About This Career

Plans, directs, or coordinates the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manages through subordinate supervisors.

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster General Management pathway, Operations Management pathway.

A person in this career:

• Reviews financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
• Directs and coordinates activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
• Directs administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
• Prepares staff work schedules and assigns specific duties.
• Directs or coordinates financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
• Plans or directs activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.
• Performs personnel functions, such as selection, training, or evaluation.
• Establishes or implements departmental policies, goals, objectives, or procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, or staff members.
• Monitors suppliers to ensure that they efficiently and effectively provide needed goods or services within budgetary limits.
• Manages the movement of goods into and out of production facilities to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, or sustainability of operations.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Overnight travel
• Overtime work