Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life
General Managers
General Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors.
Table of Contents
Job Description
General Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. They also review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
Other tasks include:
- Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
- Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
- Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
- Set prices or credit terms for goods or services based on forecasts of customer demand.
- Monitor suppliers to ensure that they efficiently and effectively provide needed goods or services within budgetary limits.
- Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
We asked General Managers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.
75%
57%
75% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 57% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.
Typical Day At Work
On a daily basis, General Managers monitor suppliers to ensure that they efficiently and effectively provide needed goods or services within budgetary limits. They direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
A typical day for a General and Operations Manager will also include:
- Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
- Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
- Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
- Manage the movement of goods into and out of production facilities to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, or sustainability of operations.
- Perform sales floor work, such as greeting or assisting customers, stocking shelves, or taking inventory.
We asked some General Managers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.
Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? | 96% said yes | |
How important is it to work in a team in this job? | 79% said very important | |
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? | 95% said yes | |
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? | 52% said yes | |
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? | 16% said yes | |
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? | 69% said yes |
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, General Managers also establish or implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, or procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, or staff members. They may also develop or implement product-marketing strategies, including advertising campaigns or sales promotions.
On a weekly to monthly basis, General Managers Direct non-merchandising departments of businesses, such as advertising or purchasing. They might also Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
In addition, they Plan store layouts or design displays.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them Manage the movement of goods into and out of production facilities to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, or sustainability of operations.
To some General Managers, it is also their responsibility to Perform personnel functions such as selection, training, or evaluation.
Working life
More than 40 hours per week
Regular schedule like a 9 to 5
In a typical work week as a General and Operations Manager, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.
Is this right for me
The Entrepreneurs and The Organizers
People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
Learn more about General Managers
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