Production Engineer → IT Operations Manager

A realistic transition from Production Engineer to IT Operations Manager: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 38%. Difficulty: Hard.

Difficulty: Hard6 stepsDuration: 16 to 20 monthsOverlap: 38%

Transition from Production Engineer to IT Operations Manager.

Transferable skills

  • Operations management
  • People management
  • Vendor management

Skills to learn

  • SLA & KPI
  • ITIL
  • Budget
  • Strategy
  • Risk

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your Production Engineer experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Operations management
    • People management
    • Vendor management

    Map transferable skills — Operations management, People management, Vendor management — against what an IT Operations Manager needs.

  2. 2. Learn the core of the IT Operations Manager role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • SLA & KPI
    • ITIL
    • Budget

    Technologies

    Power BIExcelJira

    Cover the biggest gaps first: SLA & KPI, ITIL, Budget.

  3. 3. Master advanced IT Operations Manager skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Strategy
    • Risk

    Technologies

    ConfluenceTeamsOffice 365

    Handle the advanced topics: Strategy, Risk.

  4. 4. Get productive with the IT Operations Manager toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    Power BIExcelJiraConfluenceTeamsOffice 365SlackMFA

    Be hands-on with Power BI, Excel, Jira and the rest of the target stack.

  5. 5. Practise IT Operations Manager work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on IT Operations Manager tasks at work.

  6. 6. Get certified and position yourself as a IT Operations Manager

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    ITIL 4 Strategic LeaderPRINCE2 PractitionerPMP

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around IT Operations Manager, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes