Top 12 Business Operations Manager Skills to Put on Your Resume

A Business Operations Manager plays a critical role in ensuring an organization runs efficiently and effectively, making the skills you highlight on your resume crucial for standing out to potential employers. This article outlines the top 12 skills you should showcase to demonstrate your capability in managing and optimizing business operations, setting you apart in the competitive job market.

Business Operations Manager Skills

1. Salesforce
2. QuickBooks
3. Tableau
4. SAP
5. Oracle
6. Microsoft Excel
7. Project Management
8. Lean Six Sigma
9. Agile Methodology
10. SQL
11. Power BI
12. JIRA

1. Salesforce

Salesforce is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software that enables businesses to manage sales, marketing, customer service, and other operations in a unified platform, enhancing efficiency and improving customer experiences.

Why It's Important

Salesforce is important for a Business Operations Manager because it provides a comprehensive suite of tools for managing customer relationships, automating sales processes, and analyzing data, thereby enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and revenue growth.

How to Improve Salesforce Skills

To improve Salesforce for a Business Operations Manager, focus on the following strategies:

1. Customization: Tailor Salesforce to match your business processes by customizing objects, fields, and workflows. Salesforce's Customization Guide offers detailed steps.

2. Integration: Integrate Salesforce with other business tools (e.g., email, ERP, marketing automation) for a unified platform. Explore integration options on the Salesforce AppExchange.

3. Training and Adoption: Enhance user adoption through comprehensive training programs. Salesforce offers resources through its Trailhead learning platform.

4. Data Management: Ensure clean, duplicate-free data for accurate reporting and decision-making. Check Salesforce's Data Management Guide.

5. Analytics and Reporting: Leverage Salesforce's reporting tools to gain insights and inform business strategies. Learn more through Salesforce's Analytics and Reporting Guide.

6. Regular Audits and Updates: Periodically review your Salesforce setup to optimize workflows and leverage new features. Salesforce provides updates on their Release Notes page.

By focusing on these areas, a Business Operations Manager can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Salesforce within their organization.

How to Display Salesforce Skills on Your Resume

2. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is an accounting software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, facilitating tasks such as invoicing, payroll, accounts payable, and financial reporting to streamline business operations and financial management.

Why It's Important

QuickBooks is essential for a Business Operations Manager as it streamlines financial management, enhances accuracy in accounting, and aids in budgeting and forecasting, significantly improving operational efficiency and decision-making.

How to Improve QuickBooks Skills

Improving QuickBooks for a Business Operations Manager involves streamlining processes, enhancing data accuracy, and leveraging integrations. Here's a concise guide:

1. Automate Data Entry: Utilize bank feeds and receipt capture features to reduce manual data entry. This improves accuracy and saves time. QuickBooks Online offers guidance on setting up bank feeds.

2. Customize Reports: Tailor reports to your specific business needs to gain better insights. QuickBooks allows customization of profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and more. Customize reports to suit your management style.

3. Integrate Applications: Connect QuickBooks with other business applications like payroll, CRM, or e-commerce platforms for a seamless workflow. Check out the QuickBooks App Store for integrations.

4. Regular Training and Updates: Stay updated with the latest QuickBooks features and ensure your team is trained. QuickBooks offers training courses to enhance your team's proficiency.

5. Use Budgeting and Forecasting Tools: Implement the budgeting and forecasting features to manage finances better and plan for the future. Learn to create budgets in QuickBooks.

6. Regularly Review and Clean Up Data: Ensure your QuickBooks data is accurate and up-to-date by performing regular audits and cleanup. This helps in making informed decisions. Clean up your books to maintain data integrity.

By focusing on these areas, a Business Operations Manager can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of QuickBooks within their organization.

How to Display QuickBooks Skills on Your Resume

3. Tableau

Tableau is a powerful data visualization tool that enables Business Operations Managers to analyze, visualize, and share data insights through interactive dashboards, helping in informed decision-making and operational improvements.

Why It's Important

Tableau is important for a Business Operations Manager because it enables efficient data visualization and analysis, facilitating informed decision-making and operational improvements by transforming complex data into actionable insights.

