Showing posts with label Management Jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Management Jobs. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Volunteer Coordinator Job Description & Career Opportunities

There are many organizations that aim to help other people, especially the needy. Normally, they don’t have sufficient or ample financial assistance to pay for employees to administer the job. Good thing there are people who are willing to provide their talents to help out. And they are what we call volunteers, who, in one way or the other, play their part in achieving the goal.

An equally important role for volunteer organizations is the volunteer coordinator. These are the people responsible for recruiting and managing the volunteers necessary for achieving the goal of the organization.

Their job is very important because they are directly assessing or checking the needs of the organization. And eventually, they help meet those needs with the aid of the volunteers.
Who Are These Volunteer Coordinators?

Most often than not, a volunteer coordinator is someone who already has a full time or stable job. Normally, the position is a part-time job or they do it for free as an act of charity.
Who Are These People They Working For?

Institutions like hospitals, animal shelters, environmental groups, social service
agencies, museums, and others need volunteers to cover all the tasks to be done.
These organizations need a substantial number of volunteers and coordinators to ensure that their time is used efficiently.

Volunteer coordinators recruit new volunteers through free advertising and community outreach. They organize the schedule, the tasks and the availability of the volunteers and the organizations. They are also assigned to interview the applicants and train new volunteers to perform the assigned task to them.
Organizing The Events Of The Group

Trainee Negotiator Job Description & Career Opportunities

A trainee negotiator is basically a sales agent that is under training. Selling properties is not as easy as people think it is and there are processes that need to be followed to be able to have success as a sales person. Being a trainee negotiator is like a training ground so that people can find out all the facts that they need until they become fully ready to become sales agents. Some of the things that a trainee negotiator does is to mail new things that the company might be selling to clients and potential buyers who are looking to invest, answer questions that customers might have, dealing with the buyers after the deal has been struck to make the process as smooth as possible for bother parties involved and to negotiate sales so that people in the company can earn more and possibly show the company what the trainee is worth. There are also business trips in some companies so that the trainee can have an idea of what it is really like to be working as a sales agent and to see if it is what he or she really wants to do in the future.
Training and Education Requirements

As a trainee negotiator, the things that you have to do in the office and what your bosses tell you to do are already a form of training to prepare the trainee for a career in sales. There are plenty of things that a trainee will have to learn and that is something that that takes time. Being a trainee negotiator does not require any more than being a high school graduate because the career is in sales and there is not specific high school subject that deals on sales. Having excellent interpersonal skills are highly recommended though as this skill can greatly help people when it comes to selling things. Pleasing the buyer is a very important part to having success as a seller and knowing what to do is very important to make the buyer or client comfortable throughout the whole time that you spend with them. Reaching the next level is a totally different story though.
Salary and Wages

The one reason why people work hard to have a successful career is to earn money and be able to live a life in this world and not just to survive. As a trainee negotiator, the salary is not as huge as people might think of it to be but if the negotiator is quite a good one, there is an opportunity for an increase. There are also commissions for deals that are successfully done and there are better commissions if the negotiator really provided a lot of help especially in closing the deal. The sales agents can surely help out when it comes to commission deals especially when they see that the negotiator deserves it because of the hard work and dedication that was put to make a sale. Being a trainee negotiator is only the tip of the iceberg and there is a huge room for improvement for people who want to be able to earn more.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Certifications

Certifications for a trainee negotiator are not really common because there are not that many schools or places that teaches on becoming a trainee negotiator. Being a trainee negotiator itself is like studying and learning because the person is doing what he is doing to hopefully someday become a sales agent when the person is ready. Certifications are commonly found on careers that have a licensing exams and becoming a trainee negotiator requires nothing more than being able to communicate with people effectively. Certificates can be given though by companies who have seen excellence in some trainee negotiators but there is no certificate that is given to certify that a person is a trained trainee negotiator because there is no such thing. If a person can make use of those skills especially when it comes to sales, there is a big chance of success for the trainee negotiator to become a sales agent.
Professional Associations

Being a trainee negotiator does not really have professional associations because it is not a professional career yet. The person is just being trained to learn the basics of becoming a sales agent or sales representative and there is no professional exam that is being given for the person to take. There is also no licensing exam that is given and there is no need for a license to become a trainee negotiator unlike in becoming a sales agent. Becoming a sales agent on the other hand is much tougher because of the classes and exams that is needed to become a professional and that is where professional associations can be found. There may be associations for trainee negotiators but it certainly cannot be considered professional because it is not considered a profession unlike other work like engineering, being an accountant and doctors for example.

Strategic Planner Job Description & Career Opportunities

Every industry employs a strategic planner. A strategic planner is responsible for guiding the company through financial obstacles and helping to achieving its goal of continued profitability and growing revenues. Big or small, businesses employ these professionals to provide the company with valuable strategies for current and future growth.

Strategic planning is a vital part of any organization, corporation, or company to effectively reach a long-term goal. Strategic planners are hired to lead the company towards their target successfully by using its own strengths, resources, and manpower.
Duties and Responsibilities

Generally, a strategic planner determines where an organization is heading over the next year or more. He formulates strategies or suggests changes or improvements to current business plans, policies, and procedures. It is his job to formulate feasible recommendations to the management on how to optimize near-term growth.
Strategic planning is the process by which the executive management establishes the long-term direction of an organization. Basic steps include assessing the company’s environment and resources, defining the mission and vision, identifying priorities and objectives, and selecting valuable strategies.

A strategic planner develops business plans that support and introduce solutions for strategic issues that impact the company. He conducts organizational reviews to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Also, he evaluates the operational effectiveness of the entire workforce.

Additional responsibilities include providing support to the president of the company, creating presentations, speeches, and outlines, performing market-analysis and monitoring industry trends and company news. The strategic planner also provides support to identify and asses strategic issues, facilitate strategic discussion, and manage strategic initiatives.
Education and Skills

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in business management, engineering, marketing, finance, or science. Some employers may prefer candidates with 2 to 7 years of experience as a strategic planner as well as those with a master’s degree or an MBA from a leading business school. Those with a proven track record of accomplishments are most likely to be promoted to a senior level. Many of these professionals continue their education by obtaining training related to quality management practices and industry-specific training.

This position does a variety of tasks and frequently works with a team. An aspiring strategic planner should have a strong knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures. He must have good judgment skills, which are needed for planning and accomplishing strategic goals. He should also have excellent analytical, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and a firm grasp of economics, financial analysis, market research and mathematics.
Working Conditions and Salary

Strategic planners work in an office-type setting within regular working hours. Nevertheless, working overtime and on weekends is always expected, especially during critical days. The salary of a strategic planner varies from company to company. It depends on the size of the organization, the amount of work, and location. Education and experience also plays a significant role in determining one’s salary rate. According to surveys and studies, the average annual salary of a strategic planning manager is $114,799. As for the strategic planning analyst, the average salary is $65,185.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Staff Coordinator Job Description & Career Opportunities

The staff coordinator is a vital employee of any business. As a part of the human resources department, the staff coordinator takes part in the hiring process by screening the candidates. He is responsible in providing staff members to any department in a company. This specialist is also in charge of maintaining appropriate staffing for optimal efficiency.

A staff coordinator can have different job titles such as employment, recruitment or placement specialist/recruiter, administrative assistant, administrative coordinator, administrative/office manager, human resource coordinator, and executive assistant.
Duties and Responsibilities

Duties of a staff coordinator generally include creating job descriptions, reviewing resumes, identifying qualified applicants, scheduling interviews, and finding fitting job placements and retaining valuable employees. He recruits candidates for job positions in all departments. It is his job to ensure that all applicants complete the application process correctly.

Other duties include supervision of the payroll process, review of time sheets and payroll reports, and assisting in the collection of pay rates. A staff coordinator should be able to work with different people. He works closely with job applicants, employees, and hiring managers to ensure that all regulations and procedures are accurately implemented and followed. He provides guidance, counseling, career support, and coaching.

A staff coordinator is also in charge of staff management and assures the maintenance of all personnel files.
Education and Skills

Candidates for this position should have a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field. A degree in business administration or communications may also be accepted. Some employers may require work-related experience. A staff coordinator may also consider continuing education in order to stay updated in their field and laws affecting human resources field. This can greatly affect one’s career development as well.

