What Does a Product Operations Manager Do?

In the bustling arena of product development, there's a new star rising: the product operations manager. But who is this new player, and how do they stand apart from the familiar faces of product management?

Join us as we peel back the layers of product operations, revealing the rise and key responsibilities of this burgeoning role.

Unpacking the rise of product operations jobs

As businesses scale and product teams expand, the need for streamlined operations becomes paramount. A LinkedIn job search in July 2023 revealed a staggering 72,000 product operations job openings in the United States alone. This surge in demand underscores the growing recognition of the pivotal role product operations plays in modern product development.

Bridging historical gaps

Historically, tasks that are now the domain of product operations were scattered across roles like product managers and project managers. But as the complexity of products grew and teams sprawled across geographies, a glaring gap appeared: who would meld strategy with execution? Product operations rose to this challenge, laser-focused on refining processes, aligning diverse teams, and arming them with the tools and data essential for positive product outcomes.

Embracing agile in a fast-paced world

The advent of agile methodologies and the pivot to continuous delivery and integration have thrust the need for fluid operations into the spotlight. Product operations stand as the guardians of this agility, ensuring teams navigate change with grace, speed, and a relentless commitment to delivering customer value.

Data: the new decision-making compass

The modern business world is increasingly leaning into data-driven decision-making. Recognizing the goldmine that is data, businesses are turning to product operations managers. These experts sift through data analytics, user feedback, and market shifts, presenting product teams with a lucid, evidence-backed picture. Gone are the days of gut-feel decisions—empirical evidence is the new north star.

Traditional industries join the fray

The allure of product operations isn't confined to the tech sector or budding startups. Legacy industries, recognizing the merits of digital transformation, are weaving product operations into their fabric. From financial services to healthcare hubs, the message is clear: to stay in the game, a product-first mindset is non-negotiable. And central to this shift? A robust product operations mechanism.

A bright future for product operations

The meteoric rise of product operations mirrors the transformative shifts in product development. As businesses race to craft standout products in a fluid market, product operations' role is set to shine even brighter. With their prowess in fine-tuning processes, fostering team harmony, and championing data-driven insights, they're the secret sauce in the pursuit of fantastic products.

Key responsibilities of a product operations manager

The role of a product operations manager is multifaceted, encompassing a broad spectrum of tasks that bridge the gap between product strategy and execution. Drawing from real-world job descriptions, let's delve deeper into the range of responsibilities that these professionals shoulder:1

1. Engagement model definition: Many companies place a premium on the ability of product ops to define the engagement model between technical teams and business stakeholders. This ensures that there's a clear roadmap for collaboration, facilitating the seamless translation of product strategy into tangible outcomes.

2. Vendor evaluation and management: Organizations of all sizes emphasize the importance of product ops in the vendor selection process. This involves not just evaluating potential vendors but also ensuring that they align with the company's product vision and objectives. By actively participating in this process, product ops managers ensure that the tools and services integrated into the product ecosystem add genuine value.

3. Championing data-driven decision making: Companies tend to spotlight the role of product ops in harnessing all-important data. By partnering with UX researchers, analytics teams, and other data-centric roles, product ops managers ensure that product decisions are informed, strategic, and reflective of genuine user needs and market trends.

4. Stakeholder relationship management: Building and nurturing relationships is at the heart of product ops, and many relevant job descriptions emphasize the cultivation of relationships across departments. From engineering to marketing, product ops managers are responsible for ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned, informed, and working collaboratively towards shared product goals.

5. Operational excellence and continuous improvement: The essence of product ops lies in optimization. Many product operations analyst job descriptions encapsulate this by emphasizing the role's focus on driving both immediate and long-term operational enhancements. Whether it's refining workflows, introducing new tools, or streamlining communication channels, product ops managers are always on the lookout for opportunities to elevate the product development process.

6. Process standardization and best practices: Beyond the aforementioned companies, a common thread in many product ops job descriptions across industries is the emphasis on standardizing processes. By introducing best practices and ensuring consistency in workflows, product ops managers lay the foundation for scalable and sustainable product growth.

7. Feedback loop management: Another pivotal responsibility, often highlighted by tech firms and startups, is the management and optimization of feedback loops. Product ops managers ensure that customer feedback, user insights, and market trends are systematically gathered, analyzed, and channeled back into the product development process.

In short, the role of a product operations manager is both strategic and tactical. They not only provide the vision for operational excellence but also roll up their sleeves to ensure that this vision is realized in every facet of the product journey. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the responsibilities of product ops managers will only grow in scope and significance, making them indispensable assets in the product ecosystem.

The product operations career path

Product operations is a dynamic career path teeming with opportunities for personal and professional growth. For those considering a foray into this domain or seeking to chart their trajectory, here's a deeper dive into the career landscape of product operations:

1. A launchpad for aspiring leaders: The holistic view of the product ecosystem that a product ops role offers makes it an ideal starting point for those aspiring to leadership positions. Whether you're eyeing the role of a product general manager (GM) or envisioning yourself as a Chief Operating Officer (COO) steering company-wide operations, the insights and experience garnered in product ops can be invaluable.

2. Transitioning to product management: Given the close collaboration between product ops and product management, it's not uncommon for professionals to transition between these roles. The operational expertise and stakeholder management skills honed in product ops can be a significant asset for those looking to delve deeper into product strategy and roadmap planning as product managers.

3. Specialized roles within product ops: As the field matures, there's a growing demand for specialized roles within product operations. Positions like product operations analyst, product operations specialist, and product operations lead cater to specific facets of the product ops domain, allowing professionals to deepen their expertise in areas like data analytics, process optimization, or stakeholder engagement.

4. Broadening horizons with cross-functional roles: The integrative nature of product ops, which involves collaborating with departments like marketing, sales, engineering, and customer support, offers a unique vantage point. This makes it easier for product ops professionals to transition into cross-functional roles, leveraging their comprehensive understanding of the product lifecycle.

5. Continuous learning: The ever-evolving nature of the tech and product landscape means that continuous learning is integral to a successful career in product ops. Whether it's staying updated with the latest tools and technologies, attending workshops, or pursuing certifications, there's always room for skill enhancement.

6. Mentorship and networking: Given the collaborative essence of the role, product ops professionals often find themselves in the midst of a vibrant community. Engaging with peers, seeking mentorship, or even offering guidance to newcomers can open doors to new opportunities and perspectives.

7. Scaling the ladder: For those with an eye on leadership roles, positions like director of product operations or product operations associate offer the chance to steer larger teams, influence company-wide strategies, and make impactful decisions. These roles often come with the responsibility of shaping the future direction of product ops within the organization.

Whether you're just starting out or contemplating your next move, the world of product ops promises a journey that's as enriching as it is diverse. So, as you chart your course, remember that in the realm of product operations, every experience is a stepping stone to greater horizons.

Is a product operations role right for you?

The role of a product operations manager is multifaceted, bridging the gap between strategy and execution. If you're considering a career in product operations, now is the perfect time. Demand is surging, and with platforms like Viable, product operations professionals can further streamline their processes, harnessing AI to gather and analyze customer feedback. This not only enhances the efficiency of product operations but also ensures products that truly resonate with market aspirations.

Ready to see how Viable can elevate your product operations workflow? Get a demo today and experience the power of AI-driven insights.