Operations Director - Career guide

The primary mission of an operations director is to ensure the profitability and operational efficiency of their area of responsibility while maintaining compliance with safety and sustainability standards. 

To achieve this, they:

• Manage teams and departments
  They lead and coordinate all teams under their supervision, ensuring that objectives are met and that each department operates efficiently.
  
• Oversee logistics and production operations
  They manage supply chains, resource allocation, and workflow processes to ensure smooth operations and timely delivery.
  
• Set and implement strategy
  They establish performance objectives, make strategic decisions, and ensure that operational plans align with the company’s overall vision.
  
• Supervise financial and HR aspects
  They handle budgets, purchasing, and staffing, ensuring cost control and optimal resource use.
  
• Monitor quality and compliance
  They ensure that products, services, and operations meet established quality standards and legal requirements.
  
• Evaluate and optimise performance
  They analyse results, identify weaknesses, and implement improvements to enhance productivity and profitability.

Ultimately, operations directors play a central role in a company’s success, bridging strategy and execution through leadership, organisation, and innovation.

Operations directors work in organisations of all sizes and across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, transport, agriculture, and construction. Their role and responsibilities can vary significantly depending on the sector:

• Construction: managing projects, supervising production teams, and ensuring quality control on building sites.
• Transport: coordinating logistics and mobility operations, managing fleets, and ensuring efficient delivery networks.
• Agriculture: overseeing farm operations, livestock management, and crop production.
• Hospitality and catering: managing hotel chains, restaurants, or resorts, from commercial strategy to budgeting and service quality.

Within companies, they occupy a high-level position, working closely with executive management, HR, and finance departments to align operational practices with the company’s long-term goals.

The strategic importance of the operations manager in the eyes of employers means that it is generally necessary to have a five-year degree to access this position. Experience in the field is also a major asset (through a work-study program, for example), and proficiency in English is often valued.

• Three-year degree

Several degrees can lead to this position, whether from a business school or an engineering school. The choice of course depends mainly on the industry in which you wish to work.

It is possible to start with a three-year degree: with a professional bachelor’s degree in tourism and hotel management or a bachelor’s degree in human resources & CSR. To become an operations manager in transport, a BTS (advanced vocational training certificate) in transport and logistics services may be an option, while a professional bachelor’s degree in construction will be more suitable for the construction industry.

• Five-year degree

Opting for a Master’s degree or a Master of Science in a work-study program allows you to become more professional and quickly enter the world of work. Several Master’s degrees are available, depending on the sector of activity you are targeting. Some are generalist and cover several industries, such as:

• Master’s in Consulting and Project Management
• Master’s in Law and Fiscal Expertise
• MSc in Finance and Risk Management
• MSc in HR Management and Organisational Transformation*

This position is a natural progression, as the role of operations manager is a real springboard to senior management. The responsibilities are similar, with a more strategic and global vision of the company.

An operations director may choose to change sectors during their career. Thanks to their expertise in management and operations optimization, they can easily apply their know-how to different industries.

With their skills in management, administration and development, operations directors may also choose to start their own business. Their experience encompasses all the skills necessary to succeed in entrepreneurship.