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Operations Manager

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, Production Supervisor, Supply Chain Manager

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 0911: Manufacturing Managers

2006 NOC-S

  • A391: Manufacturing Managers

2011 NOC

  • 0911: Manufacturing managers

2016 NOC

  • 0911: Manufacturing managers

2021 NOC

  • 90010: Manufacturing managers

2023 OaSIS

  • 90010.00: Manufacturing managers
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2017

Operations managers oversee 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-term production and service plans based on demand forecasts for goods 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 relationships.

Operations 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 also should have a good understanding of the sales and operations planning (S&OP) process to carry out many of their duties effectively.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2017
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

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

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Manufacturing Managers

2006 NOC: 0911

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
DIRECTIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to direct, control and evaluate the operations of manufacturing establishments or production departments of manufacturing establishments, to direct quality control inspection systems and to reccommend the replacement of machines; and in overseeing employee training

INNOVATIVE

Interest in negotiating with senior managers to develop and implement plans to efficiently use materials, labour and equipment to meet production targets

METHODICAL

Interest in developing production schedules and equipment maintenance schedules and in maintaining inventories of raw materials and finished products

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2017

Operations managers need:

  • oral and written communication skills
  • 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.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Manufacturing managers

2016 NOC: 0911

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Aug 05, 2022 and Mar 22, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate daily operations
Attention to detail
Tasks: Organize and maintain inventory
Tasks: Direct quality control inspections
Tasks: Develop equipment maintenance schedules and recommend the replacement of machines
Construction Specialization: Team player
Tasks: Develop production schedules and maintain an inventory of raw materials and finished products
Construction Specialization: Organized
Construction Specialization: Reliability
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2017
  • Minimum Education Varies

There is no standard educational requirement to become an operations manager, but a related degree or post-secondary diploma in business or engineering is recommended. Employers in particular industries may require specialized courses or related experience.


Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Calgary South
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton City Centre
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton North
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton South
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton West
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Red Deer
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care- Calgary North
Lakeland College
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Professional Institute of Massage Therapy Calgary
Reeves College - Calgary City Centre
Reeves College - Calgary North
Reeves College - Calgary South
Reeves College - Edmonton
Reeves College - Edmonton North
Reeves College - Lloydminster
Reeves College Edmonton South
Robertson College - Calgary

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2017
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Supply Chain Management Professional

Supply chain management professionals buy goods, materials, supplies and services as required by their organization.

Legislation

Supply Chain Management Professional is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf] and Supply Chain Management Association Alberta Regulation [pdf]. This means that to call yourself a Supply Chain Management Professional, you must be a registered member of the Supply Chain Management Association Alberta (SCMA AB). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Supply Chain Management Professional.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Supply Chain Management Professional.

​Additional Information

Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) offers:

  • the CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) designation to members who have successfully completed the CSCP exam
  • the CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) designation to those who have successfully completed 5 exams within 10 years
  • the CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution) designation to eligible candidates upon successful completion of an exam.

Preparatory courses are offered through post-secondary schools and exam modules are available on the ASCM website.

Also, the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) awards the Supply Chain Management Profession (SCMP) designation to those who have completed their program. For more information, visit the SCMA website. ​

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2017

Operations managers work in advisory and management positions with:

  • consulting firms
  • manufacturers
  • transportation companies
  • distribution organizations
  • logistics service providers
  • service institutions.

Experienced operations managers may advance to senior management positions.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 0911: Manufacturing managers occupational group, 95.7% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 0911: Manufacturing managers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 59 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2017

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.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Manufacturing managers

2016 NOC: 0911
Average Wage
$53.36
Per Hour
Average Salary
$110,981.00
Per Year
Average Hours
40.3
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 0911 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $22.93 $80.77 $43.70 $40.00
Overall $25.55 $96.15 $53.36 $48.08
Top $26.67 $132.21 $67.59 $57.95

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Agriculture
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
9%
9%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
26%
26%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
1%
1%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2017

Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) website: www.ascm.org

Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) website: www.supplychaincanada.com

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2017. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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