Bachelor of Science in Operations Management

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Operations Management (BSBA-OM) is a four year degree program designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in product creation, development, distribution, substantial measurement and analysis of internal processes.

The BSBA in Operations Management program instructs students on how manufacturing and service operations contribute to organizational strategy. Topics discussed in this course include product and process strategy, capacity, planning, location and layout strategies, supply-chain management, aggregate planning and scheduling. The program also covers topics in manufacturing, management of purchases, inventory, quality control, storage, logistics and evaluation.

Compared to the generic BSBA curriculum which is a broader business degree incorporating finance, accounting, strategy, marketing, IT, HR, and other business functions, the BSBA-OM program specifically deals with the manufacturing and distribution aspect of an organization or business establishment. The program centers around teaching students on the design and management of products, processes, services and supply chains. 

Subjects and Curriculum
The program includes two years of general education and two years of specialization including feasibility writing and internship so that learning is not only theoretical but also experiential. Both the feasibility and internship/on the job training are requirements for graduation.

The subjects in the BSBA in Operations Management curriculum are divided into five main categories:

• General Education core:
  Language and Humanities Cluster, Mathematics, Computer and Natural Science Cluster, Social Sciences Cluster, Mandated Subjects
• Basic Business Core:
  Principles of Management, Human Behavior in Organization (HBO), Principles of Marketing, Accounting 1, Business Communication, Basic Finance, Computer
• Business Education Core: 
  Basic Microeconomics, Accounting II, Business Law (Obligation and Contract), Taxation (Income Taxation), Total Quality Management, Human Resource Management, Social Responsibility and Good Governance
• Operations Management Professional Courses:
  Operations Management, Inventory Management and Control, Project Management, Cost Accounting, Logistics Management, Productivity and Quality Tools, Facilities Management, Strategic Operations Management
• Elective Courses:
  Marketing Management, Managerial Accounting, Entrepreneurial Management, Global/International Trade, Financial Management, Environmental Management, Operations Research, Configuration Management, Special Topics in Operations Management, Management Information System, Enterprise Resource Planning

The BSBA-OM program is taught to students through classroom lectures. Students may also be exposed to educational talks and seminars.

Is Operations Management a profession?
Operations Management is not a profession. A graduate of this program will most likely be employed in establishments and companies to work in operations, logistics, inventory, planning, purchasing, project management and similar jobs. These careers are not considered professions because they do not require a specialized set of knowledge and skills, nor do they require a government certification.

What are the admission requirements for the BSBA in Operations Management program?
Requirements at each school may differ, but these are the common requirements:

• Must be a high school graduate.
  Those who did not complete high school education may opt to first attend Alternative Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) to qualify for college. However, some universities only offer selected courses for PEPT passers
• College entrance exam: must pass the college entrance examination with a specified rating set by the school.
• Interview: must pass the interview conducted by the college dean/faculty.

What skills, traits and attitude will help you succeed in this course?

• Inclination to Mathematics – almost every subject in the program requires the use of certain mathematical concepts and operations thus it’s very important to have strong foundation in mathematics
• Problem-solving skills – the ability to identify, assess, create alternative solutions and solve the actual problem while continuously evaluating for outcomes.
• Analytical skills – the ability to solve both complex and uncomplicated problems and concepts and make decisions that are sensible and based on available information.
• Strategic thinking – involves the generation and application of unique business insights and opportunities intended to create competitive advantage for a firm or organization.
• Computer Literacy – knowledge of computer use and being able to understand application programs.
• Interpersonal skills – allows you to deal with different kinds of people who are part of a team in the production and distribution of goods and services therefore it is important to establish and maintain positive mutual working relationships with superiors, workmates and clients
• Communication skills – has excellent written and oral communication skills; a strong command of the English language is important because your work will involve dealing with different kinds of people.

How difficult is BSBA in Operations Management?
BSBA in Operations Management is not a difficult course and most subjects in its curriculum can be learned quite easily. However, there are a few challenging subjects such as accounting, and some subjects that require the use of mathematics skills. The workload for this course is lighter compared to many other courses. A challenge for this course perhaps is the final requirement for graduation wherein you need to accomplish a business plan/feasibility study. Unlike other undergraduate papers where you only have to choose a topic of interest, a feasibility study involves a more complex process. You need to find a proponent who has plans of creating a business and convince him/her to accept your services in studying whether the business is feasible or not. 

How long does it take to complete the BSBA in Operations Management program in the Philippines?
The BSBA in Operations Management program takes four years to complete. The program may be completed in less than 4 years in schools that follow the trimestral curriculum.

