Roles and Characteristics of a Leader and a Manager in Operations Management

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATION
Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager...........................................3
P2 Analyze the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational
contexts...................................................................................................................................5
P3 Different theories and models of approach.......................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play7
P5 The importance and value of operation management in achieving business objectives...9
P6. The factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision-making by leaders and managers....................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is a field which is concerned with planning, organizing and
supervision while producing or manufacturing of the services. It ensures that a company must
successfully turns an input into output by using efficient means. It is related with the conversion
of goods and material to maximize the profit that will enhance the value of the company
(Balasubramaniam and et. al., 2016). The present assignment is based on Marks and Spencer
which is a British Retailer company, situated in London and manufacturer of luxurious food and
home products and clothing. This report includes the features and role of a manager and leader in
different situations and conditions. Along with it, it involves several theories and approaches like
situational, system and contingency. Key approaches of operation management and role of
manager and leader is also discussed. At last, importance of operational management in
achieving desired objectives along with impacts of roles played by leader and manager is
discussed.
TASK 1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Operational management includes the main purposes of the firm that supports in creating,
managing and using the resources in a maximize manner. In this process, manager carryout
various tasks such as plan, organize, control and monitor entire operations within the business. It
benefits in delivering standardized products to the potential clients. In context of M&S, which is
one of largest retailer in UK which carryout operational activities in many countries (Fayol,
2016). M&S adopts flat organizational structure which possess limited levels of management.
This structure motivates the employees to take part in decision making. It reduces bureaucracy
and enhances the skills and capabilities of employees because they are allowed to share their
point of views freely. Communication among top management and lower level is good due to
limited management level. It has a pyramidal shape but flatter due to reduced management
levels. In this executive is at top and manager and head at lower level. In this, both leader and
manager plays vital role to carryout operations of company.
Leader: A leader is a person who leads, commands and direct an organisation or a team. Person
who leads or convinces other people to work towards a common organisational objective. There
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are some vital functions played by an effective leader which helps M&S to fight against rival
organisation.
Manager: A manager is a person who take charge of certain group of task of a company. It is a
person who manages organisational function and is responsible for a part of an organisation.
Duty of a manager includes managing employees and company on daily basis (Giuliani and et.
al., 2015). Manager must be a good communicator which results in better productivity outcome.
It is very essential for Marks and Spencer manager to possess a great and effective managerial
skills. It will help in generating more efficient result for organisation.
Roles and function of manager:
Manager of M&S plays several roles for managing the activities at workplace. Some of
them are mentioned below:
Informational role: It is an essential role where the M&S’s manager provides important
information to both workers and leaders to achieve the goals within the predetermined period of
time.
Interpersonal role: To enhance the productivity of employees, manager of M&S needs to build
a positive and friendly atmosphere within the company. Also, relation among employees is
maintained by the managers.
Roles of leader:
Main task of leader is to lead employees to attain business objectives, to achieve this
leader follows below mentioned functions:
Communication: Leaders in M&S have efficient communications skills which encourage
worker to work in collaboration. Also, by interacting well, proper policies and strategies can be
formulated which help in appropriate functioning within the firm.
Decision maker: Leader with developed decision-making ability can help an organisation to
achieve its objective effectively and efficiently. Leaders of Marks and Spencer can strengthen
their ability to access the quality of their decision by having efficiency in leadership skills. It will
enhance their strategic ability and implement a well-structured decision-making process in
workplace.
Characteristics of manager and leader:
Manager: It is must for manager of M&S to have efficient interaction skills which supports the
firm in maintaining relation among workers. It will also help in delivering important information
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