Aspiring staff coordinators must possess exceptional communication skills in both written and oral since they regularly communicate with clients and staffs as well as supervisors. A staff coordinator writes reports to the supervisor and prepares required paper work for the administration.

He must have a broad knowledge of the legal implications related to hiring, retention, and termination. Staff coordinators should have an in-depth understanding of the Equal Employment Opportunity laws, and the company’s employment contracts. He should have the ability to conduct thorough applicant background investigations.

Most importantly, staff coordinators should be able to work under pressure. He must have the ability to work in fast-paced environments and the ability to handle rigorous demands. Staff coordinators should work discreetly with highly confidential information such as salary and employment records.
Work Opportunities and Salary

Various offices, facilities, and businesses hire staff coordinators. They can work in offices, clinics, schools, and others. Staff coordinators are vital to any institution. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in the human resources field in general are expected to rise until 2018 in spite of advancements in technology. The salary of staff coordinators depends on the size of the company, location, and industry. Experience and education may also affect one’s compensation offer. On the other hand, the average compensation of a staff coordinator is about $46,200 annually.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Purchasing Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

The health and growth of any company depends on several internal ingredients that include synchronicity, communication, market position, and product awareness. The ability to identify future trends, as well as forecast social, economic, and political changes are essential skills that impact profit margins. Purchasing managers are the front line specialists that record, track, and keep abreast of any changes that might affect the demand, as well as the supply and the need for products, materials, and information that make a difference in company projections and goals.
Purchasing Manager Job Responsibilities

Purchasing managers have different titles based on the business or industry. Retail companies call their purchasing managers, buyers while wholesale companies may call their purchasing managers, purchasing agents. Whatever title is assigned to the job of purchasing the responsibilities are similar, they study inventory levels, record sales, identify domestic as well as foreign suppliers, and stay focused on market conditions that can alter the supply or the demand for products and materials. Effective purchasing managers help companies meet planned projections.

Government agencies as well as some manufacturing firms use titles like contract specialists, purchasing directors, and purchasing agents to describe employees that buy parts, materials, supplies, machines, services, and other items that affect the production of a product or service within the organization. Some purchasing agents negotiate as well as supervise supply contracts. They are call supply or contract managers. Government contract managers may be responsible for developing a bid system that adheres to strict conditions as well as certain regulations that eliminate any hint of impropriety in official transactions.

Purchasing specialists in the retail and wholesale business are commonly called merchandise managers and buyers. They are an integral part of a complex system of merchandising and distribution that identifies and then satisfies the needs of end consumers. Wholesale buyer’s purchase goods directly from manufacturers or from other wholesale companies and they resell them to retail chains, commercial institutions, and other organizations. Wholesale as well as retail purchasing managers must be able to identify product that will appeal to consumers before the product reaches the stores. They must constantly track consumer trends, and the buying habits of a specific social group. They must be able to balance inventory levels with sales and be able restock stores in a manner that increases sales. Trends can change quickly so competitor and economic changes must be constantly monitored in order to meet quotas and profit goals.

Merchandise managers work with marketing departments to develop ads, and sales promotions and they stay in touch with store personnel through emails as well as store visits in order to adjust store inventory levels and make price adjustments that eliminate slow moving products.

One of the most critical responsibilities of a purchasing manager is evaluating suppliers. Production delays can ruin sales plans and destroy inventory control. Late deliveries as well as poor quality ruin profit margins. Purchasing managers are measured by supplier performance so they must attend trade shows and conferences; search the Internet for new concepts, and subscribe to industry publications that contain pertinent supplier and consumer information.
Purchasing Manager Training and Education Requirements

Most large companies expect applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree in business in order to be considered for an entry level buying position. Retail and wholesale companies prefer to hire applicants with a college degree, but they do hire trainees, purchasing clerks, junior and assistant buyers, and expediters who are familiar with their product or service as well as their wholesale and retail buying practicing. Retail chains tend to promote from within so many operation employees can become part of a buying team by demonstrating their product knowledge as well as their ability to identify consumer needs. Most employees must have at least two to five years of retail experience before they are considered for a buying position.

Some manufacturing and wholesale companies have training programs for employees that focus on company purchasing as well as management responsibilities. Skills like understanding spreadsheet software, word processing, and the ability to analyze technical data are essential. Buyers must be able to communicate, negotiate, and manage in all sorts of business situations.
Purchasing Manager Salary and Wages

Purchasing manufacturing and wholesale managers earn an average of $73,000 a year plus benefits. Purchasing agents in large companies earn $120,000 a year, and entry level buyer positions usually pay around $30,000 depending on the company. Most retail buyers earn around $50,000 plus benefits, but large retail chains pay their buyers well over a $100,000 a year plus lucrative benefits, but they usually work a fifty to sixty hour work week.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Purchasing Manager Certification

Most buying certification is done on the job in manufacturing or wholesale companies, but information about training, employment, education, and certification for a career as a purchasing manager is available through the American Purchasing Society.
Purchasing Manager Professional Association

There are several purchasing associations that offer buyers all sorts of valuable information. The Retail Buyer Association in New York, the Institute of Supply Management; www.ism.ws, and the National Institute of Government Purchasing Inc; www.nipg.org are excellent associations for purchasing agents, buyers, and managers.

Property and Real Estate Management Job Description & Career Opportunities

People who have experience in apartment management can become Property Managers, but they will have a lot more responsibilities than an apartment manager. Apartment managers only manage one apartment building. Property Managers and Real Estate Managers are responsible for managing several different apartment buildings and homes. They are there to ensure that the apartment managers are performing their jobs adequately. They are also responsible for ensuring that the apartment managers are collecting the tenants rent payments on time.

When rent is due at the beginning of the month, the apartment manager collects the rent from the tenants, and then gives it over to the property manager. The property manager then calculates all of the rent, and prepares three day notices for tenants who have not paid their rent. The property manager and the apartment manager collaborate on the upkeep of the apartment building, in regard to maintenance, coordinating with vendors, and move in and move out tasks.
Job Description

The property manager and real estate manager act as ago between for the owners of a property, a mortgage company, and the tenants that live in the apartments and homes. The property manager and real estate manager oversees the operation of a property. They are responsible for ensuring that the apartment units are being shown and leased to potential tenants. They are also there to ensure that the apartment managers are made available to execute maintenance orders, and coordinate with vendors on getting an apartment unit rent ready. The property and real estate manager will do a walk through of an apartment that has just been vacated to find out the damage, and what repairs need to be done. The property manager calculates the tenants security deposit against the damages and repairs that were made in order to make the unit rent worthy again. The property manager also orders painters, carpet cleaners, and house keepers to get an apartment unit rent ready. Once the apartment is rent ready, the property manager performs a walk through to ensure that there are no hidden damages that were not caught in the first inspection.

Once the apartment is rent ready, the property manager puts in the appropriate advertisement for the apartments in order to interest potential tenants to look at the unit. The property manager coordinates with the owners of an apartment building on the rental and security deposit monetary values. The property manager must also be instructed by owners on what they will or will not allow when getting an apartment rent ready in order to save on the budget. The property manager will do a property unit budget analysis to find out what other competitive apartment buildings are charging for their rents, and then establish the rent accordingly. The property manager also performs credit and background checks on potential tenants to find out their credit worthiness to rent an apartment. They are also responsible for evictions and follow up on evictions, which include testifying in a court hearing, and being present for a lock out by the sheriffs office.There are many responsibilities that go with running an apartment building. There are rental agreement and leases that must be signed and dated, move in and move out forms that must be recorded and followed up on through property management software. Inspections of units after a tenant moves out, and a new one moves in. The apartments must be inspected to record the state that the apartment is in before move out, so that it will reflect the same when the person moves out. If anything is different, the property manager must take the extra costs for damages out of the tenants security deposit, and then send the remaining balance to the former tenant with explanations on each charge. The property manager is responsible for the day to day operations of an apartment building, and ensuring that the tenants are satisfied with their apartments and deal with any complaints.
Training and Educational Requirements

In order to become a Property Manager and Real Estate Manager, a person must have a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, real estate, accounting or finance.
Certifications

