Roles of an operations manager - Essay Example

Functions of an operations manager According to Stevenson (2005), the core aim of the operations management is quite diverse. It is a tool whose function is to oversee, control, and design the production process. Additionally, it may also be termed as the process that covers up the redesigning aspects of business operations. The branch does ensure that all the operations of a business are up to date, efficient and running on smoothly. In operations management, the focus of the management team is to utilize the few resources available to achieve the organizational goals, hence bringing up immense satisfaction from the target customers. Essentially, there is an aspect of conversion of inputs to outputs, in all the resources that are critical in a firm such as energy, labor and raw materials. Primarily, the term organizational outputs may refer to the products or services that the firm does target to distribute to their target clients. Stevenson (2005) in his research found out that operations management is a field in which the managerial team does focus on ensuring smooth flow and success of technical and physical functions of a firm. Additionally, the functions of manufacturing development and production also fall under the same department. Therefore, the core function of this paper is to analyze in details the essential functions and responsibilities of an operation manager. First, it is necessary to have a picture of the functions of an operations manager, which are classified under four categories. These categories include development of operational strategies, business operations improvement, management of the daily operations of the business, and personal knowledge development. In addition to that, the operation manager does cut the control costs in any business organization as Stevenson and Sum (2014) expounds. Most significantly, a well-managed organization can have a clear reflection of the effect of its good management through an upsurge and consistency of profitability. To ensure that the profit is maximum, an operations manager wills hence, makes a clear evaluation of the costs involved in the production process, and critically reduces the increase or eliminates any unnecessary costs. Through such, an operations manager becomes the heartbeat of an organization. He will aid the organization to serve its client better. The manager will oversee the daily delivery of the products and services of the firm. Achievement and success of the function is facilitated through liaising with other department’s multi-sectorial approach. For example, he collaborates with the transport department in ensuring that the basic products reach the target destination. The delivery system is the epitome to the success of the firm, as its target client will not experience any missed opportunity (Stevenson and Sum, 2014). Therefore, it remains the role of an operation manager to oversee the delivery of the products. The products should also be delivered on time to ensure that not all the operations come to a standstill secondary to the unavailability of the products. The manager will also seek to ensure that all the employees are performing in their work, and the quality of the services being delivered is of a quality standard. Withy reference to performance management, the operations manager will supervise all the employees and another support staff. All depends on the size of the organization (Stevenson and Sum, 2014). Different organizations will have different operations and staff members. The aspect of understanding the role of the operating manager in the diverse business environments is of utmost importance. Ideally, despite any organizational setting, the operation manager’s role remains comprehensive provision of the proper direction to the start to achieve the objectives of the firm. All along as the manager supervises the members of the staff, he needs to ensure that there is ideal interaction. Interaction with the clients will also ensure that he learns more of the problems they may be facing, which is essential to improving service delivery process. Through the interacting process, the operational manager will also receive indirectly the feedback, which is a critical factor in monitoring and evaluation process (Stevenson and Sum, 2014). Moreover, the operation manager acts a critical tool in conflict management in an organization. He does solve any issues that may be interpersonal or intrapersonal within his areas of jurisdiction. He ensures that there is unity of direction, and every staff member is working towards the achievement of strategic goals. He holds a key role in decision making, products pricing determination, discounts aspects, and staffs hiring and placements. Numerous factors do influence the conduct an operations manager should possess. All these factors do aid the operations manager to remain effective in his or her functions. Such factors range from organizational, state or social factors. The labor law the organization ought to follow forms a key determinant of the operational manager’s behavior. Such laws may be in the form of discrimination prohibition, staffing process regulations and disciplinary issues. Operational managers are at the verge of facing challenges in the process of implementing their duties. The relationship between the society and the organization is a close determinant of the progress and success of the organization. When a society readily accepts the organization, there is an expected success as their products and services are readily purchased. Managers may lack the ideal personality to interact with the society (Wilson, 2014). In another instance, competition may be in existence in an organization. Different preferences may exist within various departments in terms of communication models and regularity of holding meetings, and this is likely to have detrimental effects to the progress of the organization (Wilson, 2014). Such difference is likely to impair the strategic plan of the organization, as there is no union in achievement of objectives. Ultimately, the issue does affect the delivery of goods and services. On this basis, an operations manager might be accused of failing to carry effectively out his or her activities. In summation, it is very clear that the operations department is the cornerstone to the success of any organization. It is the department having the direct link with the society, ensuring that the society reports satisfaction of the products and services on offer. Bibliography: Stevenson, W. J. (2005). Operations management (8th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. Stevenson, W. J., & Sum, C. C. (2014). Operations management (2nd ed., Asia global ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Wilson, R. P. (2014). The operations management complete toolbok collection. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: FTPress Delivers. Read More