All About Sales Managers
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.
Daily Life Of a Sales Manager
- Assess marketing potential of new and existing store locations, considering statistics and expenditures.
- Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase.
- Confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment and customer specifications.
- Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
- Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
- Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
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Sales Manager Skills
When polled, Sales Managers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Sales Manager
- Sales Administrator
- Zone Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Sales Supervisor
- Utility Sales and Service Manager
Sales Manager Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 385,500 jobs for Sales Manager in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 36,300 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
How Much Does a Sales Manager Make?
The salary for Sales Managers ranges between about $58,940 and $208,000 a year.
Sales Managers who work in New York, Delaware, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sales Managers make 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Sales Managers
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
- SAS
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
How do I Become a Sales Manager?
Are there Sales Managers education requirements?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Sales Manager?
Sales Managers Sector
Below are examples of industries where Sales Managers work:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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