A property manager must be working for a property management company that is a licensed real estate broker. Property managers do not need any type of certification to become a manager of a property. They only need to have at least five years experience in apartment management, or if they have a bachelors degree in real estate, they will be considered for a position as a property manager. A Real Estate Manager who manages commerce buildings or homes, must have a bachelors degree in business administration or real estate, and then be licensed through the Institute of Real Estate Management.
Salary and Wages

The salary for a Property and Real Estate Manager depends on the property management company a person works for. The pay scale will vary with each company. The median average income of a Real Estate and Property Manager is $84,000 a year.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Professional Associations

    Institute of Real Estate Management
    National Association of Realtors

Promotions Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

As one of the fastest growing careers today, it will never be too late to try you hand at promotions management. Promotions managers are usually a common part of every industry today. They are considered experts when it comes to promoting products that are being launched by a company. They need to understand the dimensions of the plans being presented by the advertising and marketing departments. The job description of promotions managers is related to those who are dealing with product promotions like PR specialists and brand managers. They all aim to increase the sales that are being manifested by each product that represents the company that they are working for.
Duties and Responsibilities Involved

They secure all future sales by combining promotions with an advertising strategy. Some of the most typical promotions would include coupons, samples, reward programs, and giveaways. They even host raffles to entice customers to buy their products. With the kind of duty that a promotions manager has, he or she must be capable of thinking of great ways to advertise, thus they make use of media advertising and spread promotional slogans. It will be catchier if these kinds of campaigns are directed with the use of the internet to disseminate the messages as fast as possible to a bunch of potential customers.

A promotions manager needs to be patient and stay cool even when they are working under pressure because there are a lot of people under him that need to be managed well.
Skills and Education

A natural born critical thinker and problem solver, a promotions manager must be able to create each promotion with carefully analyzed campaign data. Being creative is one of the requirements. He or she must be able to take responsibility of managing a team.

When it comes to educational background, a promotions manager is required to have at least a bachelor’s degree focused on marketing or advertising. He or she must place an emphasis on marketing to better help a company understand the way they could increase the efficiency of sales being targeted. It is advised that candidates have at least a year or two of experience based on the kind of work being pursued. He or she must have an innate desire for marketing and advertising strategies that will better give the company an edge among other competitors.

It is a plus if a promotions manager is knowledgeable about computer programs and software applications. Since we are now living in a high technology world, it will be a good thing to at least have a simple idea about working with computers to give a quality presentation for products intended to be advertised and promoted.
Salary Range

Competition arises when it comes to salary and compensation given by the company to employees holding this kind of position. Annually, a promotions manager could get an average of $65,000 to $85,000 based on the experience of a candidate. Above that, they have other benefits that the company could give to their regular employees, thus giving them enough compensation for the job.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Program Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

Program Manager Job Description

Program managers oversee scheduling, pricing, and technical performance of organizational programs. They may aid with proposal development, contract negotiation and contract compliance. Proposal preparation may include assisting with plans, specifications and financial terms of the contract. They may assist with business development initiatives.

Program managers ensure master plans and schedules are followed, developing solutions to program challenges, and directing others for successful completion of project on time and on budget.
Job Responsibilities

Program manager responsibilities include governance, alignment, assurance, management, integration, optimization, tracking, finances, infrastructure, planning, and improvement.

Program managers routinely provide supervision of a project or multiple projects to achieve a corporate vision. They typically work as the head of a program office leading a team, and perform liaison activities with upper management and stakeholders.

Managers are responsible for governance, which involves working with the over arching structure, processes and procedures to accomplish objectives, which include metrics of success and deliverables. Alignment entails top-down vision, goals and objectives from business strategy flowing through to successful completion of projects for program objectives. Assurance includes checks and balances for compliance with standards and vision alignment. Management involves regular reviews for accountability and successful management of project, stakeholders and suppliers.

Integration of components for best fit of components for program success. Optimization of performance across program platforms to achieve the best functional and technical value. Cost tracking program component costs with overall program administration costs.

Infrastructure, which may include office, version control and IT, entails resource allocation for successful completion of program objectives. Planning entails developing the plan to orchestrate projects, resources, timescales, monitoring and control. Improvement covers ongoing performance assessment, research and development of new capabilities, and systematically applying knowledge for program success.

Market reports indicate that the job outlook for program managers continues is strong and expected to remain strong. The primary employment industry is the aerospace and defense industries, which are not dependent as other occupations as the public economy.

A program manager designation applies to an occupational title as well as describe tasks assigned to other occupations, as is common in the nonprofit sector or the Information Technology sector. Consequently, tasks a program manager may perform may vary but often have common elements.
Training and Education Requirements

It is acceptable to take online or long distance education to meet educational, certification or continuing education requirements. The school should be accredited by standard organizations.

Educational programs, such as those in defense industry hot zones such as in the Nation’s capital region, including Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, may offer program management specific majors. Other educational institutions may offer course specific classes from the business department. On the job training and program or project management certification can leverage a business degree or other degree, depending on the industry a person is preparing to work in.The aerospace and defense industries employ the largest number of professionals (38%). Following at a distance second place is the education, government and nonprofit sector (15%). The software & networking, durable manufacturers, and healthcare industries are also prominent employment sectors.

Program managers are expected to have some formal post-secondary education. Master’s degrees are held by 51% of professionals, and 38% have a Bachelor’s degree.

Eight percent of industry professionals have one year or less of professional experience, while 15% have 1-2 years of experience. Twenty-five percent of people have 5-10 years of industry experience, while 22% have 10-15 years. Thirty-one percent of industry professionals have 15 or more years work experience.
Program Manager Salary and Wages

The salaries and job security for program managers are extraordinarily. The exact amount of compensation depends on a few factors. In general, program managers earn high salaries compared to other occupations. Within the occupation, work experience, education, certification, and employment setting can drive salary and benefits higher or lower up an already generous payout. Because of steep compensation, program managers may receive compensation using a more flexible compensation model, and still find attractive payout. They may be paid on an hourly basis, part time, on a consultant basis, temporary basis, or based on a permanent, standard 40-hour work week due to the fact that they often work part time. Even so, the average salary for dental hygienists is typically quite high.

According to market research studies the current median annual salary for a program manager is $131,000, with salaries lows at $107,967 (10%) to highs of $158,325 (90%).*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/

In addition to their high salary, program managers also report receiving some form of employment benefits, such as paid vacation, sick leave, and health plans. Online benefits calculators can help develop reasonable total compensation expectations based on industry standard compensation terms. Terms may include 401k/403b, disability, health care, pension, time off, bonuses and other benefits.

For the aerospace industry, industry average benefits for a program manager, excluding a bonus, for a salary base of $107,967 with Social Security at $6,051, 401k/403b at $4,211, disability at $1,835, healthcare coverage at $7,418, pension at $5,398 and 32 days off. The average industry benefits for $131,000 salary without bonus is $6,781 Social Security, $6175 for 401k/403b, $2,692 for disability, $7,418 for healthcare, $7,916 for pension, and 32 days off. For those who earn program managers who earn $158,325, the total compensation with benefits is estimated at $208,793.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Certifications

Program managers are not required to become certified; however, the industry practice is to obtain professional certification.

The primary professional association for program managers is the Project Management Institute (PMI) which boasts global members and credential holders that number over half a million in 185 countries. PMI has over 250 chapters in over 70 countries. The PMI publishes a number of journals and hosts numerous certifications, professional development courses, continuing education, conferences and other programs. The PM Network, PMI Today and Project Management Journal are among its publications. The PMI PMBOK Guide has been an industry tome for decades. It provides international project management standards, guidelines, rules and characteristics. The PMI knowledge assessments for program and portfolio management includes the Program Management Knowledge Assessment.

PMI and other industry training providers offer program manager certification. PMI’s Program Management Professional (PgMP)® credential establishes professional competency to oversee multiple, related projects and respective resources to accomplish strategic business goals. The knowledge assessment consists of 100 multiple choice questions measuring critical knowledge of project management. To apply for certification, the minimum education requirement is a four year degree with four years of project or program management experience. Alternatively, a secondary diploma with seven years of program and four years of project management experience are acceptable.

