Occupation · SOC 11-1021
General and Operations Managers
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.
Median wage
$102,950
$47,420–—
Projected growth
+4.4%
Average growth
Annual openings
16,400
per year
Employed (US)
3,584,420
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
4,208 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoringActive ListeningCritical ThinkingCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesTime ManagementPersuasionJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningWritingNegotiationService OrientationSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesLearning StrategiesInstructingMathematicsOperations AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlTroubleshootingTechnology DesignScienceProgrammingRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Administration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingMathematicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentPsychologyCommunications and MediaDesignTransportationBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsSociology and AnthropologyChemistryTelecommunicationsTherapy and CounselingGeographyForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine ArtsPhilosophy and TheologyBiologyMedicine and Dentistry
Technology & tools
ADP Workforce NowAMG Teleran SalesInSyncAct!ActionWareAdobe AcrobatAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe PhotoshopAirtableAmazon Web Services AWS softwareApache HadoopApple Final Cut ProApple KeynoteApple macOSAtlassian ConfluenceAtlassian JIRAAutodesk AutoCADAvidian Technologies ProphetBlackbaud The Raiser's EdgeBlackboard softwareCNC MastercamCalendar and scheduling softwareCitrix cloud computing softwareComputer aided manufacturing CAM softwareCustomer information control system CICSDatabase softwareDatawatch MonarchDeacom ERPDelphi TechnologyDropboxDynamic Energy Systems MedActEkoEvernoteExtensible markup language XMLFacebookFileMaker ProFlipgridFund accounting softwareGeographic information system GIS softwareGoogle AdsGoogle Analytics
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCoaching and Developing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesDeveloping and Building TeamsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersThinking CreativelyStaffing Organizational UnitsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsSelling or Influencing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesHandling and Moving ObjectsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Daily operations rhythm (open / close / shift change) — execute reliably under a senior manager's review.Staff schedules within labor budget — produce for an assigned department on a routine week.Customer service and front-line escalations — handle within department authority.Inventory counts and routine receiving — perform per the operations manual.Routine compliance checks (food safety, OSHA, ADA, opening checklists) — complete accurately and on time.Daily sales and labor reports — produce, review, and discuss in standup with the GM.Standard work procedures — apply consistently and coach hourly staff on adherence.Hourly-staff coaching on routine performance issues — deliver verbal feedback per company policy.Cash-handling and deposit procedures — perform per company controls.Department safety routines and emergency procedures — execute and drill the team on quarterly cycles.
developing
A single department or operating function (front of house, kitchen, sales floor, warehouse) — manage with P&L visibility.Hiring, scheduling, and progressive discipline — execute on a team of 10-25 hourly staff.Department-level budget and cost-control — manage to targets across a month.Mid-tier performance and HR issues — handle with HR partnership.Cross-department coordination (kitchen-FOH, sales-stock, intake-treatment) — manage during a shift.Operational metrics (labor %, food cost, ticket time, NPS) — interpret and translate into team coaching.Customer-experience recovery on serious complaints — handle to satisfaction without manager involvement.Vendor and inbound-receiving relationships — manage for an assigned area.Compliance audits (health, safety, payroll) — prepare for and represent the department in.Newer supervisors on assigned shifts — mentor on standard-work and people fundamentals.
proficient
Entire location or multi-department operation — own P&L, customer experience, and people across the operation.Multi-week labor and inventory planning — execute against forecasted demand.Major customer-experience and quality incidents — own and resolve with executive visibility.Talent pipeline (assistant manager to manager to senior manager) — develop the location's bench.Cross-location best-practices — adopt and adapt from peer locations or area office.Vendor negotiations and significant purchasing decisions — execute within authority.Compliance and audit findings — represent the location in resolution discussions.Senior supervisors and assistant managers — mentor on judgment, finance, and people.Capital projects (remodels, equipment refresh) — plan and execute with the area office.Performance and recognition culture — set and sustain across the operation.
advanced
Multiple locations or a region — direct as area or regional manager with full operational P&L.Manager hiring, calibration, and succession — shape across the region over multi-year horizons.Operating-plan development — produce and execute against multi-quarter targets.Capital allocation and remodel decisions — frame and own across the portfolio.Cross-functional initiatives (technology rollouts, brand refreshes, M&A integration) — lead with corporate partners.Senior crisis-response (PR-relevant customer incidents, regulatory inquiries) — lead through with composure.External relationships (landlords, municipalities, franchisees, community) — represent the brand credibly.Strategic-planning input from the operations perspective — contribute substantively to multi-year plans.Culture, values, and standards across the region — set and sustain through rituals and example.Multi-unit hiring partnerships (universities, second-chance, vocational schools) — own the region's pipeline.
Also known as
74 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Area ManagerBoards and Commissions DirectorBusiness CoordinatorBusiness ManagerCenter ManagerChief Administrative Officer (CAO)Corporate ManagerDepartment ManagerDepartment Store General Manager (Dept Store GM)Department Store Manager (Dept Store Manager)District Commercial SuperintendentDistrict ManagerDistrict Plant SuperintendentDistrict Traffic ChiefDistrict Wire ChiefDivision Toll Wire ChiefDivision Traffic SuperintendentDrilling and Production SuperintendentElectrical SuperintendentEquipment Maintenance SuperintendentField Party ManagerFish and Game Club ManagerGeneral Manager (GM)General SuperintendentGolf and Operations ManagerGolf Course ManagerGym ManagerInstallation SuperintendentIO Manager (Industrial Organization Manager)Laundry SuperintendentLine Construction SuperintendentManufacturing Operations ManagerMine SuperintendentMovie Theater ManagerNewspaper ManagerNonprofit ManagerOffice ManagerOffshoring ManagerOperational Risk ManagerOperations Director