If you’ve ever marveled at how quickly your delivery arrived or wondered why it took so long, you understand the impact operations management can have on customer satisfaction. While businesses have embraced technology to streamline operations, it takes educated leaders to oversee these processes and make data-driven decisions that enhance the bottom line.
A bachelor’s degree in operations management and analysis can equip you with the skills to take on these critical roles. In this article, we’ll highlight seven career paths you can consider with your degree.
Overview: BA in Operations Management and Analysis
A Bachelor of Arts in Operations Management and Analysis is a four-year undergraduate degree that equips you with the leadership, management, problem-solving, and analytical skills needed to oversee and optimize business processes. It’s a degree that may lead to career paths in a number of fields, including manufacturing, supply chain management, quality control, sales, and marketing.
What Are Some BA in Operations Management and Analysis Jobs?
The Department of Labor’s O*Net Online database highlights a wide range of jobs that require at least a bachelor’s degree for those pursuing a career in operations management and analysis. Let’s dive deeper into seven potential career paths you can consider.
- Logistics Analyst
Logistics analysts target product delivery and supply chain processes to identify opportunities for improvement and recommend changes. According to O*Net, the role and its responsibilities also fall under the job title supply chain analyst.
What Does a Logistics Analyst Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a logistics analyst include:
- Data management and analysis: Logistics analysts maintain databases of information and analyze data through methods such as data mining and modeling to prepare reports.
- Monitoring and communication: Logistics analysts remotely monitor the flow of vehicles or inventory using web-based systems, communicate with service providers, and track inventory transactions while communicating with carriers.
- Process improvement and optimization: Logistics analysts recommend improvements to processes, collaborate with management to optimize service levels and minimize costs, and identify opportunities to reduce inventory levels.
- Operational efficiency: Logistics analysts track product flow from origin to final delivery, reorganize shipping schedules to maximize vehicle usage, and use navigation software to enhance efficiency.
- General and Operations Manager
General and operational managers oversee the operations of public or private organizations across multiple departments, manage daily activities, and coordinate the use of materials and human resources. According to O*Net, general and operations managers fall under a category of job titles that includes operations manager, business manager, and store manager, among others.
What Does a General and Operations Manager Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of general and operations managers include:
- Performance monitoring and improvement: General and operations managers review financial statements and performance data to measure productivity, identify areas for cost reduction, and recommend improvements.
- Activity coordination: General and operations managers direct and coordinate all activities and departments involved in production, pricing, sales, and distribution.
- Policy and staffing management: General and operations managers establish departmental policies, prepare staff schedules, and oversee personnel functions, including hiring, training, and evaluation.
- Financial oversight and strategy development: General and operations managers manage budget activities, set pricing strategies, and develop marketing strategies to ensure efficient use of resources.
- Distribution Manager
Distribution managers are part of a job category that also includes the titles fleet manager, warehouse manager, and shipping manager, according to O*Net. Distribution managers plan, direct, and coordinate transportation, storage, and distribution activities while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and government regulations.
What Does a Distribution Manager Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of distribution managers include:
- Operational oversight: Distribution managers supervise staff in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping departments, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations.
- Logistics coordination: Distribution managers work across departments to integrate logistics with business systems, determine cost-effective transport methods, and resolve transportation or customer issues.
- Performance monitoring: Distribution managers monitor supply chain performance measurement systems, prepare and manage departmental budgets, and analyze expenses to ensure profitability.
- Regulatory compliance: Regulations can be complicated, and distribution managers must be able to keep processes in compliance. They develop safety and security programs, and negotiate with carriers and partners for efficient service rates.
- Purchasing Manager
Purchasing managers oversee and coordinate the activities of buyers and purchasing personnel involved in acquiring materials, products, and services. They work in wholesale, retail trade, and procurement management sectors, and according to O*Net, fall under a category that also includes the titles materials manager and purchasing director, among others.
What Does a Purchasing Manager Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of purchasing managers include:
- Purchasing policies and procedures: Purchasing managers develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures to streamline procurement processes.
- Vendor management and relations: Purchasing managers locate and evaluate vendors, negotiate contracts, and resolve issues with suppliers to ensure quality and reliability.
- Budget and cost management: Purchasing managers control purchasing department budgets and develop cost reduction strategies to enhance financial efficiency.
- Staff oversight and training: Purchasing managers direct and coordinate purchasing personnel, including hiring and training staff, to ensure effective operations.
- Operations Research Analyst
According to O*Net, operations research analysts use mathematical modeling and optimization techniques to help management develop smart policies and make informed decisions.
What Does a Purchasing Manager Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of operations research analysts include:
- Model development and analysis: Operations research analysts use mathematical and simulation models to analyze information to identify the best courses of action.
- Data collection and validation: Operations research analysts gather and validate information using judgment and statistical tests, and conduct validation and testing of models to ensure their accuracy.
- Collaboration and communication: Operations research analysts collaborate with management and staff to clarify objectives and ensure successful implementation of solutions.
- Project management and education: Operations research analysts are responsible for project planning and control and educating staff to use mathematical models effectively.
- Sales Manager
Sales managers, according to O*Net, oversee the distribution of products or services to customers. The role involves planning and coordinating sales strategies, establishing territories, quotas, and goals, and developing training programs for sales representatives.
What Does a Sales Manager Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a sales manager include:
- Sales coordination and management: Sales managers direct and coordinate all activities related to the sales of products and services, often while overseeing regional and local sales managers and their teams.
- Customer relations: Sales managers resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service, while monitoring customer preferences to align sales efforts with their demands.
- Financial oversight: Sales managers review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
- Staff development: Sales managers plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to enhance sales and service programs, ensuring their teams are equipped to meet business goals.
- Marketing Manager
Marketing managers, according to O*Net, develop strategies to assess product demand, identify potential customers, optimize pricing for profit and market share, and oversee product development.
What Does a Marketing Manager Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a marketing manager include:
- Strategy development: Marketing managers develop marketing strategies aligned with organizational goals, market characteristics, and cost factors.
- Financial analysis and pricing: Marketing managers evaluate the financial aspects of product development, including budgets and return-on-investment (ROI), while developing pricing strategies.
- Staff management and collaboration: Marketing managers oversee the hiring and training of marketing or sales staff and collaborate with product development personnel on product specifications and design.
- Market research and promotion: Marketing managers are responsible for market research studies that identify potential markets. They also coordinate promotional activities to enhance product visibility and accessibility.
What Other Roles Could I Consider with an Operations Management and Analysis Degree?
In addition to the aforementioned, additional careers you could consider with your bachelor’s degree in operations management and analysis include roles in the project management sector as well as:
- Industrial engineer
- Manufacturing manager
- Production planner
- Business analyst
- Quality assurance manager
- Production manager
- Production scheduler
Review: What Can I Do with a BA in Operations Management and Analysis?
Efficient operations are essential for organizational productivity, and a Bachelor of Arts in Operations Management and Analysis equips you with key leadership, management, and analytical skills to succeed in multiple sectors, including manufacturing, supply chain management, quality control, sales, and marketing. With this degree, you can pursue roles such as logistics analyst, general and operations manager, distribution manager, purchasing manager, operations research analyst, sales manager, and marketing manager. If you want to make an impact and help organizations succeed through smooth and efficient operations, you should consider pursuing a BA in operations management and analysis.