Personnel Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

In every business, a personnel manager is needed to get new people, motivate them to stay for the work, provide training to the workers, socialize with all the workers, attend to what the workers need, and compute the workers’ pay. Being a personnel manager can be challenging since it involves dealing with all the workers of a company. Huge companies, in particular, need the personnel manager to see to it that the standards of the company are met regularly. There is plenty of paperwork for a personnel manager since the candidate takes charge of a worker’s leave and takes care of all the worker’s files.
Mediator Between Labor and Management

It is rewarding for a personnel manager to get the right people for the work, communicate with the workers regularly to see what they need, and also socialize with the management about worker’s issues. Recognizing outstanding performance regularly motivates the workers to do their best.

The personnel manager has the ability to analyze what kind of training certain workers need to improve their performance. Being a personnel manager gives the candidate the advantage to mediate between workers and management. Good communication skills are necessary to be able to relay the message well to the workers and management.
Qualifications

Normally, a personnel manager is at least a university graduate. The candidate needs to have at least five years of human resources experience and managerial qualities. In terms of personality, the personnel manager is patient, attentive to details, organized, can establish good relations with all levels of workers, and perseverant.

Personnel manager candidates must show that they command respect from the workers. The personnel manager demonstrates an authoritative stance to all levels of workers. New policies of the company are disseminated to the workers through the announcements of the personnel manager. Keeping accurate files of the workers is important for future reference.
Recruitment

In huge companies, a personnel manager candidate oversees the recruitment process of a potential worker. The candidate examines the qualifications of each applicant to see whether the person can be a good match for the position. Conducting interviews for the potential worker is necessary to see whether the candidate shows that the requirements for the work can be met. It is important for the personnel manager candidate to get only the qualified new people to generate business profit. There are loads of applications handled daily and end up in a personnel manager’s responsibility. With the interview, the personnel manager can establish an initial impression of whether the potential worker can be given an offer.
Training

Training the workers annually for updated knowledge and skills is vital for business growth and profit. Since the workers form the asset of the company, their team effort and being motivated can boost the business to great heights. The personnel manager sees to it that the workers attend the appropriate training annually. A personnel manager candidate also communicates with other corporate representatives to determine what kind of benefits package suits different kinds of workers. For this work, the value of each worker is known to the personnel manager.

Operations Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

Operations managers organize, plan, and direct the high level workings of corporations and other private or public organizations. The responsibilities and duties include managing day-to-day operations, formulating policies, and implementing the use of physical assets and human resources. These resources are often too general and diverse in nature to be easily categorized into any other specific area of administrative duties. This may include overseeing production, purchasing of capital equipment, hiring personnel, and other administrative services. In smaller companies, the duties of an operations manager may coincide with those of CEOs and other high level corporate officers or managers.

Most operations management positions require or strongly prefer candidates with a degree in operations management or a related field. Jump start your career by requesting free information today from the schools below:

    BA/Operations Management and Analysis by Ashford University
    Bachelor in Business Administration – Operations Management by DeVry University
    MBA – Global Operations and Supply Chain Management by Capella University

Generally, operations managers with many years of experience become candidates to advance to higher corporate positions. There is also a strong requirement for good interpersonal skills and keeping up to date with the latest computer or technology trends.
Operations Manager Job Responsibilities

Operations Managers are responsible for managing other organizational functions that directly contribute the the product or service provided by the company. They may need to work with a team of managers or supervisors who report directly to them in order to facilitate the coordinated efforts of different departments.

Operations Managers must also typically report to executive positions such as CEOs, CIOs, CFOs, and the Board of Directors. In larger organizations, operations managers may report to general managers of various facilities or sub-groups of the company who then report to higher level executives.

To facilitate smooth operations within the company, operations managers may be required to create and/or implement policies and procedures. These policies ensure a smooth flow of operations in order to keep the company maintaining a high quality and quantity of production of the organization’s product or service. Operations managers are chosen for this responsibility because of their direct knowledge of day-to-day activities combined with their understanding of the company’s managerial goals.Operations Manager Training and Education Requirements

Because of the many diverse industries and organizations requiring the employment of operations managers, there is typically not a standard course of preparation for this job. Most operations managers have at least a college degree, however. Experience also plays a significant role in the qualifications for an operations manager.

Many operations managers have a college degree in business administration, management, industrial production, or other similar degrees which lend themselves to a combination of business and operational skills. Many operations managers go on to earn a post graduate degree in a business-related function such as human resources, accounting, manufacturing, or another degree related to the industry they work in. Those who enter the position from college or graduate school may need to undergo exposure in the company’s training program in order to become familiar with the operations and business functions of the company.

More and more, companies place a greater level of importance on interpersonal and communication skills. That’s because the position often requires the operations manager to persuade, negotiate, and compromise. The ability to work well with others must be a skill that’s well rounded. Another skill often needed is the ability to use most standard office computer programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, or databases.
Operations Manager Salary and Wages

Typical salaries for operations managers range between $44,000 and $81,000. Bonuses may be paid based on performance. Those bonuses generally range from $2,000 to $14,000 based on the level of responsibility and the financial status of the company. Profit sharing may be another component where operations managers earn additional income. The salary tends to increase with the number of years of experience, and operations managers tend to have a wide range of experience levels. However, slightly more operations managers have an experience level in the 10 to 19-year range. Most positions include a significant benefits package that may include medical, dental, retirement plan, and other top-level benefits.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Operations Manager Certifications

There is no one single certification for operations managers. However, there are a few certifications that can significantly catch the eye of most employers. One of these is a certification of Project Management Professional (PMP) offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Another certification is called CPIM or Certified in Production and Inventory Management. Yet one more common designation is CSCP or Certified Supply Chain Professional. CPIM and CSCP are commonly found in companies providing industrial production or distribution. Other certifications may include post professional training in various people or computer skills. Those organizations in technology sectors may require operations managers to engage in ongoing training to keep abreast of the latest technological developments in their industry.
Operations Manager Professional Associations

The primary association is known as The Association for Operations Management. The term APICS is used by the organization and it stands for Advanced Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success. With more than a 25-year history, APICS has taken a front role in operations management with now more than 70,000 members worldwide. APICS offers training and networking opportunities for those in both operations and supply chain management. In addition to conferences, APICS provides online training in order to suit the needs of most busy operations managers. Additionally, APICS is the organization that provides training and certification for the CPIM and CSCP designations mentioned in the section above.

Office Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

Office Managers are sometimes known by other titles, such as administrative services manager, office coordinator, office assistant, or administrative support manager. As the position of office manager is not exclusive to a certain industry and is a very common role in businesses of many types, it is a very stable field. There are a variety of career paths that can lead to promotion into the office manager position, such as administrative assistant, secretary, or office assistant. Common promotions for office manager include executive assistant/executive support or human resources positions.
Office Manager Job Responsibilities

An office manager makes sure that all functions of an office are being coordinated and that office needs are being fulfilled. This role differs varies based on the size of the company but may include coordinating office moves (including internal changes), hiring and training office support staff, and alerting management to potential issues. The office manager also typically acts as the lead resource for administrative and secretarial support, and may also train personnel in these roles. In smaller companies the office assistant may also serve as backup to these roles during vacation or other time off, so knowing how to do perform the tasks involved in these roles may be essential.

An office manager may also be in charge of administrative tasks such as photocopying and creating binders or materials, faxing, coordinating meetings, mailing packages, ordering office supplies, maintaining the company’s filing system, and more. Personality traits for an office manager include excellent communication skills, leadership abilities, organizational skills, an ability to resolve problems, and a pleasant, resourceful demeanor that gets along well with a wide variety of personalities. The office manager typically works with many if not all departments of a company and may have to resolve problems for all of these departments, assisting employees from a wide variety of roles.
Office Manager Training and Education Requirements

Typical training for this position involves holding positions such as secretary, administrative assistant, or office assistant. Knowledge of the company’s industry and internal work flow, processes, and paperwork are also typically considered important to the role. A good familiarity with common computer office applications (such as Microsoft Office Suite) and other common software (use of the internet, browsers, email) and basic office equipment (multi-line phone, photocopier, fax, postage machine) is highly advisable.

