How o Write a Director of Operations Resume (With Template)

Updated June 10, 2023

Businesses often require someone who can manage and streamline their overall operations. These individuals, typically called the director of operations or operations manager, can have many diverse and significant responsibilities depending on the industry or business size. Knowing how to convey a wide range of experience and skills into a persuasive resume can be important when looking to attract the attention of a potential employer. In this article, we explain what a director of operations does, show you how to create a strong director of operations resume, provide a resume template, and give an example.

What is a director of operations?

As a company grows, employers often look to individuals who can help them expand and oversee the business's day-to-day operations. Typically called a director of operations (DOO), they usually manage several departments while coordinating with various stakeholders and key individuals within an organization. Their responsibilities include ensuring the business functions effectively, and the operations chain runs smoothly. Other responsibilities might include:

Working with HR to hire and train new employees
Developing effective business plans for various departments
Overseeing company product designs, manufacturing, acquisitions, and sales
Analyzing individual departments' revenue margins and operations for profitability
Collaborating with department managers and senior staff to ensure consistent company operations
Working with marketing and sales teams to target specific products or services

How to write a director of operations resume

It can be important when creating a DOO resume to target the vast range of experience and skills needed based on the type and size of the industry. For instance, a large organization may want a DOO who can manage the entire organization's production schedules, collaborate with multiple vendors, and create company policies that align with its vision.

A smaller company might look for someone who can multitask, handle inventory, create budgets, and coordinate with a small team to grow the business. Employers might expect a DOO to have many years of experience and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or master's degree in a related field. Regardless of the business size, an employer might look for a DOO with several key qualities, including effective leadership and exceptional problem-solving and communications skills. Here are some steps to consider when updating or writing a new resume for a director of operations position:

1. Choose the right type of resume

The DOO is an executive-level position, so it's often beneficial for their resume to reflect this. The best option is typically a reverse chronological resume because it presents the work history clearly and concisely. Employers usually look for someone with an impressive professional history and years of experience, so being able to list your professional record, starting with the last or current employer, can often help to highlight this.

2. Use a traditional font and clean format

A professional-looking font, like Times New Roman, Arial, or Cambria, which are traditional and easy to read, can make a resume stand out. While you may have plenty of experience to relay, choosing a format that provides adequate white space is often beneficial so that the resume doesn't look cluttered. Standard one-inch margins can allow you to include your extensive work experience in a two-page summary.

3. Consider an ATS-friendly resume

Many employers use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to scan and rank an applicant's resume to determine whether it's worth a follow-up. If your resume isn't ATS-friendly, the system might reject it before anyone sees it. Every time you apply to a new company, try to tailor your resume to the job's specific requirements, even for the same position. Recruiters use precise keywords they want to see in an applicant's resume, so if you can determine these keywords, you typically have a higher chance of passing the ATS stage.

You can usually do this by reading the job description. For instance, if the posting lists 10 years of experience or an MBA, you can use these keywords in your professional summary. If applicable, notice the skills and job responsibilities in the posting and consider adding these to your skills and responsibilities sections. Look for action verbs like collaborate, implement, or analyze that you can use throughout. ATS typically separates a resume into sections, such as professional experience, skills, education, and certifications, which can help you tailor your resume in these areas.

4. Create a standout professional summary

At this level, a professional summary can be more relevant than a career objective because it can highlight your lengthy accomplishments, which are often more important to an employer. Consider using keywords you identified in the job posting. For example, if the posting lists the keywords experienced, 10-plus years, and leadership, you might say:

Experienced director of operations with an education in environmental engineering and 10-plus years of experience expanding revenues for a large North American-based manufacturer. Looking to leverage my extensive leadership competencies as an operations manager for ABC Enterprises. Regular host and speaker for the national business association's annual awards conference.

