There is stiff competition for the role of an operations manager. An associate's or bachelor's degree can help you win a promotion. Online courses cover business and computer topics, which can also better your qualifications.

Advancement for Operations Managers
Operations management involves overseeing the main function of a company; operatoins managers often pose the question, 'what it does to make money?' "Operations" encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. These managers must ensure that factories keep producing inventory, while also ensuring that machines are in good working order. Specifically, operations managers within the mortgage lending industry supervise the processors, underwriters, and support staff involved.

Average annual earnings were about $48,700 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Operations management involves everything from chief teller in a bank branch to Chief Operations Officer (COO) in a multinational corporation. In the upper ranks, operations managers oversee broad divisions, making sure corporate goals are met with high quality and timely work. Executive operations managers, who often have earned advanced college degrees, made a yearly median of $137,020 in 2008.