He is also responsible for the control of the production in that once the production process has begun, he needs to continually schedule and monitor the activities that the process will require. The Operations Management divisions manager must be receptive to feedback and make adaptations as required. This is when the purchasing of raw materials takes place as well as the management of inventories.
The operations manager engages in efforts to ensure that goods are produced in line with specifications and that quality is assured. Operations management involves working closely with most ofther divisions within a company.
The first step in production planning from an operations management perspective is deciding which process is best for the manufacture of the product. This entails addressing a few matters to reach a decision. By comparing three basic types of processes or methods, namely, make-to-order, mass production, and mass customisation, the Operations Manager must work with other managers, particularly marketers, to select the process that best serves the needs of the business’s clients. Operations management studies involve a lot of personal interaction and negotiation skills.
After selecting the best production process, the Operations Manager then decides where the products will be manufactured, how large the manufacturing facilities will be, and how the facilities will be set out.
In choosing a location, managers must consider several factors. These include a site that will minimise shipping costs, have a good supply of skilled workers, provide a favourable community for workers and their families, offer resources at low cost, and have a positive business climate.
Operations Managers rarely find locations that meet all these criteria. They thus try to attain the most important criteria and a qualification in operations management give you the skills needed.
Study operations management
