Occupation

General and Operations Managers

Human Advantage 81%

Strongly human-essential role

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
1.7 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

Also Known As: Area Manager, Boards and Commissions Director, Business Coordinator, Business Manager, Center Manager, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Corporate Manager, Department Manager +66 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
  2. Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
  3. Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
  4. Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
  5. Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
  6. Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.
  7. Perform personnel functions, such as selection, training, or evaluation.
  8. Establish or implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, or procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, or staff members.
  9. Monitor suppliers to ensure that they efficiently and effectively provide needed goods or services within budgetary limits.

Supplemental Tasks (8)

  1. Manage the movement of goods into and out of production facilities to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, or sustainability of operations.
  2. Set prices or credit terms for goods or services, based on forecasts of customer demand.
  3. Perform sales floor work, such as greeting or assisting customers, stocking shelves, or taking inventory.
  4. Develop or implement product-marketing strategies, including advertising campaigns or sales promotions.
  5. Direct non-merchandising departments of businesses, such as advertising or purchasing.
  6. Implement or oversee environmental management or sustainability programs addressing issues such as recycling, conservation, or waste management.
  7. Plan store layouts or design displays.
  8. Recommend locations for new facilities, or oversee the remodeling or renovating of current facilities.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
29%
Bachelor's Degree
27%
Some College Courses
22%
Less than a High School Diploma
10%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
6%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
6%
Master's Degree
0%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
0%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

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  • Shell script
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  • Tableau
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  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Yardi software

Software (146)

  • ADP Workforce Now
  • AMG Teleran SalesInSync
  • Act!
  • ActionWare
  • Airtable
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Apple Keynote
  • Avidian Technologies Prophet
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Blackboard software
  • CNC Mastercam
  • Calendar and scheduling software
  • Citrix cloud computing software
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Database software
  • Datawatch Monarch
  • Deacom ERP
  • Delphi Technology
  • Dropbox
  • Dynamic Energy Systems MedAct
  • Eko
  • Evernote
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Flipgrid
  • Fund accounting software
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Google Ads
  • Google Drive
  • Google Slides
  • GroupMe
  • HEAT Software GoldMine
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • Human resources software
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu
  • IBM Domino
  • IBM InfoSphere DataStage
  • IBM Notes
  • IBM Power Systems software
  • InnQuest Software roomMaster
  • Inventory management software
  • Job control language JCL
  • Kronos Workforce Payroll
  • LSA Visual Easy Lean
  • LexisNexis
  • LinkedIn
  • Maximizer Software Maximizer Enterprise
  • McAfee
  • Medical condition coding software
  • MicroStrategy
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Microsoft FrontPage
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Minitab
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Mozilla Thunderbird
  • Nagios
  • NetSuite ERP
  • NetSuite NetCRM
  • NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
  • Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Oracle Eloqua
  • Oracle Fusion Applications
  • Oracle Hyperion
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
  • Oracle Solaris
  • Oracle Taleo
  • Payroll software
  • Personnel scheduling software
  • Point of sale POS software
  • Qlik Tech QlikView
  • Quest Erwin Data Modeler
  • Realization Streamliner
  • SAP Business Objects
  • SAP Crystal Reports
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Sage MAS 500
  • Salesforce.com Salesforce CRM
  • Savant MobileRanger
  • Screencastify
  • SeaMonkey
  • Siemens NX
  • Social media sites
  • Software on Sailboats Desktop Sales Manager
  • StataCorp Stata
  • Sugar CRM
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Tax software
  • Vanguard Software Vanguard Sales Manager
  • Veritas NetBackup
  • YouTube
  • vtiger CRM

Tools & Equipment (18)

  • 10-key calculators
  • Cell phones
  • Computer scanners
  • Credit card processing machines
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Handtrucks
  • Humidity test chambers
  • Laptop computers
  • Magnetic card readers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Photocopying equipment
  • Point of sale POS systems
  • Profilometers
  • Spectrometers
  • Surveillance cameras
  • Vacuum test chambers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Leadership & Operations Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
General and Operations Managers You are here

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Construction

Zone 4
General and Operations Managers You are here

Conservation & Land Management Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
General and Operations Managers You are here

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