Operations analyst
No business is safe from all sorts of problems hindering the progress of its operations.
Regardless of the type of problem, the operations analyst is there to help solve it and get the business back on track.
Becoming an operations analyst takes a lot of management and analytical skills. This article breaks down the specific responsibilities and skills required in this role.
What is an operations analyst?
An operations analyst is a professional who uses critical and analytical skills to solve internal problems within an organization and come up with solutions to mitigate them.
Operations analysts are responsible for analyzing data and working across different departments to ensure operations run smoothly and efficiently.
Duties of an operations analyst
The duties of an operations analyst range from data collection to strategizing solutions. Here is a breakdown of the main responsibilities:
Identifying problems
It is the operations analyst’s job to identify internal problems that may hinder business operations.
To remain transparent, these concerns must be relayed to business stakeholders and clients to ensure that any unexpected problems do not hit them.
Regardless of the type of issue, it is the operation analyst’s job to figure out the source and come up with solutions to solve it and prevent it from happening again.
Creating model strategies
An operations analyst must come up with model strategies to resolve issues. These involve collecting relevant data and statistics using software tools that you can use to predict the outcome of the solution.
Additionally, the role also covers tracking performance metrics and monitoring KPIs to measure the solution’s success.
There is also a lot of data forecasting, as operations analysts must foresee the results of multiple solutions before implementing the best one.
Recommend solutions
Once internal problems are identified, it is up to the operations analyst to recommend solutions based on their research.
These are usually done through reports or presentations showcasing their findings that support their recommended solutions and potential downsides.
Collaborating with teams and departments
Since researching and creating solutions is a heavy task, operations analysts often work with other teams and departments.
Some people they may work with to develop the best solutions include other operations analysts, researchers, or project managers.
Skills and requirements needed in an operations analyst
Being an operations analyst requires several qualifications to perform efficiently. Here are the skills and requirements needed:
- Strong analytical abilities to interpret data and draw meaningful insights
- Proficiency in using quantitative analysis tools and software
- Effective communication to relay findings and recommendations
- The ability to identify issues and propose creative solutions
- Precision in data analysis and documentation
- Familiarity with relevant software and tools, such as Excel, data visualization, and databases
- Understanding of the company’s industry and business model
Where to hire an operations analyst
Businesses may search and hire operations analysts using the following:
- Job platforms – You can use sites like LinkedIn or Indeed to recruit and view the applications of job hunters and see if they are eligible for an interview.
- Freelance platforms – Sites like Upwork or Fiverr also have freelancers looking for a career in operations analysis.
- Recruitment agencies. You can also turn to recruitment agencies who specialize in operations to help lead you to potential applications.
Aside from the methods mentioned above, you can also seek help from personal connections to give you referrals potential operations analysts.
Salary comparison
The salary of an operations analyst may vary depending on the company and skill level.
According to Indeed.com, an operations analyst in the US makes around $70,273 per year on average. To compare, an operations analyst in the Philippines makes around P522,460/year.
Here’s a break down of the role’s annual salary according to experience.
Junior | Mid | Senior | |
USA | $66,140 | $70,865 | $90,359 |
Philippines | $293,451 | $530,315 | 579,067 |
On-site vs. Remote setup for an operations analyst
An operations analyst can work either on-site in a physical office or in a remote setup, depending on what the company requires.
An on-site setup may be required if the operations analysts need physical documentation or tools to do their work or if they need to meet their team in person.
However, if they can access these from a remote location, then working remotely may be a better option as it removes the need to travel and provides more flexibility and convenience.
Operations analyst job description template
This operations analyst job description template is a comprehensive guide for recruiters looking to hire a seasoned specialist to fulfill their needs.
It outlines the key responsibilities, qualifications, and application process, clearly showing the role’s requirements and expectations within the organization.
Feel free to customize this job description template to match your company’s requirements and preferences.