Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010

Components buyer
Education and training. Educational requirements tend to vary with the size of the organization. Large stores and distributors prefer applicants who have completed a bachelor's degree program with a business emphasis. Many manufacturing firms put an even greater emphasis on formal training, preferring applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering, business, economics, or one of the applied sciences. A master's degree is essential for advancement to many top-level purchasing manager jobs. Regardless of academic preparation, new employees must learn the specifics of their employer's business. Training periods vary in length, with most lasting 1 to 5 years. In manufacturing, new employees work with experienced purchasers to learn about commodities, prices, suppliers, and markets. In addition, they may be assigned to the production planning department to learn about the material requirements system and the inventory system the company uses to keep production and replenishment functions working smoothly. In wholesale and retail establishments, most trainees begin by selling merchandise, checking invoices on material received, and keeping track of stock. As they progress, trainees are given increased buying-related responsibilities. Employment Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents held about 527,400 jobs in 2008. About 42 percent worked in the wholesale trade and manufacturing industries and another 10 percent worked in retail trade. The remainder worked mostly in service establishments, such as management of companies and enterprises or professional, scientific, and technical services. A small number were self-employed. The following tabulation shows the distribution of employment by occupational specialty: Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm 295,200

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 products Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products Purchasing managers Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products Earnings Median annual wages of purchasing managers were $89,160 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $67,370 and $115,830. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $142,550. Median annual wages of purchasing agents and buyers of farm products were $49,670 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $37,930 and $67,440. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,220. Median annual wages of wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, were $48,710 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,460 and $66,090. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,710, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $90,100. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, were: Management of companies and enterprises $56,400 Wholesale electronic markets and agents and brokers 53,650 Grocery and related product merchant wholesalers 49,770 Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers 46,250 Grocery stores 35,700 Median annual wages of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, were $53,940 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,670 and $70,910. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,650, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $88,790. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, were:

147,700 70,300 14,100

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 Federal Executive Branch $73,520 Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 64,220 Navigational, measuring, electro medical, and control 59,040 instruments manufacturing Management of companies and enterprises 58,420 Local government 51,870 Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents receive the same benefits package as other workers, including vacations, sick leave, life and health insurance, and pension plans. In addition to receiving standard benefits, retail buyers often earn cash bonuses based on their performance and may receive discounts on merchandise bought from their employer. Source, http:/www.bls.gov

Designers
Designers must have an eye for color and detail. Being creative is also important. Designers also need problem-

solving skills, communication skills, and must be good with computers. Most designers need formal training after high school. Some attend a professional design school or may get an associate degree, but in general most need a bachelor's degree. It is typical for fashion and graphic designers to get a degree in the fine arts. Industrial and commercial designers usually get a degree in architecture or engineering. A few designers, like floral designers, learn their skills on the job. New interior, graphic, and industrial and commercial designers get on-the-job training for 1 to 3 years. Fashion designers usually get their training through summer internships or by working in retail. Some designers may decide to become teachers in design schools. Some open their own design businesses. JOB PAY In 2008, earnings of designers varied widely. For example, the average yearly wages of floral designers were $24,510 in May 2008. The average yearly wages of interior designers were more than double that amount, $51,020. Graphic designers, the largest design occupation, earned $46,750 per year on average as of May 2008. HOW MANY JOBS ARE THERE

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 Designers held about 612,100 jobs in 2008. About 1 out of 4 was self-employed. Many selfemployed designers also had another job in design or in some other occupation. ABOUT THE FUTURE Employment of most types of designers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2018. The need for better and safer products will mean more jobs for industrial and commercial designers. As homeowners and businesses have more money to spend on design, more interior designer jobs will be created. As Internet business grows and more companies advertise their products, there will be a need for more graphic designers. However, employment of floral designers will decline slowly as sales are expected to decrease. Also, fashion designers will have little or no change in the number of jobs because very few people leave the occupation and there are a small number of job openings. Most designers are expected to face tough competition for jobs because many talented people are attracted to a career in design. However, job opportunities should be good for floral designers as many people leave the occupation due to low pay. Source, http:/www.bls.gov

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers, often called quality-control inspectors or another, similar name, ensure that your food will not make you sick, that your car will run properly, and that your pants will not split the first time you wear them. These workers monitor or audit quality standards for virtually all manufactured products, including foods, textiles, clothing, glassware, motor vehicles, electronic components, computers, and structural steel. As product quality becomes increasingly important to the success of many manufacturing firms, daily duties of inspectors place more focus on this aspect of their jobs. Working conditions vary by industry and establishment size. As a result, some inspectors examine similar products for an entire shift, whereas others examine a variety of items. In manufacturing, it is common for most inspectors to remain at one workstation. Inspectors in some industries may be on their feet all day and may have to lift heavy objects, whereas in other industries they sit during most of their shift and read electronic printouts of data. Workers in heavy manufacturing plants may be exposed to the noise and grime of machinery; in other plants,

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 inspectors work in clean, air-conditioned environments suitable for carrying out controlled tests. As a result of these varied working conditions, injuries are not uncommon for this occupation, and workers must follow proper procedures to minimize risks. Some inspectors work evenings, nights, or weekends. Shift assignments generally are made on the basis of seniority. Overtime may be required to meet production goals.

Although a high school diploma is sufficient for the basic testing of products, complex precisioninspecting positions are filled by experienced workers. Education and training Training requirements vary with the responsibilities of the qualitycontrol worker. For workers who perform simple pass/fail tests of products, a high school diploma generally is sufficient, together with limited in-house training. Training for new inspectors may cover the use of special meters, gauges, computers, and other instruments; quality-control techniques; blueprint reading; safety; and reporting requirements. There are some postsecondary training programs, but many employers prefer to train inspectors on the job. The chances of finding work in this occupation can be improved by studying industrial trades, including computer-aided design, in high school or in a postsecondary vocational program. Laboratory work in the natural or biological sciences also may improve one's analytical skills and increase ones chances of finding work in medical or pharmaceutical labs, where many of these workers are employed. As companies implement more automated inspection techniques that require less manual inspection, workers in this occupation will have to learn to operate and program more sophisticated equipment and learn software applications. Because these operations require additional skills, the need for higher education may be necessary. To address this need, some colleges are offering associates degrees in fields such as quality control management. Other

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 qualifications. In general, inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers need mechanical aptitude, math and communication skills, and good hand-eye coordination and vision. Another important skill is the ability to analyze and interpret blueprints, data, manuals, and other material to determine specifications, inspection procedures, formulas, and methods for making adjustments. Median hourly wages of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers were $15.02 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $11.58 and $19.52 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.28 an hour, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.47 an hour. Median hourly wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers in May 2008 were as follows: Aerospace product and parts manufacturing Motor vehicle parts manufacturing Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing Plastics product manufacturing Employment services Source, http:/www.bls.gov $22.10 16.39 14.22 13.87 11.64

Engineers
Most engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. Others may spend time outdoors at construction sites and oil and gas exploration and production sites, where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Some engineers travel extensively to plants or worksites here and abroad. Many engineers work a standard 40-hour week. At times, deadlines or design standards may bring extra pressure to a job, requiring engineers to work longer hours. A bachelor's degree in engineering is required for almost all entry-level engineering jobs. College graduates with a degree in a natural science or mathematics occasionally may qualify for

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 some engineering jobs, especially in specialties that are in high demand. Most engineering degrees are granted in electrical and electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering. However, engineers trained in one branch may work in related branches. For example, many aerospace engineers have training in mechanical engineering. This flexibility allows employers to meet staffing needs in new technologies and specialties in which engineers may be in short supply. It also allows engineers to shift to fields with better employment prospects or to those which more closely match their interests. Most engineering programs involve a concentration of study in an engineering specialty, along with courses in both mathematics and the physical and life sciences. Many programs also include courses in general engineering. A design course, sometimes accompanied by a computer or laboratory class or both, is part of the curriculum of most programs. Often, general courses not directly related to engineering, such as those in the social sciences or humanities, also are required. In addition to the standard engineering degree, many colleges offer 2-year or 4-year degree programs in engineering technology. These programs, which usually include various hands-on laboratory classes that focus on current issues in the application of engineering principles, prepare students for practical design and production work, rather than for jobs that require more theoretical and scientific knowledge. Graduates of 4-year technology programs may get jobs similar to those obtained by graduates with a bachelor's degree in engineering. Engineering technology graduates, however, are not qualified to register as professional engineers under the same terms as graduates with degrees in engineering. Some employers regard technology program graduates as having skills between those of a technician and an engineer. Graduate training is essential for engineering faculty positions and some research and development programs, but is not required for the majority of entry-level engineering jobs. Many experienced engineers obtain graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology and broaden their education. Numerous high-level executives in government and industry began their careers as engineers.

