Under direct supervision, an operations clerk works in the operations department. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide administrative support to an entire operations team, an operations manager, or a member of the executive team, depending on the needs and setup of the company. Operations clerks work in a wide range of industries and professions. This position is sometimes referred to as an executive secretary.
In their daily duties, operations clerks have a variety of roles and responsibilities. Some clerks, for example, are primarily responsible for administrative tasks like answering phones, taking messages, typing reports and emails, greeting clients, and scheduling appointments for the entire operations team or an operations executive. Others are in charge of planning department meetings, events, and outings, as well as light accounting. Most operations clerks’ primary goal is to ensure that the company’s daily operations and procedures run smoothly.
The majority of businesses hire operations clerks. They are required industrial and manufacturing companies to assist and support top executives and management team members. Financial institutions, hotels, hospitals, educational institutions, government entities, and marketing corporations are all places where they can be found. Some work behind the scenes, while others serve as liaisons between the company’s top executives and the rest of the workforce.
The operations clerk job entails being on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which usually includes overtime. This person must always be available to the operations executive in case of a last-minute emergency or pressing issue. Some operations clerks accompany their executives on business trips, while others remain in charge while the executive is away.
Many operations clerk positions only require a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as basic computer skills. However, the majority of these professionals have worked in other administrative or support roles, such as receptionist or administrative assistant, for several years. Most companies demand that the operations clerk has specific industry experience and a professional background. These clerks must have strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills in addition to hard skill sets and experience. They must have professional demeanors, strong work ethics, and a sense of accountability.
Operations clerks work at a variety of levels. Some people are just starting out in the workforce and need to fill the role of administrative assistant. Others have decades of experience and are regarded as the executive’s personal assistant and confidante. The pay ranges from entry-level to six-figure annual salaries for this position.