Operations managers are the masterminds of the business world. These talented professionals have what it takes to make sure that every part of a company runs smoothly. Chances are, if you’re applying for this role, you’re an organisational whiz kid. The key to landing an interview is showcasing your talents on a well-written operations manager CV.
Whether you’re new to the game or you’ve been managing businesses for decades, getting your foot in the door is the first step. As you will see in the following CV example, there’s an easy way you can highlight your experiences, expertise, and skill-set. Keep in mind that hiring managers don’t spend too long looking at each application. For that reason, your one-page CV needs to be clear, concise, and informative from the get-go.
Here at Resume.io, we have the best resources to accelerate your career. Our team of experts provide CV writing guides, CV examples, and an easy-to-use CV builder to boot. We can help you effortlessly create an application that turns hiring managers’ heads. In the following CV guide and the CV example, we will cover everything you need to know to supercharge your job search. You can expect the following:
- What does an operations manager do?
- How to write an operations manager CV (plus CV example)
- The best format for an operations manager CV
- Handy advice on each section of your CV
- Professional CV layout and design tricks.
What does an operations manager do?
Before we go any further, let’s take a look at what operations managers do. These talented professionals are responsible for five vital areas: people, core operations, budgeting, projects and strategy. You will need a varied skill-set to succeed in all of the above.
To excel in this role, you will need to have an analytical mind, a deep understanding of business and finance, and the ability to inspire and motivate a team. It’s a tall order. While the following is not an extensive list of your duties, you may find yourself having to:
- Manage the quality assurance of products or services delivered by the company.
- Make important financial decisions that pertain to the business’ budget.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders before making operational decisions.
- Have a complete view of all of the business operations and workflow processes.
- Ensure that there is efficient project and process management across the board.
- Motivate the wider team — even acting as a mentor for talented staff members.
- Make tough business-centric decisions that will propel the company forward.
How much can you expect to earn?
Before you start applying for operation manager positions, let’s delve into how much you will take home. The average base salary for this role is £35,687, according to Payscale.
However, it’s worth noting that you may earn more thanks to profit sharing and bonuses throughout the year. When you are applying for your next position, be sure to have a clear view of your salary expectations. You may be asked what they are at an interview.
Since the role of an operations manager is so diverse, you will need to have a strong skill-set and — if applicable — years of experience. When you are writing your CV, highlight the expertise you have gathered since starting your career. Be as specific as you can. You may want to draw attention to your collaboration or leadership skills, for example.
How to write an operations manager CV
You already know that you have what it takes to fulfil the role. Now it’s time to prove it to a hiring manager. Before you get started on your operations manager CV, you need to get the basics down. To put it simply, your CV should contain the following components:
- The CV header
- The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- TheCV skills section
- The education section
You don’t have to be a natural-born wordsmith to write your operations manager CV. Creating an application that lands you the job interview is all about showing off your best features. Since you started your career, you have doubtless come up against challenges. This one-page document tells the story of how you overcame them and were victorious.
Of course, to get it right, you need to remember a few key things. As you can see from our operations manager CV sample, writing this document is an art form. An expertly-written CV gives hiring managers an overview of your professional experiences and skills. However, you should always leave them wanting more — there is time to discuss specifics at the interview. When writing your application, follow these golden rules:
- Your operations manager CV should be no longer than one page. If you try to cram too much into your application, it can end up looking messy and chaotic.
- Focus on results! Hiring managers want to see that you can get the job done. Quantify any achievements you have gained and add timeframes, where possible.
- Research the company first. When writing your operations manager CV, you need to tailor your skills to meet the demands of the company to which you’re applying.
Optimise your CV for the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
ATS is a type of software that many hiring managers use to simplify their job. Since a single job posting may receive hundreds — or even thousands — of responses, it can be hard to whittle down candidates. The program ranks each incoming CV based on how well it fits the original job criteria. It does this by looking for specific keywords and phrases. The more matches you have, the more likely it is that your CV will pass.
Luckily, there’s a simple way you can optimise your application. Refer back to the job advert and pick out any specific words or terms that it includes. Pepper your CV with these phrases. This simple trick may increase your chances of getting an interview!
Want to learn more about ATS software? Read our complete guide to mastering it here.
Choosing the best CV format for an operations manager
In most cases, the reverse chronological CV format works best for operations managers. That means that you start with your most recent experience and education at the top of the page. As you move down the page, you work your way backwards in time. That way, the hiring manager can quickly and easily see whether you are a good fit for the position.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. If you want to highlight important or niche skills, you may want to use the functional CV instead. This approach emphasises your operational expertise over your experience. For more information on choosing the right format for your CV, read our comprehensive guide now.
