Operations Management Concentration

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In this guide:
Career Options
Professional Designations
Courses at Brock
Clubs & Associations
How the BCDO can help
Important Competencies

A concentration in operations management provides you with the knowledge and skills required to perform the processes that transform or convert inputs of materials, energy, information, and human skills into goods and services that satisfy customer needs. It will give you an understanding of the design and implementation of systems for planning, controlling and continuously improving operations.

Nature of work & types of jobs:

• Process Improvement Consultant
• Logistics Manager
• Facilities Coordinator
• Industrial Production Manager

Positions of Recent Grads:

• Process Analyst
• Category Analyst
• Category Implementation Specialist
• Associate Product Manager
• Logistics Coordinator

Career Options
The following are examples of career paths in the field of operations management:

Operations Managers analyze, design, and improve the processes by which goods and services are produced. They forecast future demand for goods and services, monitor the work environment, vendor selection, and manage logistics and supply chains.

Production Managers are responsible for ensuring production runs smoothly through the allocation of labour resources, monitoring production scheduling and costs, and coordinating receiving raw materials or shipping of complete products.

Quality Assurance Managers implement and manage quality assurance programs and are responsible for making sure that expected levels of quality will be reached.

Operations Research Analysts decide on the best allocation of resources (i.e. time, money, people, space, and raw materials) within an organization or system.

Purchasing Managers buy the goods and services, raw materials, and supplies needed by the firm for its operation. They are responsible for coordinating the quantity, quality, price, and timing delivery as required by the firm.

Professional Designations
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) - CSCPs use processes, tools, and technologies applied to managing the end-to-end forward and backward flow of materials, information, and value in the supply chain.

Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) - A CMQ/OE facilitates and leads team efforts to establish and monitor customer/supplier relations, supports strategic planning and deployment initiatives, and helps develop measurement systems to determine organizational improvement.

Professional Certification in Supply Chain and Logistics (P.Log) - The Professional Logistician initiates and manages change throughout the organization, is the key to a company’s bench strength in globally competitive markets, and is committed to continuous learning in the service of sustainable business developments.

Courses at Brock
A concentration in Operations Management prepares you to work in a variety of positions including manager of manufacturing or service operations, project manager, supply chain analyst, inventory manager, logistics planner or a consultant. There are also a number of professional certifications in the industry. Upper-year courses offered at Brock include:

• OPER 3P91-Advanced Operations Management
• OPER 3P92-Project Management
• OPER 3P93-Quality Management
• OPER 4P26-Supply Chain Management
• OPER 4P31-Simulation of Business Systems
• OPER 4P41-Management Science

Clubs & Associations
Both work and volunteer experience can help you gain the necessary skills to get a job in operations management.

Recommended Club(s) on Campus:

• Business Students’ Association (BSA)

Associations, Volunteer Organizations, and other resources:

• Careers in the Supply Chain
• Canadian Operational Research Society (CORS)
• Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC)
• American Society for Quality (ASQ)
  

How the BCDO Can Help
The BCDO provides various services and hosts different events to help prepare students for the job search process. Check out our workshops or book an appointment with our office.

You are also encouraged to attend the following events, hosted by the BCDO:

1. “How To Get A Job In…” Series – meet alumni and industry professionals
2. Networking Breakfast – Meeting employers from different companies and find out about job opportunities

Important Competencies

• Communication Skills (verbal & written)
• Analytical Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Technical Skills
• Demonstrates Initiative
• Flexibility & Adaptability
• Leadership Skills
• Ability to Plan, Schedule, & Control Projects
• Results-Oriented
• Ability to Improve Business Processes
• Time Management
• Decision Making Skills

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