A happy, experienced and professional office manager or assistant can be the foundation of a positive and productive work environment. We are proud of our collaboration with Glycom, who over the years have professionalized their office operations by, among other things, recruiting the right profile to be in charge of the daily office operations.
Nora Mezo from Glycom gives us insight into how the right person can make a big difference in the daily operations and act as a supporting pillar in the office operations.
Glycom is an innovative biotech company and Nora's role at Glycom is Facility, EHS and Site Security Manager. Her workday is never the same and she often has to deal with unforeseen tasks that require her immediate attention. That's why Nora's right hand in office management, Charm, is indispensable when it comes to taking care of daily tasks and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Based on the conversation with Nora - and our experience across our 500+ customers - we have created a profile of the perfect Office Manager. Here are the qualities and qualifications you should look for:
Nora emphasizes the importance of having a service-minded approach and being ready to help your colleagues. An office manager is responsible for both ensuring that the office area runs smoothly and that employees' needs are met - because as Nora puts it:
"Happy colleagues, happy customers".
The ideal candidate is energetic, positive and full of ideas. Having a proactive approach and being able to contribute positively to the work environment is a huge bonus. Nora points out how Charm's positive attitude and ability to generate ideas to improve the workplace makes her an incredibly valuable resource.
Effective communication is essential for coordinating with suppliers, employees and management. Therefore, being able to communicate clearly and confidently both verbally and in writing is essential.
The ideal candidate must have a keen eye for detail and be meticulous and committed to maintaining high standards. The role of Office Manager is often dynamic in nature, so it's important to be adaptable and able to handle changing priorities and unforeseen challenges.
Nora points out how having a background incustomer service or hospitality is a huge plus, as previous experience in a related field will clearly benefit you. The position of Office Manager is hugely important and shouldn't be thrust upon just anyone. It's crucial to find someone who is dedicated to the role and who will take on the job with enthusiasm and a desire to contribute to employee wellbeing and office operations.
There you have it, the recipe for the perfect Office Manager/Assistant. These are the qualities you should be looking for when you need someone to fill this crucial role.
If you need input on the job description itself, you can find it inthis article.