Q1
Walk us through how you would implement a Lean process improvement initiative to reduce waste in our warehouse operations. What metrics would you track, and what tools would you use?
Why they ask this:* They want to assess your knowledge of industry-standard methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma) and your ability to identify KPIs and implement continuous improvement in real operational settings.
Q2
Describe your experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Which systems have you used, and how have you leveraged them to improve inventory management or supply chain visibility?
Why they ask this:* ERP proficiency is critical for mid-level operations managers. This reveals whether you can navigate complex systems, pull data for decision-making, and understand how modules integrate across operations.
Q3
How would you design a scheduling and resource allocation system for a facility with variable demand patterns? What software or framework would you recommend?
Why they ask this:* This tests your understanding of capacity planning, workforce optimization, and demand forecasting—core technical competencies for operations management.
Q4
Explain your approach to root cause analysis when a critical operational failure occurs. What tools would you use, and how would you prevent recurrence?