast, sales reports, and various other financial statements to ensure for maximum results and cost reduction.
• Communication - Communication is key in order to aid various parts of the organization in collaborating. Creating a positive atmosphere where work can be completed is one of the roles of an operations manager that is underlooked. Ensuring for a workplace where you can effectively communicate among various departments will aid in resolving disputes or potential disagreements. Overall, communication is an essential role within an organization.

One of the main softwares that are becoming prevalent within manufacturing operations and can aid operations managers is advanced planning and scheduling software (APS). Operation managers can benefit greatly from utilization of advanced planning and scheduling software (APS).

Advanced Planning and Scheduling Software 

Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software has become a must for modern-day manufacturing operations due to customer demand for increased product mix and fast delivery combined with downward cost pressures. APS can be quickly integrated with a ERP/MRP software to fill gaps where these system lack planning and scheduling flexibility and accuracy. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) helps planners save time while providing greater agility in updating ever-changing priorities, production schedules, and inventory plans.

• Create optimized schedules balancing production efficiency and delivery performance
• Maximize output on bottleneck resources to increase revenue
• Synchronize supply with demand to reduce inventories
• Provide company-wide visibility to capacity
• Enable scenario data-driven decision making

Implementation of Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software will take your manufacturing operations to the next level of production efficiency, taking advantage of the operational data you already have in your ERP.