Operation Management
Operations management is a multi-disciplinary theory that emphasizes on the management of all elements of an entity`s operations. An organization engages in several functions as part of its mandate. Hence, every entity`s activities are grouped into functional categories. A majority of organizations engage in the production of a particular product or provision of a service. Thus, they must perform accounting, administrative, sales, and marketing functions to handle workers and the entire organization. Operation management concentrates on the operations of providing the product or service. It utilizes ideas and technologies to boost productivity, enhance flexibility within the organization, and to provide an enabling workplace for all workers.
Operations management plays a crucial role in reducing costs and boosting profits in an organization. Under operations management, there are three generic strategies that managers can use in marketing. They include focus, differentiation, and cost leadership. Although the cost leadership approach is hard for operations managers to implement, it is extremely effective. It entails advertising a company as the cheapest provider in the market. Similarly, companies need to reduce their production costs and pass the savings to their clients. For example, McDonald’s has used the cost leadership approach effectively by offering meals at low prices. McDonald’s facilitates this strategy via the division of labor that enables it to recruit and coach new workers instead of having professional cooks. Also, the company has a small pool of managers who earn higher salaries.
In a highly competitive business environment, employing a differentiation strategy can give a company a competitive advantage. A differentiation approach entails the creation of a product or service that provides distinct qualities that are valued by consumers and that clients view to be superior to substitutes in the market. A widely used differentiation strategy in operations management is enhancing the customer experience. This entails offering a more convenient location, faster service, additional purchasing avenues, like online shopping and free delivery. For example, Tesco, a multinational food retailing company started offering online shopping and delivery services for customers in the UK in the mid-2000s. Consequently, Tesco has experienced tremendous growth as customers find its services appealing and convenient.
Relationship between Operations Management and Other Organizational Functions
Operations management affects all the functions of an organization. It ensures efficiency in the execution of all functions. It plays a crucial role in product design as it makes sure the products offered to consumers meet their needs and market trends. Also, operations management requires the administration to predict future consumer demand by using past and present data. It also involves managing the supply chain process by upholding control of inventory management, distribution, and sales. Operations managers are tasked with delivery management to ensure that products get to customers on time.
Roles and Responsibility of Sales Operations Manager
Sales operations manager play an essential part in ensuring that sales teams perform. An operations sales manager is responsible for activities, tools, and technologies that facilitate the sales and marketing teams of an organization. As a sales operations manager, one is tasked with a wide range of duties ranging from providing insight about market trends, to developing resources and facilitating the monitoring of sales data. A sales operation manager is responsible for sales forecasting, productivity, and other sales activities. For an individual to become a sales operations manager, they are required to have an undergraduate degree in Business, Marketing, Technology, or a related field.
The primary role and responsibility of a sales operations manager are in strategy and management. They play both a strategic and administrative role in the sales department. The administrative function emerges from the fact that he/she supervises the operations of subordinates facilitating sales workers who work directly under him/her. The manager is responsible for the development and application of new techniques and practices that enhance productivity in sales department operations. Here, the manager makes sure that the entity is conducting itself with integrity all the time and the actions of all employees are aligned with the organization`s core values. Additionally, a sales operations manager builds and upholds a competitive sales culture that concentrates on service delivery. This is done by facilitating the training and development of junior workers. Similarly, the manager supervises junior sales staff and creates sales strategies that help realize the company`s set goals.
Moreover, a sales operations manager is tasked with the knowledge and skills to manage business practices, essential operations, and internal resources to achieve the departmental goals as well as the organizational goals. Hence, they must constantly perform market research and remain familiar with the industry trends and competitive climate. A sales operations manager formulates opportunities by collecting data and, ensuring a company has implemented the current sales instruments and the best practices in the industry. Also, a manager has an in-depth know-how of an entity`s main products via the completion of essential coaching in sales. This knowledge is fundamental in enabling the sales staff to increase sales.
Furthermore, a sales operations manager undertakes an analytical role. The manager evaluates an organization`s sales data and uses fundamental information to create strategic sales operation initiatives to make sure the sales department constantly meets and surpasses the set sales performance objectives. The supervisor is also responsible for completing sales operations reports, sales prediction, and formulating income reports. Also, a sales operations manager serves a collaborative role as he/she has to work closely with various departments in the marketing section. They work together with the entire marketing department to establish and apply effective promotional campaigns that enhance a company`s brand.
A sales operations manager needs to possess a range of skills to effectively handle their tasks and responsibility. These skills include organizational capability, coordination, people skills, tech-savvy, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and communication skills. A sales manager must have the ability to focus on different projects without getting distracted by the numerous operations. They should know how to integrate resources, operations, and time to achieve the company`s goals. Also, they must know how to relate to all stakeholders, especially employees, and have an affinity for technology.