Though most skills can be learned on the job and a high school diploma may be suitable to obtain an office manager position (particularly when obtained via promotion within the same company), an associate’s degree may be preferred by some companies and an associate’s or bachelor’s degree may be necessary for promotions beyond this position. Industries of a more technical nature may require advanced degrees for office managers, depending upon the specific duties of the position. Degree types that may be helpful include management, construction, business administration, accounting, or human resources.Office Manager Salary and Wages

The current typical hourly rate for an office manager is $24.04, with an average annual wage of $49,990. As of May 2009, the top 10% of the profession earned $76,100 whereas the bottom 10% clocked in at $28,400. Some of the top wage-earners can be found in the postal service, computer manufacturing, aerospace, and energy fields. Advancement potential is increased in larger companies with a larger administrative/executive staff, where there is a larger number of suitable positions. Common industries with large administrative staffs include health care, government (federal or local), education, and financial services. Even when companies downsize, this position is typically considered necessary and enjoys relative stability and even growth; office manager positions are expected to grow at a rate of 11% between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2008, the field included about 259,400 jobs within the United States.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Office Manager Certifications

Certifications which may give an edge to prospective office managers are offered by the IFMA, or International Facility Management Association. Two such certifications include FMP (Facility Management Professional) or CFM (Certified Facility Manager). To obtain these certifications, applicants are required to have had some form of post secondary education within the past five years.

Some community colleges or technical schools offer office manager certificates, which typically take 60 hours of instruction to earn, and include business etiquette and communication/writing, planning, and computer/administrative skills. There may be some prerequisites for the class, such as basic computer skills, including word processing skills and the ability to create a basic spreadsheet.
Office Manager Professional Associations

In addition to providing certifications, the IFMA is a worldwide association of facility managers which provides resources and publications to office managers and related professions. There are branches throughout the world or interested parties may also join online.

APOM, the Association of Professional Office Managers, is an organization devoted to promoting excellence in office management. Member services include software, directories, training/certification, job postings, coupons/discounts, a members’ magazine, and other resources. Membership is free for charitable organizations.

Medical and Health Services Managers Job Description & Career Opportunities

Technology and and innovations in the medical field are constantly changing, and those who work in the medical field are required to keep up with the ever-changing pace of this field. Medical and health services managers play an important role in the development and upkeep of the health care industry. They are in charge of budgeting, scheduling, updating technology and working with doctors and patients to keep the health care industry in shape. Medical and health services managers also work long hours, often staying on-call in case of an emergency. Many work in hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, or other environments. Just like any other business, the health care industry needs managers to keep things running smoothly, and this is exactly what these individuals do in their day-to-day job responsibilities.
Medical and Health Services Managers Job Duties

The job duties of a medical or health care manager may vary greatly, depending on the kind of work environment and the size of the facility. In smaller facilities, there may be only one or two top managers who do everything, including budgeting, working with patients, admissions, and paperwork. In larger facilities, such as hospitals or large nursing facilities, there are many different administrators. Often, the responsibilities are divided into departments, and each department has its own managers with different duties. These department managers have more specific duties related only to their department, whereas in smaller facilities, a small group of managers is responsible for all operating needs.

Since health care professionals work around the clock, often medical and health services managers also work long hours. Often, these individuals are on call in case of an emergency. For this reason, it is necessary to have the physical and mental stamina to work long hours in order to be a successful medical or health services manager. In addition to working long hours, it is also necessary to pay close attention to detail. The health care industry is constantly changing and transforming with new technology and with new ideas about health problems and solutions. Medical and health services managers are responsible for making sure that all procedures are followed correctly and that all state and national regulations are being met in their facilities. Also, medical and health services managers must often stand for long periods of time, so this is an important physical quality to consider when thinking about a career in this field.
Medical and Health Services Managers Training and Education Requirements

As would be expected, there are certain educational requirements that must be met in order to become a medical or health services manager. Most of the time, a master’s degree is required for these positions. A good knowledge of business administration as well as knowledge of health care and medicine is also necessary. For entry-level positions, sometimes a bachelor’s degree will suffice. Rarely, on-the-job training will substitute for formal education. In order to become a top manager, it will be necessary to have a master’s degree in health services administration, public health, health services, or business administration. Most students attend school for a liberal arts degree in health care before attending a graduate program. Most graduate programs last two to three years, and will include courses on business and medical ethics, law, finance, information systems, and planning methods. In addition, all prospective medical and health services managers must obtain a license from their state of residence, as well as attend continuing education programs to stay up-to-date with the latest medical innovations and technologies.Medical and Health Services Managers Certifications

Aside from formal education, some states require a license to practice as a health care manager or administrator. The American Health Information Management Association offers coursework required in order to be certified as a Registered Health Information Administrator, a certification required by some states in order to practice. Also, many positions will pay more for individuals with these certifications and experience in the field of health care.
Medical and Health Services Managers Professional Associations

The American Health Information Management Association has a lot of information for those interested in working in this field. This association has the tools and information available for certification as a Registered Health Information Administrator, which will be beneficial in the job hunt.
Medical and Health Services Salary and Wages

Earnings for medical and health services managers range widely depending on the size of the facility and the type of facility. Salaries range anywhere from $71,000 a year to $87,000 a year, with smaller nursing homes and other medical facilities generally paying the least. Most large general hospitals and surgical hospitals tend to pay more, closer to the $87,000 a year mark. However, pay will depend on a number of factors, including education, experience, and size of the facility. Salaries typically increase within a few years, after you have some experience as a medical administrator. There are also many opportunities for advancement, especially if you start out at a smaller facility. Many medical and health services managers move from being departmental managers to managers of an entire hospital, and with increased responsibility comes an increase in salary.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Medical and Health Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

One criticism that’s often levied against the U.S. healthcare system is that even within a single facility, care is given in such a piecemeal fashion that frequently two doctors, working with the same patient, won’t know what interventions their colleague is recommending. It is the medical and health manager’s job to coordinate that care – among other duties.
Medical and Health Manager Job Description

Medical and health managers, sometimes called healthcare administrators or healthcare executives, are charged with planning, coordinating and supervising the delivery of healthcare at a number of different levels that range from a clinical department within a hospital to an entire governmental agency.

While there is no official distinction between the two terms, a “medical manager” may be thought of as someone who works in a clinical setting, while a “health manager” may be thought of as someone who works outside a healthcare facility.
Medical and Health Manager Job Responsibilities

The U.S. healthcare is huge and diverse. Job responsibilities for medical and health managers will vary depending on which part of the healthcare system they are working within.

Health Agency Administrators: At the agency level, the health manager may be responsible for planning healthcare services for broad segments of the population, including the means by which services can be financed; for evaluating new technologies; for implementing regulations and assessing their impact; and for preparing reports for other governmental entities including the legislature, as well as specifically recommending courses of action.

Assistant Medical Managers: Assistant medical manager report to the top medical manager whom they aid in a healthcare facility’s daily operations. Often an assistant medical manager will be delegated oversight over a particular department or operation within a healthcare facility.

Medical Manager of a Small Facility: Medical managers of small facilities may have fewer assistants to delegate work to, and therefore generally work in a more hands-on fashion managing daily operations, personnel, and finances.

Clinical Managers: Clinical managers are often healthcare providers like physicians or nurses who have elected to take on administrative responsibilities. Because they are experienced in the delivery of healthcare, they often oversee specific departments within a healthcare facility, planning and implementing policies, procedures and objectives; hiring and evaluating personnel; developing reports and budgets; and implementing ways to work effectively with other healthcare facility departments.

Health Information Managers: Health information managers are responsible for the accuracy, completeness, maintenance and security of the electronic database in which all patient records are kept. Recently enacted Federal legislation mandates that all paper medical records be converted into electronic records within ten years; the health information manager is responsible for seeing this is done.
Group Medical Practice Managers: The manager of a group medical practice may be responsible for planning business strategy and advising on business decisions, as well as overseeing daily operations that include hiring and supervising ancillary personnel, budget preparation, and billing and collecting.
Medical and Health Manager Training and Education Requirements

Medical and health managers are almost always graduates of four year programs; most possess graduate degrees as well. The standard educational background for these professionals is a master’s degree in either health sciences, public health, public administration, or business administration. As of 2008, 72 colleges and universities across the nation had accredited programs leading to a master’s degree in health services administration, according to the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.

