Top 20 Operations Manager Interview Questions & Answers 2025

We have compiled the top 20 Operations Manager interview questions that might be asked in an interview to test various aspects of skills, with tips and a sample answer. These operation management interview questions will help employers assess whether each candidate has the required knowledge and experience in operations management.

1. Tell Us Briefly About Yourself And What Inspires You To Become An Operations Manager

Tip 1: Provide information about yourself that indicate you have the required skills and experience

Tip 2: Briefly describe what motivates you to be an operations manager

Sample Answer

“I am an operations manager with over seven years of experience. I started as an operations specialist, mandated with monitoring daily activities in the workplace before pursuing management. I hold a Bachelor of Operations Management degree and a Computer Science certification. I have an array of qualities that I can attribute to my success as an operations manager. I am a disciplined, self-motivated, and diligent employee. I am interested in self-advancement and can do everything possible to grow and learn. Lastly, I love challenges as they ensure I don’t slip into my comfort zone.

To answer the second part of the question, my inspiration comes from my desire to ensure that all the processes involved in creating or producing goods and services are seamless.”

2. Are You An Easy-Going Manager, Or do You Adopt A Firm Approach Towards Managing Operations And People?

Tip 1: Briefly describe your style of management

Tip 2: Give weight to your answer by demonstrating your approach

Sample Answer

“I employ both the easy-going and firm styles of management. I apply them in different settings depending on the situation and the persons involved. An easygoing style offers disciplined employees the freedom to thrive in their work. Besides, this approach can result in employees’ satisfaction and high productivity for individuals who enjoy the independence it offers. On the other hand, I employ a firm approach to difficult employees and those who require constant supervision. In addition, I utilize a firm approach in situations that demand a high level of accuracy to compel team members to be extra careful.”

3. What Was Most Displeasing About The Management In Your Previous Job?

Here, the interviewer wants to know the aspect of management that you didn’t like during your previous role.

Tip 1: Ensure not to share a negative aspect that may later on work against you

Tip 2: Be honest and describe a real experience

Sample Answer

“During my last assignment, I discovered there wasn’t any more scope for career development in the organization after rising to a particular management level. There was a ‘stagnant point where the top management would just retain employees. They did not consider career growth at that level as a way of moving the company forward. To avoid such a scenario, I would propose a training plan to help equip the staff with appropriate skills and develop their skills.”

4. What Ways Can You Use To Measure The Success Of Your Team?

Operations managers are involved in assessing the success of their teams and of projects and processes. Here, the interviewer wants to determine if you can accomplish that.

Tip 1: Provide two or three ways operations managers can use to assess the success

Tip 2: Briefly describe each method

Sample Answer

I would utilize the following:

• Set a clear baseline

I will begin by setting a level at which my team will operate. That will form a baseline against which I will assess whether the target for every phase is met. The success attained at each level will help me to assess whether a project will be successful.

• Quantify the meaning of success to my team

This concerns determining the level of accomplishment that is regarded as successful. So I will set a measurable and quantifiable goal that will enable me to make precise analyses.

• Set metrics for each project

Before the beginning of every project, I will establish metrics that will enable team members to know what is expected at the end of a project. In the end, I will compare the set metrics versus what has been to determine the level of success attained.

5. If We Hire You As Our Operations Manager, What Will You Do First As A Newly Appointed Manager?

Here, the interviewer is interested in knowing how you will start as an operations manager.

Tip 1: Describe one action you would undertake after assuming your job

Tip 2: Be brief and precise with your answers

Sample Answer

“I will quickly familiarize myself with the mission and vision of the company. This will help me understand why the company exists and how I can contribute to achieving its goals. Besides, that understanding will enable me to align the work plans of my role with the strategic objectives of the company. My team and I will contribute positively toward attaining the company’s strategic objective.”

6. Tell Us About A Time You Failed As A Manager And What You Learned From That Experience

Here, the interviewer wants to assess if you learned anything from your past mistakes and whether you can avoid the same in the future.

Tip 1: Describe an operation or project that didn’t go as planned

Tip 2: Provide the lesson learned

Sample Answer

“During my last assignment, I was overseeing the operations of a team undertaking a project for one of our big clients. Since I was eager to have the work done and please the client, I gave a deadline of two weeks. While I thought the work would be done within that period, it took three weeks, and consequently, the client was unhappy. Later, I learned that I should have been more realistic with my estimates. I realized that a client would not be upset if the right timelines were provided initially. Otherwise, any client would be disappointed when something is not delivered on time yet a promise had been made.”

7. How Can An Operations Manager Monitor Team Performance?

Here, the interviewer seeks to assess if you are capable of monitoring the performance of a team.