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 Other qualifications Engineers should be creative, inquisitive, analytical, and detail oriented. They should be able to work as part of a team and to communicate well, both orally and in writing. Communication abilities are becoming increasingly important as engineers interact more frequently with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering. Engineers who work for the Federal Government usually must be U.S. citizens. Some engineers, particularly nuclear engineers and aerospace and other engineers working for defense contractors may need to hold a security clearance. Earnings In the Federal Government, mean annual salaries for engineers ranged from $81,085 in agricultural engineering to $126,788 in ceramic engineering in March 2009.As a group, engineers earn some of the highest average starting salaries among those holding bachelor's degrees. Average starting salary offers for graduates of bachelors degree programs in engineering, according to a July 2009 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers were as follows: Petroleum Chemical Mining and Mineral Computer Nuclear Electrical/electronics and communications Mechanical Industrial/manufacturing Materials Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical Agricultural Bioengineering and biomedical Civil $83,121 64,902 64,404 61,738 61,610 60,125 58,766 58,358 57,349 56,311 54,352 54,158 52,048

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 Source, http:/www.bls.gov

Production Planners
THE JOB Production Planners plan and prepare production schedules for manufacturing industrial and commercial products. Planners ensure that products are made efficiently and timely. They must plan monthly production commitments including work-in-process to meet shipment dates. In many firms, the Planner must provide instructions and authorization before production can begin. Other job titles commonly used are: Production Coordinator, Process Planner, Production Scheduler, Production Control Scheduler, Tool Planner, and Assembly Planner. Planners check for planning errors during production and recommend corrective action. Planners may also prepare purchase orders. Some employers require Planners to maintain inventories of raw materials and finished products. Planners may reschedule operations to process rush orders or to meet customer needs. Production Planners often represent the company in negotiations with customers. Planners must account for any delays, difficulties, and changes in original cost estimates. Planners develop new programs to improve the production control systems. In some firms, Planners may train new or less experienced production control schedulers. WORKING CONDITIONS Production Planners spend most of their time in the office or on manufacturing sites. Most offices have adequate lighting and ventilation. Planners may work closely with sales executives, design engineers, and manufacturing, purchasing, and accounting department staffs. Production Planners work under the constant pressure of tight deadlines and must be able to reschedule production on short notice to meet deadlines. ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING Graduation from high school is the minimum requirement for employment as a Production Planner. Some employers require a four-year college degree in business with courses in business administration and data processing. Prospective Planners should take high school courses in machine shop, mathematics and science. Better opportunities exist for those who have good

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 computer and analytical skills. Extremely important is knowledge of fully integrated computer system software. Better hiring opportunities exist for individuals who have prior inventory and production control experience or training, particularly in a process controlled manufacturing operation. Many employers promote from within by selecting Planners from workers in their manufacturing department, production control department, assembly department, engineering, and machine shop departments. On-the-job training may be available. Source, http:/www.bls.gov

First Line Supervisors

First-line supervisors are employed in all industries to direct production workers in the making or assembling of manufactured goods. Their chief responsibility is to ensure that the production process is carried out according to the goals set by their company's managers and engineers. Because they are responsible to both management and workers, they provide an important link between the two. Specific duties of first-line supervisors vary according to the industry and the individual company. In the machinery manufacturing industry, for instance, the first-line supervisor not only oversees all workers on the production floor but also makes sure the equipment and supplies needed are available. In the printing industry, first-line supervisors of the bindery department may be called "chief bookbinders" or "bindery chiefs." They supervise all the workers on the production floor and oversee the assembly of books from large printed sheets of paper. Education and Training Requirements The main requirements needed to be a first-line supervisor are a good work record, experience, and leadership ability. First-line supervisors must be able to get along with people and motivate workers. Many employers prefer people who are high school graduates, however, a few years of college or technical school training can be very helpful. Most first-line supervisors work up to their positions after several years of experience as production workers. Their work experience teaches them the processes needed to manufacture a product. It also familiarizes them with the concerns of production workers. Some supervisors get useful experience as union representatives. Many companies also provide training programs or training manuals that teach management skills to new supervisors. Some manufacturing companies prefer to hire people who have some college or technical school training as supervisor trainees. This practice is most common in industries that have complex production processes such as the electronics or chemical industries. A background in business administration, industrial relations, engineering, science, or mathematics is valuable for