Coursework will include classes in health economics, health information systems, biostatistics, epidemiology, marketing, strategic planning, law, ethics and hospital administration.

At a minimum, clinical department managers will possess licensure or credentialing in their chosen clinical specialty and commensurate work experience. Increasingly candidates for these jobs are pursuing master’s degrees in health administration as well.

Health information managers will be graduates of accredited bachelors or masters degree programs in health information management. As of 2008, 48 colleges and universities across the nation offered bachelors degrees in health information management, while five offered masters degrees.
Medical and Health Manager Salary and Wages

Medical and health managers’ earnings vary according to the type and size of the facility, business or agency they’re overseeing, their level of responsibility, and the geographic location of the facility, business or agency. Medical and health managers who work in private industry tend to earn more than medical and health managers who work in healthcare facilities. Medical and health managers who work in the pharmaceutical industry earn the highest amount with mean hourly earnings of $72.05 and yearly gross salaries of $156,050; medical and health managers who work in nursing care facilities make the least with mean hourly earnings of $37.29 and yearly gross salaries of $77,560.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Medical and Health Manager Certifications

Certification is not a standard requirement for anyone working in this field, but the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) does offer five levels of certification in the management of patient billing and accounts receivable: Certified Patient Account Manager (CPAM), Certified Clinical Account Manager (CCAM), Certified Patient Account Technician (CPAT), Certified Clinical Account Technician (CCAT), Certified Compliance Technician (CCT).
Medical and Health Manager Professional Associations

There are numerous professional associations for medical and health managers, including the American Public Health Association (APHA) at both the national and local levels, the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM), the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the Professional Resources chapters of the American Medical Association, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), and the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics (ASLME).

Materials Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

Materials managers are responsible for a wide variety of different job duties and responsibilities that may include supervising the activities of subordinate workers, planning and administering a department budget, planning and scheduling tasks over both short and long term time periods. Other job duties may include determining and administering policies and procedures that are related to shipping and receiving as well as the storage of different kinds of materials, supplies and equipment. A materials manager may also act as a liaison in addition to preparing and maintaining different merchandising and financial reports and records. They may also recommend important material and equipment purchases.
Materials Manager Job Responsibilities

The goal of a materials manager is often to obtain the best deal possible for their organization or company by purchasing the highest quality equipment and products at the lowest possible prices. This is accomplished by studying historical sales records as well as inventory stocks. A materials manager takes into consideration the quality, price, reliability, technical support and availability when choosing merchandise and suppliers. In order to be successful a materials manager must have a solid working knowledge of the services and goods that will be purchased.

A materials manager will typically work in an office. It is not uncommon for a materials manager to work in excess of the standard 40 hour work week due to the need to meet deadlines. Weekend and evening work may also be common. Travel is occasionally necessary. This is particularly common when the manager is employed by a company that is internationally based or has multiple branches across several regions.

One of the most important elements involved in materials management is ensuring that materials and parts utilized in the supply chain meet the minimum requirements for quality assurance standards. Many of the issues related to the daily work involved with materials management deals with quality assurance issues. Materials and parts must often be tested, prior to the placement of purchase orders as well as during use.

Materials managers may specialize within a certain field such as in the medical and health industry.

The employment outlook for this occupation is expected to be good throughout the year 2018, with this field growing at a rate that is about as fast as that for other occupations.
Materials Manager Training and Education Requirements

A materials manager may start out as a trainee or assistant manager. Most employers tend to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree and who are also familiar with the materials they will be responsible for handling. It is not unusual for certification or continuing education to be required for advancement. Precise educational requirements often vary according to the size of the employer or the organization.

Large employers and organizations often prefer candidates who have completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, particularly a degree with an emphasis on business. Manufacturing companies usually place an even stronger emphasis on candidates having formal training and often prefer candidates who have either a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in business, engineering or economics. In order to advance, a master’s degree is often required.Even with education, a new employee will usually need to learn the specifics of their particular employer’s business procedures. The time period for training can vary, but most tend to last from one to five years. In a manufacturing facility, the candidate may often work with an experienced manager in order to learn about suppliers, prices, markets, etc. An assignment to the production planning department is common in order for candidates to learn more about materials requirements.

A materials manager will also need to have an understanding of how to utilize different types of software as well as the Internet. Other qualities that are important to this career include good communication, math and negotiation skills, the ability to analyze financial and technical data and a solid understanding of supply chain management.

Individuals who are interested in entering this career field should be good at decision making and planning. Employers typically look for leadership abilities, particularly when the manager must supervise several subordinate employees, such as assistant managers and junior purchasing clerks.
Materials Manager Salary and Wages

In 2008 the median yearly wages for managers in this industry were around $89,000. Salary and wages can be highly dependent upon employer, geographic region and experience. Benefit packages are usually included as an employment perk.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Materials Manager Certifications

Continuing education can be crucial for advancement within this field. Many materials managers will take seminars that are provided by professional organizations as well as college courses offered in supply and materials management. In addition, professional certification has become increasingly necessary in this career field, particularly for those who have just entered the field and who are looking to advance.

The Certified Supply Chain Professional credential is offered by the Association for Operations Management.

Depending upon the manager’s precise job duties it may be necessary for the employee to become certified for handling hazardous materials.
Materials Manager Professional Associations

Professional associations for materials managers include the North American Hazardous Materials Association and the Association for Healthcare Resource and Materials Management.

Management Consultant Job Description & Career Opportunities

When companies are faced with a problem they simply can’t resolve, or when they lack the expertise required to chart their own path, they often call upon the expertise afforded by working with a management consultant. Companies face a myriad of problems and issues that are as vast and as complicated as the business functions they use every day. It could be issues pertaining to operations, manufacturing, inventory & supply chain management, sales & marketing, engineering & design, logistics & procurement as well as finance and accounting. In some cases, the problems are systematic and involve the company’s entire business approach. In fact, management consultants are often relied upon for reviving the fortunes of companies and saving them from insolvency.

Companies often need expertise that go beyond their own scope of abilities. They may simply lack the core competencies to confront the issues and find a resolution. So, given the scope of their input, what are the responsibilities of a management consultant and how does someone go about becoming a management consultant?
Management Consultant Job Responsibilities

A management consultant may be called upon to work with a company and improve their manufacturing production throughput. This would involve working directly in production, lowering manufacturing cycle times and improving processes so as to improve production capacity. In other instances they may be called upon to streamline operations, reduce redundant work procedures and improve customer service. Management consultants are often called upon to help a company improve its market share and grow sales. Still others are asked to reduce inventory costs and better manage supply chains. In almost every case, a management consultant’s responsibilities include addressing a specific need and providing measurable and quantitative results.

Typically, consultants are given benchmarks or objectives to attain in order to measure the success of a given initiative. They must come to the table with proven methods of cost reduction and problem resolution. In some instances, they report only to the president or owner of the company and have decision making abilities over the entire company’s management team.
Management Consultant Training and Education Requirements

So, what does it take to become a management consultant and what training and education is required? In almost every instance, a successful management consultant comes to the table with years of experience in their given field of expertise. They often attain a bachelor’s degree in business administration, followed by years of field experience and then improve upon their experience with a master’s degree. Because management consultants are called upon to resolve specific problems, they often become specialists in their given field of expertise. However, this doesn’t mean a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in a specific field can’t secure a management consultant position. It’s quite common for graduates to immediately secure a position with a reputable firm, provided they have the aptitude and abilities to handle the position. However, as a general rule most rely upon their education and several years of field experience before venturing into consulting.Management Consultant Salary and Wages

An argument can easily be made that the skies the limit in terms of salary for management consultants. Compensation packages for consultants employed by firms include base salaries, commission and bonus structures, profit sharing and in some cases per-diem for on site work at customer accounts. Several industry resources peg first year consultant salaries between $65,000.00 to $75,000.00 annually. Experienced consultants easily earn between $100,000.00 and $150,000.00 annually. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009 the top 75% of management consultants earned $48.75 an hour or $101,410.00 annually. The top 90% earned $64.82 an hour or $134,820.00 annually.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/

Some firms have compensation based on a team’s ability to save the customer money or their ability to achieve agreed upon results. The better the team’s results, the higher their compensation. For management consultants that are self-employed, they alone determine their own compensation and are able to determine their individual hourly rate.
Management Consultants Certifications

There is no set certification to become a management consultant. Successful consultants rely upon their years of experience, education and past results. In some cases, they may hone their skills by pursuing a certification as a Master Management Consultant. This certification is offered by a number of business schools and covers a wide range of business topics. In order to constantly be on top of their game, consultants must continually improve their skill set. There are a number of consultant training programs available to not only improve their abilities, but also help put them at the front of new approaches.
Management Consultant Professional Associations

Typically, consultants will join professional associations that are relevant to their experience. A consultant working in supply chain management and manufacturing will often be a member of APICS (American Productivity and Inventory Control Society). In other instances, consultants can join the Institute of Management Consultants, the Professional Management Consultants Association or their firms may join the Association of Management Consultant Firms. These associations allow members to upgrade their skill set and improve upon their knowledge with training courses and programs. While there is no single association, there are a vast number of individual associations available to address a consultant’s personal and professional development.

