Why Vanderbilt?
The Operations program focuses on the design and management of the processes by which products are manufactured and services are delivered to customers throughout the world. The faculty strongly believe in learning by doing, so you will be actively involved in experiential learning activities throughout your two years. The operations faculty have won international recognition for their research, teaching and publications, and have made significant contributions to knowledge about time-based competition, manufacturing cells, quality management, learning processes and manufacturing strategy.
Curriculum Focus
Operations Concentration
Hours Required: 12
The most flexible option, with two required operations courses and a variety of electives, allowing you to customize the curriculum to your unique needs.
Managing Operations Specialization
Hours Required: 20
This career specialization is for those students who wish to pursue careers in service operations, manufacturing operations, or in supply chain management and consulting. Graduates from this specialization will be capable of adding value to organizations as operations managers, operations analysts or operations consultants.
Career Opportunities
MBA Operations careers include Operations Management (includes Service Operations, Manufacturing Operations and Logistics) and Strategy/Operations Consulting.
Selected Companies That Hired Owen Students - Operations (2008-09)
| Amazon |
Dell |
HCA |
| Apple |
E & J Gallo |
Humana |
| Chevron |
Emerson |
Johnson & Johnson |
| Coca-Cola Enterprises |
General Mills |
Modern Holdings |
| Deloitte |
Harrah’s Entertainment |
Unum |
Download the Vanderbilt MBA Employment Report
Faculty
 Joseph Blackburn
James A. Speyer Professor of Production Management
|
 Nancy Hyer
Associate Professor of Operations Management
|
 Mumin Kurtulus
Assistant Professor of Operations Management
|
 Michael Lapré
E. Bronson Ingram Associate Professor in Operations Management
|
 Larry LeBlanc
Professor of Operations Management
|
 Gary Scudder
Justin Potter Professor of Operations Management
Faculty Director, International Programs |
Resume-Building Activities
Operations Case Competitions
Owen students took first place at the International Operations Case Competition at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business for two years straight. Continuing the trend of operations excellence, another team of Owen students took home top honors at the fourth annual Global Supply Chain Management MBA Case Competition at Purdue, defeating a competitive group of graduate business students representing 19 of the world’s top MBA programs. The two-phase annual contest is considered among the top case competitions dedicated to operations and supply chain issues.
More Resume-Building Activities
Owen Consulting Club
The OCC helps students prepare for and excel in the competitive consulting industry.
Owen Operations Club
A student group that organizes trips and hosts industry speakers.
Owen Student Government Association
OSGA helps to shape school policies and strengthen Owen’s sense of community.
Meet Students & Alumni
Erika Bacon
Vanderbilt MBA 2010
Business Analyst Intern, Chevron
“(During the Global Supply Chain Management MBA Case Competition,) it hit me that everything we were learning would be applicable in the real world, and that Owen was giving us every tool to succeed.”
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Ryan Conatser
Vanderbilt MBA 2009
Business Planning Intern, Dell
“(Owen has) the perfect combination of reputation, culture and location. There is a feeling of cooperation among students, faculty and staff that I found rare in schools of this caliber… I’ve learned more than I could have imagined.”
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Marlene Marengo
Vanderbilt MBA 2008
Business Analyst – Hermetic Motors Division, Emerson
“The Career Management Center helped me a lot in my internship and full-time search. They advised me very well, and I felt like I was the most valuable candidate for them… My world is different now.”
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Tripp Shubert
Vanderbilt MBA 2010
MBA Operations Summer Intern, Unum
“Soon I hope to shape health care policy and business through the next stages of my professional career.”
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Shuanghui (Liz) Wu
Vanderbilt MBA 2009
Global Supply Manager, Apple
“(Owen) is very challenging, but you also build up your confidence as you learn every day. By the time you graduate, you are well equipped with the knowledge and skills that will benefit you throughout the lifetime of your career.”
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Industry News & Multimedia
Selected Operations Faculty Research and News
Skills Companies Seek
Strategic thinking skills
Ability to tackle complex business problems
Financial/operational analysis
Synthesize analysis & make recommendations
Strong quantitative skills such as statistics and data analysis
Ability to multitask
Project management
Self-starter
Strong initiative
Leadership
Interpersonal & communication skills
Team skills
Flexibility
Develop and deliver presentations
