Where do Operations Managers come from?

A good one can make a business run like a dream, while a bad one can cost a company millions. Yet, finding skilled operations managers remains a challenge for many businesses.

So where do they come from? Which one are you and what are your strengths and challenges of joining from this route?

By thinking like a recruiter or the C-suite executives choosing their next senior ops manager; you can evaluate your own career options—whether you're starting fresh or looking to step up into an operations management role.

Let’s look at common routes into operations management, the strengths each path offers, and the challenges that you might face coming in from that route.

Interested in my Ops Management Accelerator? Register your interest here

Common Career Paths to Operations Management

1. Promoted from Within – The Top Operator →  Manager

Moving from a hands-on role—such as the best performing engineer, software developer, machine operator, doctor, lawyer, or technical specialist—to an operations manager in the same company.

✅ Strengths: Extensive company knowledge and familiarity with internal processes.
⚠️ Challenges: Often lacking formal operations management training and professional management skills.

2. Graduate Scheme Entry

Joining an operations management trainee program straight from university.

✅ Strengths: Large companies often offer structured graduate programs, exposing candidates to multiple areas of the business and preparing them for long-term leadership roles.
⚠️ Challenges: Demonstrating a genuine interest and commitment to operations management. Can you show what you’ve done to prepare for the role and prove your value to an employer?

3. Project Management Background

Transitioning from project coordinator or project manager to operations leadership.

✅ Strengths: Proven experience managing resources, deadlines, and stakeholders across large projects.
⚠️ Challenges: Operations management is faster-paced and more hands-on than project management. Candidates must adapt to daily operational pressures, manage continuous workflows, and take on direct responsibility for teams and resources.

4. Industry Practitioners – Manufacturing, Logistics, Supply Chain

Transitioning from hands-on industry experience in manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, or similar fields.

✅ Strengths: Deep industry expertise and hands-on experience.
⚠️ Challenges: Must develop professional managerial skills and core business knowledge while proving the aptitude and drive for leadership.

5. Other Management → Operations Management

Moving from another management discipline into operations or expanding an existing role to include operational responsibilities.

✅ Strengths: Proven management experience, leadership skills, and people management abilities.
⚠️ Challenges: Must build credibility within the operations function and quickly learn the technical aspects of operational processes.

So where are you? How can you leverage your strengths in your application and take action to sure up your weaker areas. If you can take proactive action and demonstrate as much to your company, recruiter, or prospective employer,  you could become the whole package!

If you’ve not taken my Operations Management course before, we’re looking to launch a whole new style of program.

It will follow the syllabus of my incredibly popular course but over an intense, structured 4 week period. Everyone will join and start at the same time. Each week you’ll study 2-3 modules, do the assessments and practice quiz and then we’ll finish the week with a live webinar from me.

I’ve not offered the course in this way before so please let me know if you're keen for it.

Register your interest here and get $100 off the launch price

Operations Management is the backbone of every organization—and mastering it is your shortcut to becoming indispensable.

Crack On!

Laurence Gartside
Founder and Instructor @Rowtons Training