Inventory Specialist Job Description & Career Opportunities

Industrial production has come a long way since the first industrial production manager, Henry Ford, set up an assembly line for the Model T. Over the last century industry has evolved into operations Mr. Ford would be unable to identify. Gone are conveyor belts with workers adding an element to a widget as it passed by their work stations. Often employees never saw the finished product they helped to build.

Twenty-first century manufacturing is lean manufacturing. The basis of this line of attack is to find and implement efficiencies at every level. Lean manufacturing attempts to use fewer resources to produce products. In order to be successful, the lean environment must use cutting edge technologies and recruit the finest professionals in the field. Manufacturing in a lean environment eliminates waste and streamlines processes. The company’s capital assets and employees are all employed to increase profitability.

Industrial production managers are responsible for the supervision, scheduling and processes of all the activities it requires to make the company’s goods. An industrial production manager meets production quotas, and he or she meets the schedule.

He or she raises issues of quality or safety with the appropriate division or line manager. The industrial production manager helps to discover and implement new technologies and processes. He or she is proactive in preventing problems that slow production. When manufacturing hits a snag he assists in finding and implementing the solution.

Computer skills are vital to the industrial production manager. Interpersonal skills are also required. The manager must be able to compromise, negotiate, influence and collaborate with distinct personalities every day.

Industrial production managers thrive on challenges. They must find new approaches for reducing waste while keeping inventories low and meeting tight delivery schedules. Today’s manufacturing environment is highly competitive.
Job Responsibilities

The size of the manufacturing facility determines the magnitude of the industrial production manager’s responsibilities. He or she may be accountable for the entire process, from raw material to finished product. Larger facilities may divide the manufacturing floor into zones or areas and have several production managers. The men and women who choose careers in production are problem solvers. They are creative thinkers with excellent oral, and written communications skills. They also know that strong computer skills are indispensable.

Industrial production managers spend as much time working on the production floor as they do in their offices. They may be assigned to provide information to engineering, purchasing, sales or finance.
A career as an industrial production manager is fast paced and diverse. Often the job is stressful. Industrial production managers may be expected to be available at any time in an emergency. In many ways the industrial production manager has his finger on the pulse of the company.
Training and Education Requirements

The field of American manufacturing is so broad that training as an industrial production manager is provided by the individual’s employer. A college degree in engineering or business administration is helpful, but experience in manufacturing is essential. Industrial production managers Industrial production managers usually work their way up through company ranks. They have demonstrated leadership skills in various positions. They take advantage of educational opportunities offered by the company. Depending on the manufacturer, recent college graduates may be hired and placed in the company’s training program.

Production techniques are extremely complex, today, and new equipment and techniques will continue complicating factors. Larger companies prefer to hire employees with graduate degrees in engineering, industrial management or business administration. Academic courses in mathematics, computer technology, or the behavioral sciences may be valuable for promotion.
Industrial Production Manager’s Salary and Wages

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics average annual salaries for industrial product managers were $83,290 in 2008. The lowest ten percent earned less than $50,330 and highest ten percent earned over $140,530 per year. Salary ranges are based on the industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a moderate decline in employment in manufacturing employment until at least 2018 due to continued business automation.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Certifications

Professional certifications are not required to become an industrial production manager. Some certifications may be useful in obtaining a position as an industrial production manager. Among the valuable credentials is the CPIM, Certified in Production and Inventory Management. The CPIM is earned by passing several tests that prove proficiency in several different quality and management systems.

The American Society for Quality awards a Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence to managers with at least ten years of experience in decision-making positions. The award also requires testing. Education in decision sciences may be substituted for manufacturing experience in some cases.
Professional Associations

Professional development opportunities are available through organizations such as The American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). APICS works in tandem The American Management Association, The American Society of Transportation and Logistics, The Association for Manufacturing Excellence, The Supply-Chain Council and The Institute of Operations Management.

Industrial Production Management Job Description & Career Opportunities

Industrial production has come a long way since the first industrial production manager, Henry Ford, set up an assembly line for the Model T. Over the last century industry has evolved into operations Mr. Ford would be unable to identify. Gone are conveyor belts with workers adding an element to a widget as it passed by their work stations. Often employees never saw the finished product they helped to build.

Twenty-first century manufacturing is lean manufacturing. The basis of this line of attack is to find and implement efficiencies at every level. Lean manufacturing attempts to use fewer resources to produce products. In order to be successful, the lean environment must use cutting edge technologies and recruit the finest professionals in the field. Manufacturing in a lean environment eliminates waste and streamlines processes. The company’s capital assets and employees are all employed to increase profitability.

Industrial production managers are responsible for the supervision, scheduling and processes of all the activities it requires to make the company’s goods. An industrial production manager meets production quotas, and he or she meets the schedule.

He or she raises issues of quality or safety with the appropriate division or line manager. The industrial production manager helps to discover and implement new technologies and processes. He or she is proactive in preventing problems that slow production. When manufacturing hits a snag he assists in finding and implementing the solution.

Computer skills are vital to the industrial production manager. Interpersonal skills are also required. The manager must be able to compromise, negotiate, influence and collaborate with distinct personalities every day.

Industrial production managers thrive on challenges. They must find new approaches for reducing waste while keeping inventories low and meeting tight delivery schedules. Today’s manufacturing environment is highly competitive.
Job Responsibilities

The size of the manufacturing facility determines the magnitude of the industrial production manager’s responsibilities. He or she may be accountable for the entire process, from raw material to finished product. Larger facilities may divide the manufacturing floor into zones or areas and have several production managers. The men and women who choose careers in production are problem solvers. They are creative thinkers with excellent oral, and written communications skills. They also know that strong computer skills are indispensable.

Industrial production managers spend as much time working on the production floor as they do in their offices. They may be assigned to provide information to engineering, purchasing, sales or finance.A career as an industrial production manager is fast paced and diverse. Often the job is stressful. Industrial production managers may be expected to be available at any time in an emergency. In many ways the industrial production manager has his finger on the pulse of the company.
Training and Education Requirements

The field of American manufacturing is so broad that training as an industrial production manager is provided by the individual’s employer. A college degree in engineering or business administration is helpful, but experience in manufacturing is essential. Industrial production managers Industrial production managers usually work their way up through company ranks. They have demonstrated leadership skills in various positions. They take advantage of educational opportunities offered by the company. Depending on the manufacturer, recent college graduates may be hired and placed in the company’s training program.

Production techniques are extremely complex, today, and new equipment and techniques will continue complicating factors. Larger companies prefer to hire employees with graduate degrees in engineering, industrial management or business administration. Academic courses in mathematics, computer technology, or the behavioral sciences may be valuable for promotion.
Industrial Production Manager’s Salary and Wages

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics average annual salaries for industrial product managers were $83,290 in 2008. The lowest ten percent earned less than $50,330 and highest ten percent earned over $140,530 per year. Salary ranges are based on the industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a moderate decline in employment in manufacturing employment until at least 2018 due to continued business automation.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Certifications

Professional certifications are not required to become an industrial production manager. Some certifications may be useful in obtaining a position as an industrial production manager. Among the valuable credentials is the CPIM, Certified in Production and Inventory Management. The CPIM is earned by passing several tests that prove proficiency in several different quality and management systems.

