operations manager.

Your responsibilities as an operations manager depend on where you work. In the hospitality industry, you'll face different challenges than in manufacturing. Your main task is to ensure smooth operations. Your duties are diverse. Curious about what specific roles you can expect as an operations manager? Then read on.

Operations managers are responsible for ensuring smooth and efficient processes. That’s why they are in demand across all industries. In your profession, you have almost countless opportunities to specialise. Take a look here at the different types of operations managers:

• Gastro-manager: In the hospitality industry, you run places like cafeterias, restaurants, or even a cruise ship. You implement the operational concept by organising and overseeing the daily workflow. You select the menu items and beverages, take care of purchasing. You ensure hygiene and quality standards are met. You take guests' praise and criticism seriously. If there’s room for improvement, you make the necessary changes. As a gastro-manager, you’re responsible for productivity as well as satisfied staff and guests.
• Transport and logistics operations manager: If you specialise in this area, you oversee companies or divisions involved in road transport. You’re familiar with supply chain management. You take on important responsibilities here. You handle procurement, storage, distribution, and transportation. It’s up to you to ensure that all interconnected processes run smoothly. This way, goods and people reach their destinations on time.
• Operations manager of a diplomatic mission: If you’re drawn to diplomacy, you work for embassies, Swiss general consulates, or cooperation offices. You lead a team, manage the finances, and advise the management. In your role, you provide consular support to Swiss citizens in distress. Additionally, you’re responsible for ensuring that the operation runs smoothly even in times of crisis.
• Farm manager agriculture: In agriculture, you ensure an economically viable production of high quality. Whether vegetables, fruit, or wine, you cultivate sustainably. This involves assessing the location, choosing the appropriate cultivation methods, and determining the optimal harvest time. As a farm manager agriculture, you also raise livestock in a species-appropriate manner. The key to your success lies in efficient structures and suitable sales channels. You can also specialise further in areas such as fruit growing, vegetable cultivation, or viticulture.

If you browse through different job platforms, you'll see a wide range of salaries for operations managers. This is because your gross salary depends on several factors. Firstly, your education and work experience play a significant role. With a Bachelor's or Master's degree, you typically earn more than with a basic vocational qualification. Additionally, the industry, region, and employer also have a big impact. Some companies offer extra benefits that can quickly amount to several thousand Swiss francs. As an operations manager, you can expect an average starting salary of around 80,000 CHF. That’s roughly 6,700 CHF per month. Find out more about your gross salary as an operations manager here.

An operations manager is not a profession you learn through a specific apprenticeship. Rather, you grow into this role through a basic education or university studies combined with practical work experience. If you're interested in a particular industry, you choose the corresponding commercial or technical apprenticeship. If you plan to pursue a management career from the outset, opt for a degree in business administration or natural sciences with a specialization. Production companies and logistics providers value technicians and engineers. The hospitality industry and retail prefer business administrators. As an operations manager, you need strong leadership skills. You acquire the necessary know-how through further training and hands-on experience. Seminars to deepen your expertise are offered by industry associations such as the Swiss Farmers’ Union (OdA AgriAliForm), GastroSuisse, or the Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association (ASTAG).

As an operations manager, you'll find interesting positions in many industries. You choose your job based on your preferences. If you enjoy watching finished products roll off the assembly line, a manufacturing company is the place for you. If it's exciting for you to see a product grow and develop, agriculture is your top choice. You pamper guests in the hospitality sector. In logistics, you ensure that customers receive their goods. Are you looking for an attractive position as an operations manager? Take a look at our job listings on this page.

As a career changer, you have excellent chances of landing a job as an operations manager. You bring good prerequisites if you come from a related profession. Several years of professional experience and leadership skills increase your chances of securing an attractive position. If you're ready to develop further, companies are looking forward to receiving your application. Through Randstad, you'll also find a suitable job as a career changer.

In your role as operations manager, you already hold a senior management position. In smaller companies, you are part of the top management team. You often use your position in larger organisations as a stepping stone. Your successes might even position you as a candidate for the role of chief executive officer. But responsible and diverse tasks are not limited to senior management roles. If you specialise as an expert in a specific area, attractive positions and salaries become within reach. Over the years, building a broad network can enable you to work as an independent consultant. Are you looking to develop further as an operations manager? Check out our tests and tips.

Operations managers ensure smooth processes within the company. Specialised knowledge (expertise) is essential for that. Other important skills include:

• Leadership qualities: In your job, you work with your team to implement company goals. To ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction, you motivate your team. Your employees enjoy their work and support each other to the best of their ability. If there are tensions, you resolve the conflicts.
• Communication skills: In your job, you work with a variety of people. You convey company goals to your team. You respond to feedback from customers or guests. If there are any deviations, you inform management. Thanks to your strong communication skills, everyone values you as a point of contact.
• Organisation talent: As an operations manager, you ensure everything runs smoothly. You organise materials and staff. If resources are insufficient or things start to go off track, you step in. You find solutions for everything, even at short notice. This way, you make sure everything is completed on time and to the required quality.

There are many good reasons to work at Randstad as an operations manager:
✓ exciting jobs with well-known companies
✓ a reliable contact person whenever you need one, personal advice really matters
✓ attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
✓ continuing education courses and personal development opportunities
✓ clear information in the myRandstad app
✓ do you have a fixed-term contract? Often, there’s a chance to secure a permanent position afterwards. Many popular companies also recruit their staff directly through Randstad.

your professional development budget as a operations manager at randstad.

If you work as an operations manager for Randstad, you have access to further training courses. As part of the TempTraining program from swissstaffing, you can attend training sessions. You will get the course fees reimbursed later, provided you pass the course exam. Your Randstad advisor is there to support you if you have any questions. This way, you can acquire additional language skills or job-specific knowledge, all during your working hours as an operations manager.

Have you found your dream job as operations manager? Not only qualifications and certificates determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalized documents will definitely help you in your job search. Here are a few useful tips to improve your chances:

Here you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about the role of operations manager.