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.

Also called: Business Manager, Center Manager, Department Manager, District Manager, General Manager (GM), Operations Director, Operations General Manager (Operations GM), Operations Manager, Plant Superintendent, Store Manager, Area Manager, Boards and Commissions Director, Business Coordinator, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Corporate Manager, Department Store General Manager (Dept Store GM), Department Store Manager (Dept Store Manager), District Commercial Superintendent, District Plant Superintendent, District Traffic Chief, District Wire Chief, Division Toll Wire Chief, Division Traffic Superintendent, Drilling and Production Superintendent, Electrical Superintendent, Equipment Maintenance Superintendent, Field Party Manager, Fish and Game Club Manager, General Superintendent, Golf and Operations Manager, Golf Course Manager, Gym Manager, Installation Superintendent, IO Manager (Industrial Organization Manager), Laundry Superintendent, Line Construction Superintendent, Manufacturing Operations Manager, Mine Superintendent, Movie Theater Manager, Newspaper Manager, Nonprofit Manager, Office Manager, Offshoring Manager, Operational Risk Manager, Operations Supervisor, Park Superintendent, Parks and Recreation Manager, Print Production Manager, Printing Manager, Prison Warden, Program Director, Program Manager, Public Works Director, Publication Director, Refinery Superintendent, Revenue Director, Revenue Manager, Roads Superintendent, Shelter Director, Shift Supervisor, Shop Superintendent, Site Operations Manager, Solid Waste Manager, Sports Team Manager, Store Director, Street Commissioner, Street Superintendent, Substation Superintendent, Theatre Manager, Training Manager, Venue Manager, Water and Sewer Systems Supervisor, Water Superintendent, Zoo Director

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.
Perform personnel functions, such as selection, training, or evaluation.
Establish or implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, or procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, or staff members.
Monitor suppliers to ensure that they efficiently and effectively provide needed goods or services within budgetary limits.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Coordination
Social Perceptiveness
Management of Personnel Resources
Active Learning
Persuasion
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (28.76% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

72,320–167,280 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 11-1021.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Suggested development: build experience in safety leadership, staff development, budgeting, and continuous improvement before seeking responsibility for a larger department or plant.
Possible next steps include broader operations or multi-site leadership; vacancies, qualifications, and advancement are employer-specific, not guaranteed.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (28.76% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

General and Operations Managers