The American Society for Quality awards a Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence to managers with at least ten years of experience in decision-making positions. The award also requires testing. Education in decision sciences may be substituted for manufacturing experience in some cases.
Professional Associations

Professional development opportunities are available through organizations such as The American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). APICS works in tandem The American Management Association, The American Society of Transportation and Logistics, The Association for Manufacturing Excellence, The Supply-Chain Council and The Institute of Operations Management.

General Manager Job Description & Career Opportunities

Most public and private organizations need General Managers. They are generally strong leaders who can manage and direct the overall operation. The qualities of a successful General Manager include vision, creativity, commitment, leadership, and creativity. They must be a big picture type of individual.

General Managers need to completely understand the corporate plan and then be able to set goals for each department to insure that the plans goals are met. They need to clearly communicate these goals to the department heads and initiate tools to measure the success of each department.
General Manager Job Responsibilities

To accomplish the overall corporate plan General Managers must be able to direct their support staff to achieve their goals. Their various departments need to be organized so all employees know what their roles are and what goals they need to achieve. They must have excellent communication skills and be open to delegating responsibility. Part of the communication process includes generating clear concise reports to the senior management of the company.

Strong leadership skills and the ability to make difficult decisions is a necessity for a General Manager. In addition to the day-to-day management roles, a General Manager is required to select and hire qualified personnel as department heads.
General Manager Training and Education Requirements

General Manager’s education requirements are very dependent on the type of business they work in. The norm requires General Managers to have a minimum four-year college degree in business, while technical firms often require their General Managers to have engineering or science degrees.

Department heads within the organization take many General Manager Positions. On occasion, a department head can work their way up the corporate ladder without a college degree but most corporations want candidates that have had course work in finance, accounting, industrial relations, and business. Some even look for candidates that have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA).

Most corporations offer training programs for their executives. Part of these programs requires the candidate to take assigned jobs in various departments to gain experience necessary and ultimately manage the overall company. A successful General Manager will normally have had success as a department manager in the past.

Managers are required to stay abreast of the latest developments in their industry. This requirement can be satisfied through participation in seminars and conferences sponsored by local and national trade and industry associations.Many General Managers are promoted to higher executive positions and some have taken CEO or COO positions within their organizations.
General Manager Salary and Wages

General Manager’s salary varies by industry, education, as well as location. Most General Managers can expect a base salary and some type of bonus based on overall corporate performance. In 2010, the highest paid General Managers were in manufacturing and distribution and earned a salary of $78,365. The bottom 10% was in hotel and hospitality management and earned $44,011. The average salary for a General Manager with a bachelor’s degree was $65,693 while those with a master’s degree earned in excess of $100,000.*

*According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
General Manager Certifications

General Managers normally are not required to possess a certificate; however, some industries may require a license. For example, if the corporation requires the General Manager to be an engineer or lawyer, then a license is required.

Many available certificate programs would help a General Manager do their job. These programs generally emphasize techniques and skills that the manager can use on the job. They are offered through local universities, colleges, and often times through professional organizations. Although certificates are not required, completing these programs will help individual’s professional growth.
General Manager Professional Associations

General Managers that want to maintain their edge in their industry join professional associations. Professional associations help enhance manager’s professional development and offer excellent networking opportunities.

Most professional associations offer conferences and timely industry information on their websites and through association newsletters. Employers favor individuals who are affiliated with professional associations and have gained their knowledge through means other than college coursework. Association memberships can help open doors in the job market and can help with manager’s professional development.

There are professional associations for virtually every industry. Some are listed below:

    AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AMA)
    AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR QUALITY
    AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
    AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION (APTA)
    AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
    AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
    AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOCIATION
    BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS ASSOCIATION
    FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES INTERNATIONAL
    LEGAL MARKETING ASSOCIATION
    NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE REMODELING INDUSTRY (NARI)
    SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS
    SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS
    INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS

There are many international associations also. Most are easy to find. A complete list can be found in the National Trade and Professional Directories online. They offer detailed information on technical organizations, professional societies, and associations. They include contact information, the associations website url, number of current members, year it was formed and a profile of the association.

Funeral Director Job Description & Career Opportunities

Funeral directors, known as morticians or undertakers, are involved in all aspects of a funeral. Funeral directors work closely with the family of the deceased to ensure that all the details pertaining to the disposal of the body are performed properly. They will advise the family on options for the deceased’s body. They may guide casket selection, arrange for the transportation of the deceased to the funeral parlor, assist with obtaining the appropriate religious clergy, and help obtain needed information for the death certificate. In addition, funeral directors take the time to consult with the family to learn about the deceased and the type of service that is desired.
Funeral Director Responsibilities

Funeral directors strive to create services that honor the deceased and have the type of atmosphere that the deceased or their family desires. They also contact newspapers to arrange for a death notice to appear in the newspaper. They arrange the service, decorate the chapel, and arrange for clergy. In addition, they can provide answers about any details pertaining to the burial that might be of concern to surviving family members. Funeral directors head the funeral procession and arrange to have the body transported to a cemetery or make other arrangements for the body.

Many funeral directors are also embalmers, which involves preserving bodies and may involve cosmetically enhancing them. If the body is disfigured, embalming can involve touching up the body with materials to create artificial body parts to give the body a natural, unblemished appearance. Embalming involves cleansing the body and preserving and is required if more than 24 hours elapse between the death and burial. Funeral directors need to be compassionate and comfortable handling the deceased. Funeral directors should have a calm demeanor and be comfortable interacting with family members and their friends who are going through a stressful time period. In addition to consoling the bereaved, funeral directors may also conduct services and organize them. Generally, most funeral directors spend the majority of their time with family members.
Funeral Director Training and Education Requirements

As early as high school, students can start preparing for becoming a funeral director by taking biology and science classes. Most funeral directors own their funeral parlors and therefore, find courses in business and basic bookkeeping useful. Often funeral homes are family owned businesses. Programs for becoming a funeral director encompass science, psychology, communication, art restoration, embalming, anatomy, management and sociology. Some tech schools offer mortuary science programs that range in time requirements from nine month to several years. Some colleges also offer funeral director training as well. Funeral directors also need to have a background about religious customs for burial. In addition, it is usually customary to have an apprenticeship for at least a year or more in the field. States vary in their licensing requirements for funeral directors and embalmers. Morticians also study ethics, law, public speaking, funeral services, and grief counseling. The majority of states require a college education or completion of a mortuary program to enter the profession.
Funeral Director Salary and Wages

Salaries vary depending on the location of the funeral home, the volume of service performed, the funeral home chapel and facilities, and the experience of the funeral director. Median salaries average between $33,000 and $58,000. Funeral directors in well populated cities tend to make higher salaries than those in more rural areas. Funeral directors who want to own a funeral parlor tend to work in smaller funeral parlors that they can eventually take over. Larger funeral homes tend to provide better opportunities for salary increases and advancement.**According to the BLS, http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Funeral Director Certifications

Certifications vary by state and some states have different requirements based on the educational background of the applicant. Generally, applicants are required to serve one or two years as an apprentice before qualifying for a license. Applicants are required to pass a funeral director’s test to obtain certification. Embalmers must also complete an apprenticeship and pass a test. Some states have a combination embalmer and funeral director license while others require separate licenses. Certification tests require applicants to pass oral and written sections. Although reciprocity is available between some states, many states require certification in their state to be able to practice.
Funeral Director Professional Associations

The National Funeral Directors Association offers resources for job and seminars. In addition, they offer a wide variety of continuing education for funeral directors that cover many subjects including counseling, services, business management, and other topics. They also offer legal support and forms as well as marketing assistance.

The American Board of Funeral Services Education provides accreditation for mortuary programs and also provides scholarship funding.

The Association of Executives of Funeral Boards provides a forum for boards to share ideas.
Many states also have funeral director associations that are geared to practicing funeral directors who are local. State associations usually provide legislative updates, business support, group benefits and continuing education opportunities.