The “operations” function of any organization does what the organization is “in business” to do. If the organization is a manufacturing company, then it’s operations that manufactures the products. If the organization is a service provider, then operations provides the services. Operations “management” involves managing operations.

PhD Program The program of study for a Ph.D. in Operations Management is designed to achieve two goals: First, to help each student develop her/himself into a first-class researcher; second, to help each student develop her/his skills in teaching operations management. Applicants should have a solid background in engineering, applied mathematics, and/or operations research. Work experience in operations management is very desirable. A strong work ethic is essential.

More detailed information can be found at the Ph.D. Program in Operations Management Web page. Additional information can be found at the Krannert Ph.D. Programs Web page.

Masters Program The Operations Management Option (major) in the Krannert MBA Program is designed to prepare Masters students to be leaders in their operations management careers. In recognition of this, US News and World Report magazine consistently ranks the Krannert’s Production/Operations Program in the “Top 5”. The Krannert “ OM ” faculty have unique strengths in supply-chain, logistics, and e-commerce operations management, but every important topic in operations management is covered in our state-of-the-art courses.

Operations Club The Krannert Graduate School of Management Operations Club helps students gain the industry exposure needed to be effective managers in the workplace. We do this by providing guest speakers, kaizen events, plant tours, case competitions, workshops, meetings with alumni, and numerous leadership opportunities. We also serve as the student chapter of the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) for Purdue University.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Krannert MBA Operations Management option has been recognized for its excellence by every national publication that ranks such options/programs/specialty areas.  Recent examples are:  In 2007 and 2006 the Wall Street Journal ranked our option #3; in 2008 and 2007, US News and Word Report ranked our option #3.  In 2006, US News and Word Report ranked our option #2.

The Wall Street Journal ranked Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management as a #1 MBA program in a special section in both 2004 and 2005.

Krannert Operations Management students enjoy an affiliation with the Global Supply Chain Management Initiative and the Purdue Center for International Business and Economic Research (CIBER), whose programs provide intellectual and financial resources to support Operations Management.

Rankings in the News