What Is an Operations Associate and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

An operations associate provides support to the operations manager, either individually or as part of a team. As an operations associate, you assist with a variety of duties necessary to the basic operations of your employer, so your responsibilities depend to some degree on the industry in which you work—retail, healthcare, travel, manufacturing, or corporate offices. You handle clerical and administrative tasks, like employee scheduling, product management, and ordering supplies. You also monitor and assist with customer service, sales, and marketing initiatives.

Operations associate is an entry-level position, so the qualifications are a high school diploma, strong organizational skills, and good interpersonal communication skills. Since the job duties of an operations associate vary so much by industry, expect to receive significant workplace training from your operations manager. Once you learn the company’s standards of procedure, you assist the operations manager in implementing policies and ensuring all employees meet expectations.