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Life As a Sales Manager

Occupation Description Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

A Day in the Life of a Sales Manager

  • Direct clerical staff to keep records of export correspondence, bid requests, and credit collections, and to maintain current information on tariffs, licenses, and restrictions.
  • Advise dealers and distributors on policies and operating procedures to ensure functional effectiveness of business.
  • Visit franchised dealers to stimulate interest in establishment or expansion of leasing programs.
  • Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
  • Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
  • Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale.

What a Sales Manager Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Sales Managers say are important on the job.

Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Types of Sales Manager

  • Department Store Manager
  • Business Development Executive
  • Global Account Manager (GAM)
  • Sales Officer
  • National Account Manager

Are There Job Opportunities for Sales Managers?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 385,500 jobs in the United States for Sales Manager. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 28,900 new jobs for Sales Manager by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 36,300 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Sales Manager are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Sales Manager

The salary for Sales Managers ranges between about $58,940 and $208,000 a year.

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Sales Managers who work in New York, Delaware, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Sales Managers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $115,750
Alaska $109,210
Arizona $113,430
Arkansas $119,090
California $134,010
Colorado $160,320
Connecticut $152,760
Delaware $174,940
District of Columbia $132,870
Florida $125,050
Georgia $140,820
Hawaii $101,480
Idaho $103,780
Illinois $131,400
Indiana $129,020
Iowa $117,170
Kansas $147,230
Kentucky $121,260
Louisiana $106,850
Maine $121,130
Maryland $147,530
Massachusetts $151,010
Michigan $142,340
Minnesota $132,420
Mississippi $108,100
Missouri $133,570
Nebraska $107,030
New Hampshire $152,120
New Jersey $168,950
New Mexico $105,240
New York $198,390
North Carolina $147,690
North Dakota $108,500
Ohio $134,600
Oklahoma $111,360
Oregon $126,340
Pennsylvania $151,620
Rhode Island $161,970
South Carolina $118,750
South Dakota $128,760
Tennessee $111,700
Texas $148,000
Utah $122,190
Vermont $140,260
Virginia $170,760
Washington $140,700
West Virginia $102,280
Wisconsin $135,940
Wyoming $117,350

What Tools do Sales Managers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Sales Managers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Data entry software
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Project
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • SAS
  • Facebook
  • IBM Notes

How do I Become a Sales Manager?

What education or degrees do I need to become a Sales Manager?

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What work experience do I need to become a Sales Manager?

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References:

Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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