Question 1 (20 marks) With reference to the case study provided and using examples of your choice, critically discuss the challenges that operations managers in the manufacturing sector have been exposed to over the past 3 years and provide recommendations of the mitigation factors that should be considered in addressing the stated challenges. Your response should only refer to challenges within the scope of the operations management function Introduction In light of global trends and disruptions, operations functions such as procurement, supply chain, and manufacturing are at the forefront of managing challenges and finding new ways of working. The COVID- 19 pandemic, according to the case study, has accelerated the pace of change, creating an inflection point. Companies have relied on their operations functions not only to keep day-to-day operations running which has been difficult, but also to position the company to survive and grow in the post- pandemic world. (Atasu, et al., 2020:45). There are numerous challenges that operations managers face on a daily basis, and in this discussion, we will highlight the challenges that operations managers in the manufacturing sector have faced over the last three years, as well as provide recommendations for mitigation factors that should be implemented. (Lohmer & Lesch, 2020:23)