Business & Office

How to become an Operations Manager

From supervisor: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

4–7 years

Typical pay

$75k–$105k

Starting from

Supervisor

The steps

1. 1

   Build a track record in the function

   Warehouse, service or production — ops managers come from inside.

   3–5 years

2. 2

   Learn process improvement

   Lean and Six Sigma give you the vocabulary and the toolkit.

   Course that covers thisGet Your Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certificate in 2 HoursUdemy · around $19.99 →
3. 3

   Take a supervisor role

   Own headcount and a budget before you own a department.

   1–2 years

   Course that covers thisPMP Practice Tests 2026: Project Management ProfessionalUdemy · around $19.99 →
4. 4

   Get fluent in the numbers

   Cost per unit, throughput, margin. Ops is judged on the P&L.

   Course that covers thisUltimate Microsoft Excel Bundle from Beginner to AdvancedUdemy · around $19.99 →

Course links are Udemy affiliate links — we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Licences and exams named above are issued by state boards and certifying bodies we have no relationship with; we list them because they are what the job actually requires.