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 supervisor trainees. The time taken before a trainee is a fully qualified production supervisor varies from company to company and from industry to industry. Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook First-line supervisors can advance to a position as shop superintendent or general supervisor in which they coordinate the work of a number of other supervisors. In some cases, supervisors move into higher-level management jobs such as production manager. Some first-line supervisors advance by moving to companies offering higher pay and greater responsibility. The employment outlook for first-line supervisors is expected to grow more slowly than the average through 2014. As the number of workers increases, the number of supervisors needed to oversee production should also increase. However, the automation of production lines should counterbalance this trend, as should the establishment of many manufacturing plants overseas. People who have a good work record, leadership ability, and several years of college or technical school training should have the best job opportunities. Supervisors are often not affected by layoffs during economic downturns. Earnings and Benefits The earnings of first-line supervisors vary from industry to industry. In 2004 first-line supervisors earned a median hourly wage of $21.51. Supervisors who work in the chemical manufacturing industry are paid the highest median hourly wage, while those in the apparel manufacturing industry are paid the lowest hourly wage. Usually, first-line supervisors earn significantly more than the workers under their supervision. Benefits typically include paid holidays and vacations, health insurance, and pension plans. Source, http:/www.bls.gov

Industrial Production Managers

Industrial production managers plan, direct, and coordinate the production activities required to produce the vast array of goods manufactured every year in the United States. They make sure that production meets output and quality goals while remaining within budget. Depending on the size of the manufacturing plant, industrial production managers may oversee the entire plant or just one area of it.

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 Industrial production managers devise methods to use the plant's personnel and capital resources to best meet production goals. They may determine which machines will be used, whether new machines need to be purchased, whether overtime or extra shifts are necessary, and what the sequence of production will be. They monitor the production run to make sure that it stays on schedule, and they correct any problems that may arise. Work environment Most industrial production managers divide their time between production areas and their offices. While in the production area, they must follow established health and safety practices and wear the required protective clothing and equipment. The time in the office, which often is located near production areas, usually is spent meeting with subordinates or other department managers, analyzing production data, and writing and reviewing reports. Many industrial production managers work extended hours, especially when production deadlines must be met. In 2008, about a third of all workers worked more than 50 hours a week, on average. In facilities that operate around the clock, managers often work late shifts and may be called at any hour to deal with emergencies. This could mean going to the plant to resolve the problem, regardless of the hour, and staying until the situation is under control. Dealing with production workers as well as superiors when working under the pressure of production deadlines or emergency situations can be stressful. Corporate restructuring has eliminated levels of management and support staff, thus shifting more responsibilities to production managers and compounding the stress Education and training. Many industrial production managers have a college degree in business administration, management, industrial technology, or industrial engineering. However, although employers may prefer candidates with a business or engineering background, some companies will hire well-rounded graduates from other fields who are willing to spend time in a production-related job, because experience in some aspect of production operations is needed before one advances to upper management positions.

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 Some industrial production managers enter the occupation after working their way up through the ranks, starting as production workers and then advancing to supervisory positions before being selected for management. These workers already have an intimate knowledge of the production process and the firm's organization. To increase ones chances of promotion, workers can expand their skills by obtaining a college degree, demonstrating leadership qualities, or taking company-sponsored courses to learn the additional skills needed in management positions. As production operations become more sophisticated, an increasing number of employers are looking for candidates with graduate degrees in industrial management or business administration, particularly for positions at larger plants where managers have more oversight responsibilities. Combined with an undergraduate degree in engineering, either of these graduate degrees is considered particularly good preparation. Managers who do not have graduate degrees often take courses in decision sciences, which provide them with techniques and statistical formulas that can be used to maximize efficiency and improve quality. Those who enter the field directly from college or graduate school often are unfamiliar with the firm's production process. As a result, they may spend their first few months in the company's training program. These programs familiarize trainees with the production process, company policies, and the requirements of the job. In larger companies, they also may include assignments to other departments, such as purchasing and accounting. A number of companies hire college graduates as first-line supervisors and promote them to management positions later. Median annual wages for industrial production managers were $83,290 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $64,390 and $108,710. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,330, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $140,530. Median annual wages in the manufacturing industries employing the largest numbers of industrial production managers were as follows: Navigational, measuring, electro medical, and control $97,860

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 instruments manufacturing Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing Motor vehicle parts manufacturing Printing and related support activities Plastics product manufacturing

96,620 83,720 80,080 78,090

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments. Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments. Determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material, and mark fabric accordingly. Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, and/or grading devices. Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns. Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept. Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers. Discuss design specifications with designers, and convert their original models of garments into patterns of separate parts that can be laid out on a length of fabric. Mark samples and finished patterns with information such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions. Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.

