The most admired companies in the world such as Toyota, FedEx, Southwest Airlines, and Amazon are looked upon as operational giants. These companies are called so because of how they create value in their operations. Operations management has become an important part of manufacturing and supply chain based firms all around the world, as they strive for efficiency.
Operations management is the study of the daily workings of a company from a two sided perspective: human and process based. Through this two-way view, you will be taught to manage an organization's resources such as:
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Plants and Facilities
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Human Capital
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Machinery
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Raw Material
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Processes
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Technology
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And other 'inputs'
The focus on these is to create value in the firm's price, time, variety, and quality.
What is Required When Applying to a MBA in Operations Management Program?
Applying to a MBA program is often considered to be a challenging prospect. For entry into a MBA programs, students will be required to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. You may have to submit to the university the following documents as well:
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GMAT score
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A personal statement detailing why you are choosing the school and the program
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All post-secondary educational qualification transcripts
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A completed application form of the school you are applying to
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A personal statement detailing why you are choosing the school and the program
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Letters of recommendation from previous instructors or managers
Another important factor for many MBA programs is work experience related to the MBA's field of study. The work experience preferred is typically between one to five years depending on the school at which you apply.
What is the Curriculum?
In a MBA program, the core focus of the degree is to develop your professional skills in the field of business administration. You'll have to take a mix or core and elective courses which should address your individual career choices. Some of common core courses are:
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Supply Chain Strategy and Practice
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Operations Management Fundamentals
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Managerial Decision Modeling Revenue
The electives taken may be interdepartmental which could either be taken through the finance, management, law and ethics, and international business programs. Some of common electives students may choose from are:
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Collaborative Product Development
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Operations Planning and Control
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International Practices
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Service Operations Management
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Managing Technology
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Business Law and Ethics
Career Opportunities
With a operations management MBA degree, students could be capable of working in a number of management occupations; however, the one best fitting their skill set could be that of an Operations Manager. An Operations Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the operation of private and public sector organizations. Their duties include:
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Managing day-to-day operations
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Planning material use
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Formulating policies
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Guiding human capital of the firm
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median pay of an Operations Manager was $96,430 as of May 2013. The operations management field may be cutting edge, but it is also very competitive. With hard work, dedication, and the right MBA, you too could join the operations management profession.