Find out more about what OM really is and where it can take you.

What is OM?

Operations Management (OM) refers to management of core operations of an organization. Core operations entail the process of transformation of inputs to outputs using technical, human, and financial resources. For example, typical core operations of a manufacturing firm like GM or Procter and Gamble include product design, production planning, sourcing and purchasing, manufacturing scheduling and control, shop-floor productivity improvement, quality assurance and improvement, and overall supply chain design and management. Core operations of a service firm such as American Airlines include asset acquisition, business segments and flight planning, flight scheduling and staffing, aircraft maintenance, hub operations, and overall productivity analysis and improvement. The critical role of OM in an organization's long-term sustenance and growth has now been recognized even in less traditional sectors such as hospitals, banks, departmental stores, hotels and tourism, and government agencies.

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Careers in OM

OM knowledge helps a business professional design, implement, manage, and improve manufacturing and service production systems and processes. Thus, a wide range of career opportunities exists in all sectors, both in line and staff functions. In manufacturing firms, typical careers of OM professionals lead to titles such as process improvement manager, operations/productivity analyst, quality assurance manager, purchasing manager, production manager, inventory manager, warehouse manager, distribution manager, and customer service manager. In a typical airline, the chief operations manager oversees engineering, maintenance, ground operations, and flight operations. In addition, corporate operations analysis staff is engaged in on-going operations improvement projects. In department stores, operations managers hold titles of store managers, department managers, warehouse managers, and corporate operations analysis managers. In hospitals and banks, OM careers exist in the operations design, analysis and improvement area. OM knowledge of operations planning and analysis skills also aids other organizational managers in the marketing, management information systems, finance, accounting, and human resource management. Finally, OM graduates are increasingly finding attractive career opportunities in consulting firms due to their knowledge and skills in operations design and improvement.

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