5. Outline your career experience

Using the chronological format, detail your career history below the professional summary. Typically, this format allows you to describe your most relevant previous positions, so consider listing between two to five that correspond to the job requirements. You can use bullet points to outline the essential responsibilities and notable accomplishments for each position, including ATS keywords and action verbs. Consider using quantifiable, results-driven, and engaging wording to describe your successes.

6. Outline your professional credentials and education

Chronological resumes commonly list professional credentials and education right below professional experience. Showcase any formal credentials, like an MBA or an LLB, and the institution you attended. For instance, if you graduated summa cum laude, you can add this here. Where applicable, you can tailor this section to ATS keywords.

7. List core competencies

Core competencies or skills typically appear last in a chronological resume because they can highlight your key talents and experience for a recruiter. Try to include as many of the ATS keywords that apply to your situation. Some general core competency examples include:

Analyze and interpret data to identify market trends and anticipate downturns
Develop and maintain large manufacturing and distribution supply chains
Enhance organization and individual department workflows
Implement and oversee department budgets and corporate revenues
Optimize production costs
Increase overall customer satisfaction and enhance corporate branding

8. Meticulously edit and proofread your resume

As a potential DOO, you typically want to let a recruiter know you notice the finer details and take the time to ensure everything is correct. It's important to ensure no errors or spelling mistakes, so review your resume several times. Thoroughly check the document for awkward wording, spelling errors, and proper grammatical structure. If possible, have someone else read it and run it through a professional editing tool. When you're sure it's perfect and looks professional, save it in its original format, and as a PDF, so you have both, depending on how the employer wants you to submit your documents.

Director of operations resume template

You can use this reverse chronological resume template as a general guide for creating and tailoring a professional DOO resume for each new employer:

[Your full name]
[Phone number]| [E-mail address]
[City, province or territory]

Professional summary

[Professional introduction or statement] [Add a quantifiable practical example of your most significant accomplishment in a previous position]

Work experience

[Position or title]
[Employer name, dates of employment]

[core responsibility or achievement]
[core responsibility or achievement]
[core responsibility or achievement]

[Position or title]
[Employer name, dates of employment]

[core responsibility or achievement]
[core responsibility or achievement]
[core responsibility or achievement]

Education and credentials

[degree or certificate earned, dates]

[College, university, or educational institution]

[degree or certificate earned, dates]

[College, university, or educational institution]

Relevant skills

[ability, talent or learned skill]
[ability, talent or learned skill]
[ability, talent or learned skill]

Example director of operations resume

Here's an example of a reverse chronological DOO resume you can edit and use as a guide:

Molly Lecter
123-456-7890 | mollylecter@email.com | Toronto, ON

Professional Summary

An operations manager with 10-plus years of experience enhancing excellence, production costs, and sales revenue for luxury car manufacturers. Looking to increase operations results for Drive Corporation.

Work Experience

Director of Operations
Luxury Automotive Corp., Toronto, ON
Jan. 2012–Feb. 2022

Implemented a new manufacturing process that turned a $1 million deficit into $3 million in profits in two years
Increased production capacity by 15% while reducing costs by 30%
Expanded scheduled preventive maintenance on the production floor by 20%, lowering unexpected material downtimes and increasing quarterly outputs by 15%
Established and enforced new performance specifications and procedural modifications to boost production

Operations Manager
CAR Automotive, Corp.
Aug. 2008–Dec. 2011

Increased safety protocols throughout five manufacturing plants, reducing the accident ratio by 80%
Introduced Six Sigma and lean manufacturing processes that cut labour costs by 30%
Enhanced CAR Automotive manufacturing outputs and plant functions, lowering overall expenses and optimizing end processes, quality, and costs

Education

MBA Supply Chain Management
UBT, Ottawa, ON
Graduated: June 2005 summa cum laude

Academic Excellence Fellowship 2004
Governor General's Academic Medal 2005

Additional Activities

Chairman, University Children's Charity
Member, Business Council of Canada

Core Skills

Quality assurance, data analysis, supply chain management, project management

Certifications

Certified Supply Chain Manager (CSCM)
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt (LSSMBB)