How to Improve Tableau Skills

Improving your skills in Tableau as a Business Operations Manager involves focusing on several key areas: data analysis, visualization best practices, dashboard design, and staying updated with Tableau's latest features. Here's a concise guide to help you enhance your Tableau capabilities:

1. Learn Tableau Fundamentals: Start with mastering the basics of Tableau. Understand how to connect data sources, create basic visualizations, and use filters and parameters. The Tableau Training and Tutorials page is an excellent resource.

2. Advanced Data Visualization Techniques: Dive deeper into creating more complex and insightful visualizations. Explore the Tableau Public gallery for inspiration and techniques from the community.

3. Dashboard Design Principles: Study design principles focused on clarity, interactivity, and storytelling. The Big Book of Dashboards offers practical advice and examples.

4. Analytics and Decision Making: Enhance your ability to derive actionable insights. Utilize Tableau’s analytics features like forecasting and trend analysis to inform business decisions. The Analytics section on Tableau's help guide provides a good start.

5. Efficiency in Tableau: Learn to use Tableau more efficiently through keyboard shortcuts, custom templates, and automation features. Refer to Tableau's Best Practices for tips.

6. Stay Updated: Tableau regularly updates its platform. Keep yourself updated with the latest features and updates through the Tableau Blog.

7. Join the Community: Engage with the Tableau Community through forums, user groups, and social media. The Tableau Community Forums are a great place to ask questions and share knowledge.

8. Training and Certification: Consider official Tableau training courses and certification to validate your skills and learn best practices. Information about certification programs can be found on the Tableau Certification page.

By focusing on these areas, you'll be able to significantly improve your proficiency in Tableau, enabling you to create more impactful reports and dashboards that drive business decisions.

How to Display Tableau Skills on Your Resume

4. SAP

SAP is a global software corporation that develops enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency across various departments within an organization.

Why It's Important

SAP streamlines and integrates critical business processes, enhancing operational efficiency, real-time data access for informed decision-making, and scalability to support growth, crucial for a Business Operations Manager to achieve operational excellence and strategic goals.

How to Improve SAP Skills

Improving SAP for a Business Operations Manager involves enhancing efficiency, data accuracy, and user satisfaction. Focus on:

1. Training and User Adoption: Enhance user skills through SAP Training and Adoption. A well-trained team can better navigate the system, improving productivity.

2. Process Optimization: Identify and streamline business processes using SAP’s Business Process Management (BPM). This can eliminate redundancies, speeding up operations.

3. System Customization: Tailor SAP to fit your business needs. Utilize SAP Fiori for a more intuitive user interface, enhancing user experience.

4. Data Management: Implement robust data governance practices. Tools like SAP Master Data Governance ensure data accuracy and consistency.

5. Integration: Integrate SAP with other systems for a unified operation using SAP Integration Suite, enabling seamless data flow and functionality across platforms.

6. Regular Updates and Maintenance: Stay up-to-date with the latest SAP updates and patches to ensure system security and access to new features.

7. Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback mechanism from users to continuously identify areas for improvement.

By focusing on these areas, a Business Operations Manager can significantly enhance the functionality and efficiency of SAP within their organization.

How to Display SAP Skills on Your Resume

5. Oracle

Oracle is a technology company that provides a comprehensive and fully integrated stack of cloud applications, platform services, and engineered systems, designed to help businesses improve their operations, data management, and overall efficiency.

Why It's Important

Oracle provides comprehensive and integrated business software and hardware systems, enabling efficient data management, streamlined operations, and informed decision-making, crucial for a Business Operations Manager to optimize performance and drive growth.

How to Improve Oracle Skills

Improving Oracle for a Business Operations Manager involves streamlining processes, optimizing system performance, and enhancing data analysis capabilities. To achieve this:

1. Educate and Train Staff: Ensure your team is proficient in using Oracle products. Oracle offers a comprehensive learning platform.

2. Leverage Oracle Support and Community: Utilize Oracle Support and participate in Oracle Community forums for solutions and best practices.

3. Optimize System Performance: Regularly review and tune the database using Oracle's performance tuning utilities. Oracle provides a guide on Database Performance Tuning.

4. Implement Automation: Use Oracle's automation tools for routine tasks to increase efficiency. Explore Oracle Cloud Automation Services.

5. Data Analysis and Reporting: Utilize Oracle's advanced analytics and business intelligence tools. Check out Oracle Analytics for insights.

6. Regular Updates and Maintenance: Keep your Oracle software up to date to benefit from the latest features and security patches. Oracle provides a maintenance guide within its Lifecycle Management documentation.

7. Customization and Integration: Tailor Oracle applications to your business needs and ensure seamless integration with other systems. Oracle offers insights on Cloud Integration.

8. Security Enhancements: Regularly assess and enhance your Oracle system's security. Oracle's Security Practices can guide you.

By focusing on these areas, Business Operations Managers can significantly improve their Oracle systems' efficiency, reliability, and value to the organization.

How to Display Oracle Skills on Your Resume

6. Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program used for organizing, analyzing, and visualizing data, crucial for decision-making and operational efficiency in business management.

Why It's Important

Microsoft Excel is crucial for a Business Operations Manager as it enables efficient data analysis and management, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, facilitating informed decision-making and operational optimization.

How to Improve Microsoft Excel Skills

To improve your proficiency in Microsoft Excel as a Business Operations Manager, focus on mastering advanced functions, automating repetitive tasks, and leveraging data visualization tools. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Enhance your Excel skills by exploring advanced functions and formulas that are crucial for data analysis and decision-making. ExcelJet is an excellent resource for learning complex formulas.

2. Automate tasks using macros and the Excel VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) to save time on repetitive tasks, thus increasing efficiency. AutomateExcel provides comprehensive tutorials on automation.

3. Utilize PivotTables and PivotCharts for summarizing, analyzing, exploring, and presenting your data in an interactive way. Microsoft offers a guide to Get started with PivotTables.

4. Incorporate data visualization tools to create impactful reports and dashboards. Excel has built-in features, but also consider external tools like Power BI for more advanced analytics and visualizations.

5. Stay updated with the latest Excel features and updates by regularly checking the Microsoft Excel Blog. This will ensure you're leveraging the most current tools and functionalities for your business operations.

By enhancing your Excel skills, automating tasks, and utilizing advanced data analysis and visualization tools, you can significantly improve efficiency and decision-making processes in your role as a Business Operations Manager.

How to Display Microsoft Excel Skills on Your Resume

7. Project Management

Project management is the process of planning, executing, and overseeing a project to meet specific goals within a defined timeline and budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and successful completion of project objectives, crucial for a Business Operations Manager to optimize organizational processes and achieve strategic goals.

Why It's Important

Project management is crucial for a Business Operations Manager as it ensures efficient resource allocation, timely delivery of projects, adherence to budgets, and the achievement of business objectives, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness and competitive advantage.

How to Improve Project Management Skills

Improving project management, especially from a Business Operations Manager's perspective, involves a strategic blend of methodologies, tools, and soft skills. Here are concise tips with relevant external links:

1. Embrace Agile Methodologies: Agile principles encourage flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction. Implementing these can improve responsiveness and project adaptability.

2. Utilize Project Management Software: Tools like Asana, Trello, and Jira enhance organization, communication, and task tracking, streamlining project workflows.

3. Develop Soft Skills: Leadership, communication, and problem-solving are key. Resources like MindTools offer guides on improving these essential skills.

4. Implement Risk Management: Identifying, analyzing, and responding to project risks proactively can save resources. The Project Management Institute offers insights into risk management methodologies.

5. Continual Learning and Certification: Staying updated with the latest project management trends and earning certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) can enhance credibility and skills. Explore PMI’s certification programs.

6. Effective Stakeholder Management: Understanding and managing stakeholders' expectations is crucial. The Association for Project Management provides strategies for effective communication and stakeholder engagement.

7. Lean on Project Management Frameworks: Frameworks like PRINCE2 provide structured approaches to project management. Learn more about PRINCE2 here.

By integrating these strategies and resources, a Business Operations Manager can significantly improve project management outcomes.

How to Display Project Management Skills on Your Resume

8. Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that combines the waste reduction principles of Lean with the process improvement and defect reduction focus of Six Sigma. It aims to enhance efficiency, reduce variability, and improve quality in business operations, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and improved profitability.

Why It's Important

Lean Six Sigma is crucial for a Business Operations Manager as it streamlines processes, reduces waste and defects, thereby increasing efficiency, improving quality, and enhancing customer satisfaction, all of which contribute to higher profitability and competitive advantage.

