• Operations Managers (OMs) of small and medium sized wood manufacturing companies plan, organize, and direct daily wood manufacturing operations.
• OMs contribute to the development and monitoring of operational budgets, and promote efficiencies and high quality product through all manufacturing processes.

Operations Managers perform a variety of duties including:

• Scheduling of work activities and human resources
• Overseeing staff performance, training and development
• Developing strategic plans
• Managing production materials
• Developing customer relations
• Quality control and quality assurance inspections for finished products
• Reviewing production schedules to plan manufacturing operations
• Managing safety standards
• Managing operational budget
• Evaluating production efficiency and ensuring optimum productivity
• Contributing to organizational sales and marketing initiatives

The working environment in small to medium organizations is a factory setting that may consist of the office, shop facilities and warehouse in one location. Operations Managers spend a typical workday shuttling between the office and the shop floor, as necessary. Operations Managers may be on the shop floor part of the time and should have the ability to be on their feet for long periods of time. The noise levels, ventilation and other working conditions require the use of personal protective gear and safety equipment.

Personal characteristics suitable for the Operations Managers include:

• Ability to troubleshoot
• Ability to be on feet for long periods of time
• Organizational skills
• People skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to carry out mathematical calculations
• Good listener
• Observant

• Completion of a college or university program in engineering or business administration is usually required.
• Five to ten years of supervisory experience in manufacturing are required.

Essential Skills including numeracy, working with others, document use, reading text, oral communication and thinking skills have been identified as necessary skills for entry into this occupation.