Manager of Sales

Your Fit

Income

$84K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

-2.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Manager of Sales?

A Manager of Sales is a professional responsible for directing an organization's sales team, developing sales strategies, and maximizing revenue growth. They play a crucial role in building and maintaining customer relationships and achieving sales targets.

Sample job titles:

Customer Service Supervisor, Reservations Supervisor, Sales Leader, Sales Supervisor

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Manager of Sales.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Manager of Sales earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$49K per year	$63K per year	$84K per year	$118K per year	$162K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $35K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Manager of Sales do?

Work environment

Sales Managers typically work in an office setting but may travel to meet with clients or sales representatives. The environment is often fast-paced and goal-oriented, requiring a focus on customer service, market trends, and sales targets.

Quick task list

Develops and implements sales strategies and plans.
Sets sales goals and analyzes performance data.
Trains and oversees the sales team.
Builds and maintains relationships with key clients and partners.
Monitors market trends and competitor activity.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

B2B Sales Management: Focusing on business-to-business sales strategies and client relations.
Retail Sales Management: Specializing in managing sales in retail environments.
International Sales Management: Handling sales operations across different countries and cultures.
Technical Sales Management: Overseeing sales of technical or specialized products.
E-commerce Sales Management: Managing online sales strategies and digital marketing.

Description

Sales Managers are pivotal in driving a company's revenue and growth. They must possess a deep understanding of their products or services, the market, and customer needs. This role involves strategic thinking to develop effective sales plans and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

Effective leadership and communication skills are crucial, as Sales Managers need to motivate and guide their teams towards achieving sales targets. They are also responsible for recruiting, training, and evaluating sales staff, ensuring that the team's skills and efforts align with the company's goals.

The role requires a blend of analytical skills to interpret market data and make informed decisions, and interpersonal skills to maintain strong client relationships. A successful Sales Manager is proactive, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Driving the success and growth of a business.
Leading and developing a successful sales team.
Building lasting relationships with clients and partners.

You might make a good Manager of Sales if you are...

Confident and driven, with a passion for sales and marketing.
A strong leader who can inspire and motivate a team.
Analytical, with a knack for understanding market trends and data.
Excellent at communication and relationship-building.
Adaptable and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Pros:

Opportunity to significantly impact a company's success.
High earning potential with bonuses based on sales performance.
Diverse work experience with opportunities for travel and networking.

Cons:

High-pressure environment with challenging sales targets.
Long hours and potential for extensive travel.
Constant need to adapt to changing market conditions and technologies.

How to become a Manager of Sales

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field is typically required, amounting to about 4 years of post-secondary education. Additional training or experience in sales and marketing is also highly valued.

High school preparation

Courses:

Business Studies to understand the basics of business operations and management.
Economics to gain insights into market trends and consumer behavior.
Mathematics for developing analytical skills crucial in data interpretation and sales forecasting.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining business clubs or organizations, like DECA or Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
Participating in sales or marketing competitions.
Volunteering or internships in local businesses to gain practical experience.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, finance, or a related field.
Gain experience through internships or part-time jobs in sales or customer service.
Attend workshops or seminars on sales techniques, digital marketing, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

More resources

Sales Management Association - Provides resources, research, and training for sales management professionals.
American Marketing Association (AMA) - Offers a wealth of resources, networking opportunities, and educational content in marketing and sales.
HubSpot Sales Blog - Offers insights and tips on sales strategies and trends.
LinkedIn Learning - Provides online courses in sales management, digital marketing, and related fields.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.