How to Improve Lean Six Sigma Skills

Improving Lean Six Sigma involves a strategic approach aimed at enhancing efficiency and quality in business operations. As a Business Operations Manager, focus on the following areas:

1. Continuous Education: Invest in ongoing training for yourself and your team to stay updated on Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Utilize resources like the American Society for Quality (ASQ) for courses and certifications.

2. Process Analysis and Mapping: Regularly analyze and map out processes to identify waste and inefficiencies. Tools like Lucidchart can help visualize processes and facilitate improvements.

3. Implement Technology Solutions: Leverage technology to automate processes and collect data for analysis. Explore software options at iSixSigma’s Software Directory.

4. Stakeholder Engagement: Engage all stakeholders, including employees at all levels, through communication platforms like Slack to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

5. Measure and Analyze Data: Use data analytics tools, such as Minitab, to measure process performance and identify areas for improvement.

6. Benchmarking: Regularly compare your processes and performance against industry standards to identify areas for improvement. Professional networks like LinkedIn can be valuable for connecting with peers and sharing best practices.

By focusing on these strategies and leveraging the right tools and resources, you can significantly improve Lean Six Sigma practices within your organization, driving efficiency and quality in business operations.

How to Display Lean Six Sigma Skills on Your Resume

9. Agile Methodology

Agile Methodology is a flexible, iterative approach to project management and product development that prioritizes customer satisfaction through continuous delivery of valuable software or services. It involves collaborative efforts among cross-functional teams to adapt to changing requirements and deliver high-quality results quickly and efficiently. For a Business Operations Manager, it means guiding teams to embrace change, streamline processes, and enhance productivity to meet business goals effectively.

Why It's Important

Agile methodology is important for a Business Operations Manager because it enhances operational efficiency, enables faster response to market changes, improves customer satisfaction through continuous feedback and delivery, and fosters a collaborative work environment that boosts employee productivity and innovation.

How to Improve Agile Methodology Skills

Improving Agile Methodology, especially from a Business Operations Manager's perspective, involves focusing on enhancing collaboration, streamlining processes, and ensuring continuous improvement. Here are concise strategies:

1. Strengthen Team Collaboration: Foster a culture of open communication and collaboration. Utilize tools like Slack for seamless communication and Trello or Jira for project management to keep everyone on the same page.

2. Implement Continuous Feedback Loops: Regularly gather feedback from stakeholders and team members to iteratively improve products and processes. Use tools like SurveyMonkey for feedback collection and analysis.

3. Focus on Customer Value: Prioritize features and tasks based on customer value. Techniques like Value Stream Mapping can help identify and eliminate waste in processes, ensuring efforts are aligned with delivering value.

4. Adopt Agile Metrics: Track and analyze performance using Agile metrics such as Lead Time, Cycle Time, and Throughput. Resources like ActionableAgile provide tools and insights for metrics analysis.

5. Encourage Continuous Learning: Promote a culture of learning and adaptation within the team. Platforms like Pluralsight and Coursera offer courses on Agile methodologies and best practices.

6. Streamline Decision-Making: Ensure decision-making is as decentralized as possible to speed up processes and empower teams. Read more on empowering teams in Harvard Business Review’s article.

7. Leverage Agile Coaching: Consider hiring an Agile coach to refine practices and overcome obstacles. The International Consortium for Agile (ICAgile) offers resources and certifications for Agile coaches.

By implementing these strategies, Business Operations Managers can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Agile methodologies within their organizations.

How to Display Agile Methodology Skills on Your Resume

10. SQL

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a programming language used to manage and manipulate relational databases, enabling you to retrieve, insert, update, and delete data to support business operations and decision-making.

Why It's Important

SQL (Structured Query Language) is crucial for a Business Operations Manager because it enables efficient management and analysis of vast amounts of data, helping in making informed decisions, optimizing operations, and improving overall business performance.

How to Improve SQL Skills

Improving your SQL skills can significantly enhance your efficiency in managing business operations. Here's a concise guide:

1. Understand SQL Basics: Grasp SQL syntax, basic commands (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE), and how to filter data with WHERE clauses. W3Schools SQL Tutorial is an excellent starting point.