Need some inspiration? Check out our project manager CV sample, business analyst CV sample, HR manager CV sample, and team leader CV sample.
CV summary example: your elevator pitch
How would you describe yourself professionally in 2-3 lines? That is what your CV summary is all about. The short blurb sits below your CV header and is a quick introduction about you. If you are familiar with elevator pitches, writing this is a similar process. Quickly and concisely tell the hiring manager why you’re the perfect candidate.
Your space is limited here. For that reason, you need to keep your word count snappy. Cut out any phrases that start with ‘I am,’ ‘I have,’ or even just ‘I.’ You want to get straight to the point here. Instead of saying ‘I am experienced in supervising and developing staff,’ get in there with a quicker ‘Experienced in supervising and developing staff.’
Highly dynamic Operations Manager adept in overseeing both small and large facility operations to ensure productivity and success. Experienced in supervising and developing staff, leading to the successful deployment and execution of initiatives.
Employment history sample: share your experience
To land your dream job, your employment history needs to tell your story so far. What positions have you held? What challenges have you overcome? What results have you achieved? This section of your CV needs to answer all of these questions. Get started by listing your specific role, the company, the location, and your dates of employment.
Next, use the space below this information to share your experiences within that position. You may want to bullet point your core duties or any achievements of which you’re proud. If it is appropriate to do so, you should also quantify these points with statistics.
Operations Manager, Kledfields
Mar 2017 - Present Glasgow
- Oversee management, control, and direction of outbound, and inbound operations within the fulfillment centre for this high-end kitchen product company.
- Motivate and support a team of 25 to succeed in a demanding environment.
- Collaborate with other teams, including HR and IT, to create plans and schedules, and monitor and increase performance levels.
- Consistently ensure the adherence to health and safety standards.
- Drive continuous process improvements to grow customer satisfaction rates.
Operations Manager, Glasgow Stone & Tile
Apr 2014 - Feb 2017 Glasgow
- Served as an effective team leader and manager for one of Glasgow's busiest stone and tile centres.
- Oversaw the execution of operations in line with customer performance targets.
- Led and motivated a team of 15 shift managers and drivers to continually excel.
- Monitored fleet assets to ensure compliance with transport requirements.
- Oversaw the operations budget and cost control at a site level.
- Helped the company to achieve a 40% client/customer growth rate in 3 years.
CV skills example
Your CV skills list needs to incorporate both hard and soft skills. Hard (or technical) skills are specific to the job title. For example, these may include ‘inventory management’ or ‘business operations.’ On the other hand, soft skills are more fluid. They may include ‘leadership skills,’ ‘adaptability,’ and ‘organisational skills.’ Try to find a balance here.
- Business Operations
- Leadership Skills
- Adaptability
- Organisational Skills
- Staff Management
- Inventory Management
Operations manager CV education example
You may have a degree in operational management or — conversely — you may have worked your way up the ranks with just a school education. Either way, you need to showcase your qualifications on your CV. As we have already mentioned, you should use the reverse chronological approach, starting with your most recent accolades. Listing the certificates you have gained is straightforward. Take a look at our CV example for style:
University of Strathclyde, Bachelor of Science in Operations Management, Glasgow
Sep 2010 - May 2014
Abercorn Secondary School, A Levels Math, Science,IT, Glasgow
Sep 2006 - May 2010
Resume layout and design
First impressions matter! When you’re designing your CV, you need to make sure that it’s reader-friendly. Fortunately, there are some simple rules you can follow to get it right:
- Use a sleek and professional design for your CV document
- Make use of ‘white space’ — leave adequate gaps between sections
- Ensure your CV fits on one page
- Choose a gimmicky or flashy design when making your CV
- Go wild with font styles — stick to something simple instead
- Try to cram too much on the page
Pitching your CV design perfectly doesn't have to be difficult. If design is not your forte, you can use our wide selection of CV templates to get the job done quickly and easily.
Key takeaways for an operations manager
- Operations managers play a vital role in the everyday running of businesses. Your CV needs to demonstrate that you have a diverse skill-set, making you the perfect candidate.
- Read the original job advert closely and make a note of any important phrases. Using these words within your CV may help your application get past the ATS software.
- You should tailor your operations manager CV to meet the demands of the business.
- Short on time? Using an online CV builder can take all of the stress out of perfecting your applications and going for that new job!
