Operations Management

Whether on the factory floor or in the supply chain - Operations Management is all about efficient processes in procurement, production and logistics. If you want to understand complex interrelationships, optimise them in a practical way and help shape change, this is the right place for you. At FH Aachen, Prof. Dr Markus Focke, Prof. Dr Tim Höhne and Prof. Dr Matthias Meinecke use real-life case studies, excursions and specialised modules to prepare students specifically for management and specialist careers in a future-oriented occupational field. Graduate Dominik Speen reports on his job as Director Operations Excellence.

What is the occupational field of Operations Management generally about?

Operations management is a central occupational field in business operations that deals with the efficient planning, control and optimisation of business processes. This involves improving work processes in companies in order to increase competitiveness through efficient use of resources and effective fulfilment of customer requirements. Typical areas of activity in industry are purchasing, production and logistics. However, these topics also exist in the service sector and in the skilled trades.

What different areas of activity are there in the occupational fields and what specific tasks are associated with them?

Analytical thinking, a strategic orientation, an interest in permanent process improvement and pragmatic operational implementation are used in various areas of activity; production management, supply chain management, logistics and transport management, project management, quality management and digitalisation. Recently, sustainability has also become increasingly important in operations management.

What does a career start in Operations Management usually look like?

As an entry strategy, it is highly recommended to gain practical experience in companies during your studies (e.g. in an additional practical semester), as you cannot look behind the scenes of an industrial company in everyday life. Typical entry-level positions are project management or assistant to an Executive Director, a trainee programme with rotation through different company divisions or working in a management consultancy.

How can you develop in the occupational field?

Change and further development are part of everyday life in Operations Management. Initially, you typically develop horizontally, i.e. you move between different areas of the company or possibly to a different industry. Due to the many interfaces with other functions in the company, you always maintain a general overview. Additional qualifications in project management, as a Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or APICS certificates are opportunities to document what you have learnt. However, the career often develops vertically over time, i.e. project responsibility becomes line responsibility and the number of employees, the financial budget and the entrepreneurial room for manoeuvre grow until you may eventually be responsible for an entire company as COO, i.e. the Chief Operating Officer. As your career often depends on your achievements being recognised, it is advisable to network, take on special projects and participate in mentoring programmes.

What does the labour market in Operations Management currently look like?

The increasing importance of efficiency and process optimisation and, in particular, the highly dynamic nature of digitalisation are creating high demand in operations management. Experience in data analysis, project and team work and an interest in digital solutions are of great importance. The demand for efficiency improvements is particularly high in times of a weak economy. However, even when the industry is weakening, jobs in operations management can also be found in other booming sectors such as healthcare, e-commerce and the energy industry.

What salary do you usually start with and what developments are possible?

The salary range for career starters is between 45,000 and 60,000 euros gross per year, depending on the company and industry. As there is often the opportunity to take on personnel responsibility early on, the level of responsibility increases further and experienced specialists earn 70,000 to 90,000 euros gross. Managers in operations management with entrepreneurial responsibility for a profit centre regularly earn over 100,000 euros gross.

What qualifications and skills are necessary to be successful in this occupational field?

In addition to technical qualifications, methodological skills such as lean management, process optimisation, data analysis, risk management and agile project management are very helpful - preferably also by mastering specific tools such as Excel, SAP and business intelligence tools. But personal key competences such as analytical thinking, willingness to learn, ability to work in a team, stress resistance and intercultural competence are also very important. In view of the fact that English can play a major role in cooperation with suppliers and customers, it is advisable to gain relevant experience abroad during your studies.

What compulsory foundation modules are there at our faculties in Operations Management?

In addition to the compulsory module "Operations Management", modules such as "Language/Social Skills", "Human Resources and Organisation", "Cost Accounting" or "Introduction to Controlling" and "Information Technology" or "Information Systems" also contribute to a good basic understanding.

Which specialisations can I choose?

The specialisation modules in Operations Management at our faculty are "Logistics Consulting and Operational Excellence", "Supply Chain Management", "Procurement Management and Negotiation" and "Organisational Management".

Are there any modules from other areas that you would also recommend in order to be successful in the occupational fields?

Given the breadth of Operations Management, there are many useful specialisation modules that strengthen cost reduction skills ("Cost Management", "Industry and Functional Controlling", "Purchasing and Sales Law", "Labour Law"), sharpen a holistic understanding of global business ("EU Business", "EU Economics", "International Business") or focus on customer benefits ("E-Commerce", "Industrial Goods Marketing", "Sales Management", "Requirements and Test Management"). Strongly competence-orientated modules ("Leadership and Personality", "Applied Project Management", "IT Project Management", "Management Science") also make you strong for tasks in Operations Management.

Are there any current developments in the occupational field that have an influence on the occupational fields?

All the major trends of our time are influencing occupational fields: digitalisation is broadening access to data and tools in the cloud. Automation is expanding from physical work processes to planning and administrative activities. Artificial intelligence is improving automated learning, forecasting and optimisation. But the design of sustainable manufacturing processes, with CO2 savings, monitoring of supply chains or orchestration of circular material flows also present us with major challenges. At the same time, the world of work is changing due to the shortage of skilled labour, new work concepts and an increasing focus on needs.