Tip 1: Provide ways that can be used to monitor the performance of teams

Tip 2: Describe each of the ways you provide

Sample Answer

“Continuous monitoring helps stay on track and deliver high-quality services and products. Operations managers can monitor teams by:

• Collecting relevant data

Data can be gathered manually or using the software. Using a customer relationship management (CRM) application can help register and analyze sales, correspondence, contact calls, online and offline surveys, and follow-ups. Customer feedback and employee surveys are other tools that operations managers can use to collect relevant data. This data is important in monitoring how a company delivers its services and products.

• Engaging employees

Engaging with your workers is a good way to monitor how operations are going. This enables the operation manager to see whether employees are doing what is expected. Certain problems hindering optimal performance may be identified by checking how work is carried out.

• Establishing a robust communication mechanism

Effective communication is essential when working with a team. It helps to quickly convey what needs to be done to all the team members. One of the ways to ensure information is transmitted effectively is to utilize several communication channels. Besides, having an established communication mechanism helps managers to inquire about the progress at every phase and also receive feedback. It is possible to know how employees perform and whether improvements or changes are needed.”

8. As An Operations Manager, What Will You Do If A Member Of Your Team Is Performing Poorly?

Here, the interviewer wants to assess if you can effectively deal with underperformance issues and have a strong team.

Tip 1: State methods that operations managers can use to improve underperformance

Tip 2: Be brief and precise with your answer

Sample Answer

“An employee’s performance has an impact on the organizational performance. Thus I will begin by diagnosing the cause of underperformance. I will determine whether the employee is performing poorly due to low motivation or lack of ability. A case of low ability may be associated with engaging in difficult tasks and a lack of skills. After identifying the cause of poor performance, I will develop a way to improve it. Concerning low ability, I will come up with ways to improve it. Clarifying work details and on-job training are ways that an operations manager can use to improve performance of underperforming employees.”

9. How Would You Delegate Tasks And Responsibilities?

Operations managers work with teams, and this involves delegating tasks. Here, the interviewer wants to know if you know how to assign work to team members.

Tip 1: Describe how operations managers can delegate duties

Tip 2: Briefly describes the steps involved in delegating tasks

Sample Answer

“I will use the following steps to delegate tasks:

• Identifying tasks and responsibilities to delegate

This involves identifying the duties and tasks that I want to assign. I will accomplish this by assessing the workload at hand and determining the tasks that my team members can accomplish.

• Identifying the best-suited person to perform the tasks

A key strength in delegation is knowing the abilities of every team member. With a list of tasks that need to be done, I will identify the best person to perform them. Checking the skill set of each team member will help me associate them with the tasks they can perform excellently.

• Assign tasks

This step involves the allocation of tasks and responsibilities to team members. In doing this, I will delegate tasks equitably among team members. I also ensure that everyone understands the assigned work and the timelines for completing the job.”

10. What Roles Do Operations Managers Perform Every Day?

The interviewer wants to know whether you are aware of the duties that you are likely to perform if you are hired.

Tip A: Provide and explain a few roles performed by operation managers

Tip B: Be brief and concise with your answer

Sample Answers

“The number of tasks an operation manager can perform is mainly determined by the size and industry of the company. In most cases, operation managers oversee the company’s daily operations, such as quality assurance, strategic planning, staffing schedules, and professional development. In addition, they manage and resolve issues, and review standard operating procedures (SOP) and operating processes. Their overall duty is to offer support to the company with the best effective operation methods.”

11. What Qualities Should An Operations Manager Possess?

Here, the interviewer wants to know if you are aware of the qualities that a good operations manager should have.

Tip 1: Provide the qualities that operations managers should possess

Tip 2: Be precise with your answers

Sample Answer

“Operations managers are mostly predominantly enterprising people. This means that they are generally quite natural leaders thriving at persuading and influencing others. They are conventional, organized, and details oriented. Most operation managers prefer working in an organized and controlled environment. Moreover, they have excellent communication skills, leadership qualities, and problem-resolution skills.”

12. Describe The Daily To Day Routine Of Operations Managers?

Here, the interviewer wants to know whether you are well aware of what operations managers do every day.

Tip 1: Provides the daily activities carried out by an operations manager

Tip 2: Be brief with your answer

Sample Answer

“The daily routines of an operation manager include monitoring daily activities in an organization to maximize productivity, profits, and efficiency. Depending on the kind of business, the operation manager may be required to study business forecasts, create budgets, and analyze financial data to control expenses while boosting revenue. Operations managers supervise employees and set objectives and desires, checking their advancement consistently. They also propose and review process improvements and manage operational issues.”

