MBA in Operations Management: Complete Guide

Operations Management is the process of planning, organizing, and supervising the production of goods and services. To understand the same in simple terms, think of it like cooking a meal. Therein, planning means to decide on the recipe and ingredients, organizing is equivalent to preparing utensils, ingredients, and cooking space, and supervising is to monitor cooking time, temperature, and taste. Businesses can optimize their processes, improve efficiency, and deliver high-quality products and services by working on their operations management.

MBA in Operations Management is a postgraduate degree that focuses on developing skills in managing and optimizing business operations. Let us know more about the same. 

MBA in Operations Management Course

One of the most common specializations among the majority of business schools is an MBA in operations management. This domain offers a global perspective on industry trends to meet client demand. Here is a detailed structure of the course:

Explore more career: Career Options in Business Management and Operations

Overview of an MBA in Operations Management

Students pursuing Operations Management can specialize in particular subjects like Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Transportation, Quality Management, and Project Management. The duration of the full-time program is 2 years.

 Course Eligibility of MBA in Operations Management

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks
• CAT/GMAT/XAT/CMAT score (cut-off varies according to college and student category)
• Work experience (desired but not mandatory)

Admission Process for an MBA in Operations Management

Although the individual process might differ from college to college, however, a general procedure followed by most of them is as follows:

• Application form submission
• Entrance exam score (meeting the required cutoff mark/percentile)
• Group Discussion (GD)
• Personal Interview (PI)

Top Colleges and Fees for MBA in Operations Management

Here are the top colleges for MBA in Operations Management in India with their estimated fees and entrance exam they accept for admission:

COLLEGE NAME	FEES (approximate)	ENTRANCE EXAM
XLRI, Jamshedpur	₹25.8 lakh	XAT
IIM Bangalore	₹24.5 lakh	CAT
IIM Calcutta	₹31 lakh	CAT
IIM Mumbai (NITIE)	₹21 lakh	CAT
SPJIMR, Mumbai	₹24 lakh	CAT, GMAT
JBIMS, Mumbai	₹6 lakh	CAT, CMAT, GMAT, MAT, and MAHCET
IIM Lucknow	₹20.7 lakh	CAT
SJMSOM, IITB	₹14 lakh	CAT
NMIMS, Mumbai	₹23.90 lakh	NMAT
ISB, Hyderabad	₹41.78 lakh	GMAT

Explore Colleges: MBA Courses in India

Syllabus for an MBA in Operations Management

Here is an overview of the MBA in Operations Management semester-wise syllabus:

Semester 1 Syllabus

1. Management Concepts and Practices
2. Operations Management
3. Quantitative Methods for Management
4. Financial Management
5. Marketing Management
6. Organizational Behavior
7. Business Communication
8. Statistics for Management

Semester 2 Syllabus

1. Operations Research
2. Supply Chain Management
3. Production Planning and Control
4. Quality Management
5. Inventory Management
6. Logistics and Transportation Management
7. Procurement and Sourcing
8. Business Analytics

Semester 3 Syllabus

1. Strategic Operations Management
2. Lean Operations
3. Six Sigma
4. Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)
5. Operations Strategy
6. Global Sourcing
7. Risk Management
8. Business Process Re-engineering

Semester 4 Syllabus

• Operations Management Case Studies
• Research Methodology
• Dissertation/Project Work
• Electives (choose 2-3):

– Service Operations Management

Note: The syllabus may vary depending on the institution and location.

Scope and Placement Opportunities After an MBA in Operations Management

An MBA in Operations Management opens up a wide range of career opportunities across various industries. The scope and opportunities in MBA Operations Management are vast and continuously evolving with industry trends. 

Here are some of the top recruiters for MBA graduates specializing in Operations Management:

• Consulting firms (e.g., McKinsey, KPMG)
• Manufacturing companies (e.g., Tata Motors, Hindustan Unilever)
• Logistics and transportation companies (e.g., DHL, FedEx)
• Retail and e-commerce companies (e.g., Amazon, Flipkart)
• Pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline)

These companies are known for their competitive salaries, dynamic career opportunities, and rigorous recruitment processes.

Read Also: Top MBA Specializations

Conclusion

It’s a common misconception that an MBA in Operations management leads to working in the manufacturing industry, which is not valid.

An MBA in operations is suitable for roles in diverse sectors such as wholesale trade, e-commerce companies, pharmaceuticals, and many more. Common job titles offered to MBA graduates in operations include purchasing manager, inventory coordinator, warehouse operations manager, logistics/supply chain manager, operations consultant, and sales or marketing operational manager. Thus, it is an excellent choice for those who wish to play a crucial role in the success of various industries.

Also Read: MBA vs MTech – Which is Better?

FAQs

Which is the toughest course in an MBA?

Accounting & Economics
Despite the strong analytical focus of a Master’s degree in business administration, many people may enter into this program without understanding the extent to which numbers, mathematics, and statistics will be heavily involved. This is what might make it a tough nut to crack!

Which MBA is easy to study?

Since they have more well-established curricula and career trajectories, specializations that concentrate on fundamental business operations like finance or marketing are typically the easiest to study.

Which MBA is easy to study?

The “easiest” MBA to study largely depends on your interests, strengths, and background. The domains like general management, marketing, human resources, and operations management area all subject to relative difficulty as per the individual taking up the area of study.

Is doing an MBA in operations management worth it?

An individual gains analytical and decision-making skills sharper with time. An MBA in Operations provides opportunities for limitless growth and progression. It’s generally synonymous with handsome salaries!