2. Practice Regularly: Hands-on practice is key. Use platforms like SQLZoo or LeetCode to solve real-world problems.

3. Learn Advanced SQL Features: Enhance your queries by mastering joins, subqueries, window functions, and stored procedures. The Mode Analytics SQL Tutorial covers advanced concepts well.

4. Optimize SQL Queries: Understanding indexes and execution plans can help you write efficient queries. This SQL Optimization Guide is an excellent resource.

5. Stay Updated and Network: Join SQL communities (e.g., Stack Overflow, Reddit SQL) to learn from real-world scenarios, share knowledge, and stay updated on best practices.

6. Utilize Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Familiarize yourself with BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) that use SQL for data manipulation and reporting.

7. Attend Workshops and Webinars: Participate in SQL workshops and webinars for interactive learning and networking. Websites like Meetup often list relevant events.

By following these steps and consistently practicing, you can significantly improve your SQL skills, making you more effective in business operations management.

How to Display SQL Skills on Your Resume

11. Power BI

Power BI is a business analytics tool by Microsoft that enables managers to visualize data, create reports and dashboards, and make informed decisions based on data insights.

Why It's Important

Power BI is crucial for a Business Operations Manager as it enables data-driven decision-making by providing powerful data visualization and analytics tools, streamlining reporting processes, and offering insights to optimize operations and enhance business performance.

How to Improve Power BI Skills

To improve Power BI for a Business Operations Manager, follow these concise strategies:

1. Learn Advanced Features: Enhance your Power BI skills by exploring advanced features. Microsoft's official documentation is a great starting point.

2. Utilize Templates and Samples: Use Power BI templates and samples to streamline your reporting process.

3. Incorporate Custom Visuals: Explore and integrate custom visuals to make your reports more insightful and engaging.

4. Automate Reports: Automate your reporting process with Power BI’s data refresh features to ensure up-to-date information.

5. Optimize Data Models: Focus on optimizing your data models for performance. Microsoft offers guidelines on model performance.

6. Enhance Data Security: Familiarize yourself with Power BI’s security features to protect your data and comply with your company’s policies.

7. Stay Updated: Stay informed about new features and updates through the Power BI Blog and Community.

By focusing on these areas, a Business Operations Manager can significantly improve their Power BI capabilities, leading to more efficient and effective business operations.

How to Display Power BI Skills on Your Resume

12. JIRA

JIRA is a project management and issue tracking software designed to help teams plan, track, and manage their work efficiently, facilitating collaboration and progress tracking for business operations.

Why It's Important

JIRA is crucial for a Business Operations Manager as it streamlines task management, enhances team collaboration, and provides real-time progress tracking, ensuring operational efficiency and project success.

How to Improve JIRA Skills

Improving JIRA for a Business Operations Manager involves streamlining processes, enhancing team collaboration, and ensuring that the tool aligns with organizational goals. Here are concise steps to achieve this:

1. Customize Workflows: Tailor JIRA workflows to match your team's processes. This ensures tasks move efficiently from one stage to the next. Atlassian's guide on JIRA workflows offers a starting point.

2. Integrate Tools: Connect JIRA with other tools used by your team (e.g., Slack, Confluence, or CRM software) for seamless information flow. Browse through Atlassian Marketplace for integrations.

3. Use Dashboards and Reports: Create personalized dashboards and reports for real-time insights into projects and operations. This helps in making informed decisions quickly. Learn about JIRA dashboards.

4. Optimize Issue Templates: Customize issue templates to ensure all necessary information is captured when a ticket is created. This improves clarity and reduces back-and-forth. Customizing JIRA issue templates can guide you.

5. Implement Automation: Leverage JIRA's automation features to reduce manual tasks, such as auto-assigning issues or updating statuses. JIRA Automation Documentation provides examples and instructions.

6. Train Your Team: Ensure your team is fully trained on JIRA’s features and best practices. Consider periodic training sessions to cover updates and refreshers. Atlassian University offers courses and tutorials.

7. Regularly Review and Adapt: Continuously assess how your team is using JIRA and make adjustments to workflows, permissions, and settings to improve efficiency and meet evolving business needs.

By implementing these steps, a Business Operations Manager can significantly enhance the effectiveness of JIRA within their organization, leading to improved productivity and better project outcomes.

How to Display JIRA Skills on Your Resume