9/4/2015

ALIS OCCinfo: Occupations and Educational Programs

Occupational Profile

Operations Manager
NOC code(s): 0911

Interest code(s): D I M

Operations managers direct and co-ordinate the operation of manufacturing, service

delivery and production departments in industrial, commercial and government
organizations.
Also Known As
Logistics Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Production Supervisor

Full Profile
Duties
Operations managers oversee the activities in an organization that are directly related to making a product or
providing a service. In other words, they oversee how people, materials, equipment, energy, money and
information inputs are converted into useful goods and services.
In general, operations managers:
analyze, design and improve the processes by which goods and services are produced
implement and manage quality assurance and safety programs
forecast future demand for goods and services
develop short, intermediate and long production and service plans based on demand forecasts for good
and services
recommend locations for facilities such as plants, warehouses and service units
plan the layout of facilities
measure and improve productivity
manage materials including purchasing, inventory control and distribution
manage logistics and supply chains (the movement of goods into and out of production, distribution and
retail facilities)
develop contingency plans for unexpected changes in supply chains
manage the work force (for example, plan work schedules to meet projected demands for goods and
services)
manage supplier and customer relationship.
Operation managers may have to facilitate the flow of information between all business functions inside the
organization using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and systems. They should also have a good
http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile/view-full-profile.html?id=71002670&pdf=1

1/7

9/4/2015

ALIS OCCinfo: Occupations and Educational Programs

understanding of the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process to effectively carry out many of their duties.

Working Conditions
Operations managers usually work standard office hours but overtime may be required when an
organization makes significant changes to its operations. Some travel may be required, particularly in
organizations with many facilities.

Personal Characteristics
Operations managers need the following characteristics:
good oral and written communication skills
good analytical skills
the ability to motivate, lead and manage employees
a commitment to customer satisfaction.
They should enjoy:
directing the work of others
negotiating with other managers to find innovative solutions to problems
taking a methodical approach to their work
working in a team environment.

Educational Requirements
There is no standard educational requirement to become an operations manager but a related degree or postsecondary diploma in business or engineering is recommended. Employers in particular industries may require
specialized courses or related experience.
APICS - The Association for Operations Management awards the designation CSCP (Certified Supply Chain
Professional) to members who have successfully completed the CSCP exam. APICS awards the designation
CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) to those who have successfully completed five
exams. Preparatory courses are offered through post-secondary institutions and exam modules are available on
the APICS website.
Alberta Institute Purchasing Management Association of Canada (AIPMAC) awards a designation for SCMP
(Supply Chain Management Professional) to those who have completed the SCMP designation program. For
more information visit the AIPMAC website.

Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter
the field.
Click on the banner below to see the list of schools.

Bow Valley College

Customs and Logistics Certificate
http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile/view-full-profile.html?id=71002670&pdf=1

2/7

9/4/2015

ALIS OCCinfo: Occupations and Educational Programs

Petroleum Industry Management Certificate

Lakeland College
Petroleum Management

MacEwan University
Bachelor of Commerce - Supply Chain Management Co-op

NAIT
Operations Management

Olds College
Agricultural Management - Production
Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management

Robertson College - Calgary NW

Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Robertson College - Edmonton

Logistics and Supply Chain Management

University of Alberta
Bachelor of Commerce - Distribution Management
Bachelor of Commerce - Operations Management
Supply Chain Management

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

Certification Requirements
Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.

Employment and Advancement

Occupational outlook is currently unavailable. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly
http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile/view-full-profile.html?id=71002670&pdf=1

3/7

9/4/2015

ALIS OCCinfo: Occupations and Educational Programs

created positions.
Operations managers work in advisory and management positions with:
consulting firms
manufacturers
transportation companies
distribution organizations
logistic service providers
service institutions.
Experienced operations managers may advance to senior management positions.
Operations managers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0911: Manufacturing
Managers. In Alberta, 75% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed
before)
size of the occupation.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few
years.

Wage and Salary

Salaries for operations managers depend on the size and nature of the organization, the responsibilities of the
position and the qualifications of the operations manager.

Manufacturing Managers (NOC 0911)

According to the 2013 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in this occupational group earned on average
from $36.68 to $55.87 an hour. The overall average wage for this group was $46.61 an hour.
Average Hours Worked (per week)

41.6

Overall Average Wage (per hour)

$46.61

Overall Average Salary (annual)*, Alberta

$99,671.00

* Rounded to the nearest dollar

Hourly Wage
(For full-time and part-time employees)
Low (5th

High (95th

Average

Median

Data

http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile/view-full-profile.html?id=71002670&pdf=1

4/7

9/4/2015

ALIS OCCinfo: Occupations and Educational Programs

Wages*

percentile)

percentile)

Starting

$15.73

$65.01

$36.68

$33.65

Overall

$23.06

$83.07

$46.61

$40.87

Top

$27.50

$91.73

$55.87

$50.48

Reliability

* All w age estimates are hourly except w here otherw ise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips,
benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Skills Shortage
% of Employers that Recruited in the Last Two Years

23%

% of Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

32%

% of Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over Four Months

3%

2013 Vacancy Rate

1%

Industry Information
The following is a list of industries within the specific occupation.
Industry

Average Salary

Oil & Gas Extraction

$139,085.00

Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)

$138,291.00

Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

$109,910.00

Construction

$105,382.00

Manufacturing

$100,841.00

ALBERTA, ALL INDUSTRIES

$99,671.00

Wholesale Trade

$85,180.00

Transportation and Warehousing

$84,579.00

Public Administration

$80,250.00

Agriculture

$69,811.00

Retail Trade

$69,725.00

Notes
In some instances, anomalies have occurred as a result of the occurrence of outliers or employers not
responding to all the survey questions. In most cases, the inconsistency is fairly small and within the margin of
error for the survey. For some occupations, outliers have been suppressed and the averages have been
recalculated. For some wage levels for other occupations the information has been entirely suppressed. N/A is
listed in instances where no information is available.
These wage estimates include employees in companies which were believed to have 8 or more employees,
from the public and private sector and include full and part-time employees. Average wages were weighted by the
number of employees and post-stratification employer weighting.

Survey Methodology

Survey Analysis

http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile/view-full-profile.html?id=71002670&pdf=1

5/7

9/4/2015

ALIS OCCinfo: Occupations and Educational Programs

Related High School Subjects

Business, Administration, Finance and IT
Financial Management
Management and Marketing
English Language Arts
Health, Recreation and Human Services
Human and Social Services
Legal Studies
Mathematics
Science
Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
Logistics

Related Post-Secondary Fields of Study

Business, Management and Administrative Studies
Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies

Other Sources of Information

AIPMAC - Alberta Institute Purchasing Management Association of Canada: www.aipmac.ab.ca
APICS - The Association for Operations Management website: www.apics.org
APICS Region VIII, Calgary Chapter website: www.apics-calgary.org
APICS Region VIII, Edmonton Chapter website: www.apicsedmonton.com
Careers in Transportation website: www.transpocity.ca
Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council (CSCSC) website: www.supplychaincanada.org
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS)
website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or
visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.

Related Occupations:
Business Continuity Planner
Industrial Engineer
Management Consultant
Manufacturing Engineer
Operations Research Analyst
Retail and Wholesale Buyer
Traffic Manager

The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates show n. Salary, em ploym ent outlook and educational program
information may change w ithout notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile/view-full-profile.html?id=71002670&pdf=1

6/7

9/4/2015

ALIS OCCinfo: Occupations and Educational Programs

The Government of Alberta is w orking in partnership w ith the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and
services.

http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile/view-full-profile.html?id=71002670&pdf=1

7/7