On the Job Training (OJT)
A student of the BSBA-OM program is required to attend an on the job training (OJT) in a business establishment or agency. During the OJT, students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge and practice their skills in actual settings. The OJT program is done under the supervision of a designated authority in the establishment/office which will evaluate the student periodically and submit the evaluation form to the assigned faculty member. The number of hours required for the OJT varies from one school to another.

Civil Service Examination (CSE)
There is no board examination for BSBA in Operations Management. However, to be qualified to work in government offices, BSBA-OM graduates have to pass the Civil Service Examination (CSE) which is conducted by the Philippine Civil Service Commission (PCSC). 

Career opportunities for BSBA-OM graduates

• Entry Level jobsJobs requiring no prior to minimal level of experience:
  • Management Trainee in Operations/Production
  • Stock Personnel/Controller – responsible for the flow of merchandise from the point of delivery to the sales floor or internal destination
  • Clerical Assistant – under direct supervision, performs a variety of clerical tasks in support of business operations within a department or division; and performs related duties as assigned.
  • Operations Management Assistant – perform administrative duties and other functions that help streamline the daily business operations of an organization.
  • Shipping and receiving personnel – oversees incoming and outgoing shipping activities to ensure accuracy, completeness, and condition of shipments.
  • Stock Personnel – responsible for receiving merchandise, unloading or unpacking it, marking it with codes to be identified, stocking shelves, and helping customers place orders.
  • Project Assistant – help move projects towards completion by performing project and office administration tasks, which typically include production and distribution of collateral, file management, data collection, report creation, proofreading, research, and team collaboration.
  • Warehouse Assistant – responsible to look after the movement of products from the warehouse or inventory thereby keeping a close watch on the inflow and outflow of goods.
  • Purchaser – work in purchasing or procurement departments fulfilling requisition orders for materials, supplies, tools, inventory and any other tangible items that their company or organization needs.
  • Technical Operations Staff – review operating data and compare historical and current information to detect business trends and non-performing areas. Technical operations professionals help senior managers identify weaknesses in corporate processes and recommend corrective measures.
  • Administrative Assistant – creates and revises systems and procedures by analyzing operating practices, recordkeeping systems, forms control, office layout, and budgetary and personnel requirements; implementing changes.
• Mid/Advanced-level positions
  
• Require trainings and prior job experience:
  • Production Supervisor – manufactures products by supervising staff; organizing and monitoring work flow.
  • Manufacturing Director – oversee management of all areas of manufacturing to produce products and direct activities so that approved products are manufactured on-schedule and within quality standards and cost objectives.
  • Plant Supervisor – manage and coordinate plant operations including production, logistics and maintenance while ensuring compliance with all labor, safety, environmental and corporate policies and regulations.
  • Supply chain analyst – analyze product delivery or supply chain processes to identify or recommend changes; manage route activity including invoicing, electronic bills, and shipment tracing.
  • Materials supervisor – responsible for planning, directing or coordinating the process of buying materials, products and services
  • Project Supervisor – responsible for the planning, management, co-ordination and financial control of a construction project
  • General Operations Managers – plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of companies or public and private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources.
  • Product Development Manager – investigates, selects, and drives the development of products for an organization, launches products on time, with superior product quality and maximum customer availability.
  • Operations Manager – overseeing and having responsibility for all the activities in the organization which contribute to the effective production of goods and services.
  • Quality Control Manager – develops, implement and manage quality control systems designed to ensure continuous production of advanced composite materials and applications. Supervise a team of quality control inspectors.
  • Purchasing and Logistics Manager – plan, direct, or coordinate purchasing, warehousing, distribution, forecasting, customer service, or planning services. Manage logistics personnel and logistics systems and direct daily operations.
  • Inventory manager – ensures that the organization has the right amount of stock to meet customer’s needs and also to avoid overstocking certain items, which ties up cash and storage resources.
  • Chief Operating Officer – responsible for managing all hands-on operational aspects of the company; assists the CEO in the aggressive and successful growth of the company
• Entrepreneurial and Self-Employment Opportunities
  • Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Business consultant
• Jobs not related to BSBA-OM
  • Call center agent – answers phone calls and inquiries of clients and provides customer support, usually to people from other countries
  • Administrative Staff – personnel responsible for the organization and management of office duties and tasks; positions that include office secretary, personal assistant and office clerk
  • Freelancer working online – doing online jobs for clients abroad, such as data entry, article writing, SEO, customer support, administrative support etc., which mainly depends on your skills
• Salary Levels
  
• A degree in Operations Management can lead to a variety of jobs, and salaries will vary greatly depending on the position, experience and industry.

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