Knowledge Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010

Salary National Median wages (2008) $18.15 hourly, $37,760 annual Employment (2008) 8,000 employees Projected growth (2008-2018) Decline rapidly (-10% or lower) Projected job openings (2008- 900 2018) Top industries (2008) Manufacturing

Quality Assurance Manager

Quality Assurance Managers set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality. Quality assurance (QA) aims to ensure that the product or service an organisation provides is fit for purpose and meets both external and internal requirements, including legal compliance and customer expectations. A quality manager, sometimes called a quality assurance manager, coordinates the activities required to meet quality standards. Quality managers also monitor and advise on the performance of the quality management system and produces data and report on performance, measuring against set indicators. They liaise with other managers and staff throughout the organisation to ensure that the QA system is functioning properly. Where appropriate, the quality manager advises on changes and their implementation and provides training, tools and techniques to enable others to achieve quality.

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010 Entry requirements Although this area of work is open to all graduates, the following subjects may increase your chances in the relevant industry:

physical/mathematical/applied science; engineering; business/management; textile technology; polymer science/technology.

Relevant HND subjects include engineering, business studies, physical, mathematical and applied sciences, and life and medical sciences. In particular, the following HND subjects may improve your chances in the relevant industry:

business/management; production/manufacturing engineering; materials science/technology; printing; textile technology; clothing technology; food science/technology.

Entry without a degree or HND is sometimes possible with substantial experience and training. A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not needed, but a number of postgraduate courses are available and may improve your prospects of entry. Some of the courses focus on quality assurance (QA) in a specific industry or sector, while others cover quality management more generally. Some areas of work, such as the manufacturing and processing industries, require a technical background, but others are open to graduates of any degree. In addition to technical competence, potential employers will look for evidence of the following skills:

communication; persuasiveness; the ability to influence people;

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010

interpersonal skills; problem solving; organizing and planning; numerical and statistical ability; an aptitude for analysis; team working appreciation of other work disciplines, such as engineering and science.

Salary and conditions Range of typical starting salaries: 18,000 - 23,000 (salary data collected May 08). Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 10-15 years in the role): 25,000 - 43,000 (salary data collected May 08). Salaries vary by location, the size of the organization and the nature of its business. Some companies now make quality management appointments at director level, and these posts attract salaries in the range of 50,000 - 60,000 (salary data collected May 08). Working hours and conditions vary between sectors, but early starts and late finishes may be required. In manufacturing and process industries, weekend, shift work, and on-call work may be required. Work may be office based, as in customer service operations, or laboratory based, as in process industries. Once experience has been gained, self-employment and freelance work are possible by working as a consultant to small firms or trainers. Career breaks are possible, but QA techniques change and develop rapidly so it is important to keep up to date. Jobs are available in organizations throughout the UK. Quality management is practiced in all industries in the public and private sectors and by firms and organizations of all sizes. Travel within a working day depends on the employer and may sometimes be frequent. Absence from home overnight and overseas work or travel may be required for visiting customers, carrying out supplier audits, meeting to discuss quality plans or investigating particular quality issues, for example.

Contacts and resources

British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) Food Standards Agency International Society for Quality in Healthcare Marketing and Sales Standards Setting Body (MSSSB) National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Pharmaceutical Quality Group Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)

Cierra Cannon FM 324 Job Research Assignment 04/19/2010

British Quality Foundation British Standards Institution (BSI) Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) European Organization for Quality (EOQ) International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for Higher Education United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

Operations Manager Operations manager is an area of business concerned with the production of goods and services, and involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as little resource as needed, and effective in terms of meeting customer requirements. It is concerned with managing the process that converts inputs (in the forms of materials, labor and energy) into outputs (in the form of goods and services). An operation traditionally refers to the production of goods and services separately, although the distinction between these two main types of operations is increasingly difficult to make as manufacturers tend to merge product and service offerings. More generally, Operations Management aims to increase the content of value-added activities in any given process. Fundamentally, these value-adding creative activities should be aligned with market opportunity for optimal enterprise performance. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Operations Management is the field concerned with managing and directing] the physical and/or technical functions of a firm or organization, particularly those relating to development, production, and manufacturing. [Operations Management programs typically include] instruction in principles of general management, manufacturing and production systems, plant management, equipment maintenance management, production control, industrial labor relations and skilled trades supervision, strategic manufacturing policy, systems analysis, productivity analysis and cost control, and materials planning.