13. Differentiate Leadership From Management

Here, the interviewer seeks to know your understanding of these two concepts

Tip 1: Define these two concepts

Tip 2: Give weight to your answer by describing each concept

Sample Answer

“The key distinction between management and leadership is that leaders have individuals that tail them, while managers have individuals who work for them. For any organization to be fruitful, it requires management to design, organize and arrange its staff while inspiring and propelling them to perform their best. A person with leadership and management skills can be more productive in an organization.”

14. In Five Years, What Kind Of An Operations Manager Will You Be?

Here, the interviewer seeks to understand your thoughts and ambitions about this role.

Tip 1: Describe where you perceive yourself in five years

Tip 2: Be brief and concise with your answer

Sample Answer

“In five years, I want to be regarded as a competent and trustworthy manager who can be entrusted with overseeing the operations of an entire organization. Additionally, I will have the experience of managing many teams and effectively monitoring their performance. I will have the ability to perform my role effectively in delivering value to the organization.”

15. When Have You Used Your Initiative To Solve A Team Management Issue Or Problem?

Here, the interviewer seeks to assess your capability to initiate things independently.

Tip 1: Describe an initiative you began to solve a team problem

Tip 2: Be brief and honest with your answer

Sample Answer

“During my previous role, I discovered that my team required a better training program to track operations. As a leader in designing training programs, it was my responsibility to develop the program. So I designed an effective and easy-to-understand program that incorporated all areas of operation. In the end, the team loved the program and felt greatly empowered after being trained using the guide.”

16. As An Operations Manager, How Can You Motivate Your Team To Attain The Strategic Objectives?

Here, the interviewer wants to know the strategies you would use to motivate your team.

Tip 1: Show that you have both interpersonal and leadership styles

Tip 2: Demonstrate your ability to motivate others

Sample Answer

“As an operation manager, I will lead by example to demonstrate to my team what they should do. I will try to know and understand every worker while uncovering what each one is passionate about. I will also seek to know how each of them prefers to be recognized. By offering them the right recognition and tasks they enjoy, they will be motivated, and together we will achieve the organization’s objectives.”

17. During Your Previous Assignment, What Frustrating Experience Did You Have During Your Daily Routine And How Did You Address It?

Here, the interviewer wants to know whether you have encountered unpleasing things in management.

Tip 1: Describe a very frustrating experience

Tip 2: Be brief and state how you addressed the matter

Sample Answer

“During my previous role, the management did not give me support and direction. In particular, they provided inadequate money for hiring staff. Working with less staff would have delayed the achievement of departmental targets. But I aggressively engaged the management and persuaded them to change their stand. I devised a roadmap and detailed proposal through which I managed to convince the management. Thus, they approved the proposal. I got their support, and they provided adequate money that allowed me to execute my plan and move things as planned.”

18. Which Extreme Challenge Did You Come Across During Your Last Role, And How Did You Solve It?

Here, the interviewer will test you if you have problem-solving skills and whether you can deal with unpredicted events in a professional manner.

Tip 1: Describe a major challenge you have experienced in your work

Tip 2: Provide the solution you applied to overcome the challenge

Sample Answer

“During my last assignment, I experienced problems with the operations of the process call center. There were a lot of complaints from most of our customers. After probing the matter, I discovered the center had few staff and we couldn’t meet most of our service-level agreements (SLA). I addressed the issue by coaching and training staff, rearranging the staff roster, and assigning roles based on a person’s skill set. This improved productivity and helped to solve the problem completely.”

19. Some Employees Stick To Old Procedures And Become Very Resistant To Change. How Would You Inspire Such People To Adopt Change?

Through this question, the interviewer seeks to understand whether you can implement change.

Tip 1: Describe how you can motivate employees to adopt change

Tip 2:  Be brief with your answer and include all important details

Sample answer

“The first thing I will do is understand why staff opts for their old procedures over the new ones. I will then explain my rationale for the new procedures and provide the basic training required for them to adapt and excel in the new way of doing things. Moreover, I will motivate them by developing a key performance indicator (KPI) for identifying those that have changed successfully. I will also provide a reward to the changed employees.”

20. Which Area Of This Role Do You Consider Most Challenging And How Can You Address It?

Here, the interviewer is interested in knowing whether you can handle challenges at work.

Tip 1: Describe a context that operations managers find challenging

Tip 2: Offer a solution that you can apply to overcome the challenge

Sample Answer “I anticipate the challenge of handling dishonest employees. While during the hiring process, one does not expect an individual to become dishonest, this is not always the case. Some workers become deceitful and corrupt by taking the company’s supplies or cash. To address that, I would ensure that every employee understands the acceptable behavior and acts against the company’s policy. I would also ensure that workers understand the consequence of dishonesty.”

Conclusion

These are a few interview questions for operations managers that you need to prepare before attending an interview. Hopefully, these operations management interview questions will help you land your next dream job.