Growth Trends for Related Jobs
Operations Specialist Job Description
The ways in which companies operate can vary, depending on the type of industry that the company is a part of and the managerial decisions that were made when the company was being formed. Companies are usually interested in improving their operations in order to become more efficient, effective and legal. Therefore, many companies hire operations specialists--a term that can vary in meaning from company to company.
Function
The job duties for operations specialists can vary from location to location. The operations specialist is responsible for analyzing how information is recorded and how this recording of information can be improved, according to Emory University. The operations specialist also analyzes the needs of the customer and determines how operations can be altered to better cater to consumer needs. The operations specialist frequently evaluates operations to make sure that they comply with safety standards, according to Northwest Software. He is also responsible for creating a system in which employees can report hazards. Finally, the operations specialist audits legal documents related to customers, according to Mergis Group.
Skills
The operations specialist sometimes only needs high school diploma. However, some companies want the operations specialist to have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as finance or a business-related field. The specialist must also have knowledge of computer programming. She must be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. She should also have experience with anti-money laundering, according to the Mergis Group.
Conditions
Operations specialists spend some time in the office planning and analyzing data. They also travel to various business sites to collect data regarding operations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that operations specialists and other management analysts generally work 40 hours a week.
Outlook
The need for management analysts such as operations specialists is expected to grow by 24 percent between 2008 and 2018. While businesses sometimes try to increase profit by finding new markets, they also try to accomplish this by making their operations more efficient. However, operations specialists are also often needed in order to ensure that the company is complying with all regulatory standards.
Salary
In 2008, the median earnings for management analysts such as operations specialists were $73,570, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle 50 percent earned between $54,890 and $99,700. The highest 10 percent earned more than $133,850, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,910. Computer companies are among the highest payers of operations specialists.
Writer
Charles Pearson has written as a freelancer since 2009. He has a B.S. in literature from Purdue University Calumet and is currently working on his M.A. He has written the ebooks "Karate You Can Teach Your Kids," "Macadamia Growing Handout" and "The Raw Food Diet."
Photo Credits
ipopba/iStock/GettyImages