What does a Sales Manager do?
Sales Managers work across all industries and serve as the leader for the sales department to help increase revenue. They work closely with other department heads, including the Finance Manager, Customer Service Manager and Marketing Manager, to optimize the company’s sales.
They typically lead the sales department by guiding sales strategies and working closely with the sales staff to develop their skills and increase their sales. Sales Managers may also use various data sources and strategic planning to make decisions for the sales department. The job often involves meetings with sales staff and collaborators to keep updated on progress, share information and brainstorm on how to improve.
Sales Manager skills and qualifications
To drive sales while maintaining good relationships with customers and team members, Sales Managers often need several skills and qualifications, which may include:
- Proven ability to set measurable sales goals, track performance and implement team-wide incentive plans to drive results
- Experience using CRM platforms such as Salesforce, Zoho CRM or Pipedrive to manage pipelines, track customer interactions and support account growth
- Strong analytical skills to interpret sales metrics, identify underperforming segments and uncover emerging market trends
- Familiarity with designing and executing sales strategies, including lead generation plans, territory assignments and upsell tactics
- Mentoring and coaching experience to support skills development and performance improvement among junior sales reps
- Relationship-building skills and emotional intelligence to manage internal dynamics and build trust with clients and partners
- Effective delegation and team management, with the ability to balance individual accountability and collaborative workflows
- Sales forecasting expertise using tools like Excel, CRM dashboards or BI software to project revenue and adjust targets accordingly
Sales Manager experience requirements
It’s common to expect Sales Manager candidates to have previous experience in the sales industry. Having management skills is also an attractive qualification in job seekers. You might look for experience in specific job duties, such as sales quotas and budgeting, or you might prefer candidates who have experience in your specific industry.
To broaden your candidate pool, you might consider looking for applicants who have experience in related fields such as customer service management, business development or even team leadership in non-sales environments. These candidates may possess transferable skills such as communication, negotiation, problem-solving and the ability to motivate and guide a team, all of which are crucial for a successful sales manager.
Additionally, consider candidates from diverse industry backgrounds. Their fresh perspectives can often lead to innovative sales strategies and approaches.
Sales Manager education and training requirements
There are no standard education requirements for Sales Managers, which allows employers to take a skills-first hiring approach. Rather than focusing only on degrees or a certain number of years of experience, you may choose to prioritize practical competencies such as sales forecasting, team leadership, strategic planning and a strong track record of sales performance.
Certifications are also not universally required for Sales Managers. However, depending on the role, it may be helpful if a candidate has received training or certifications in sales-related areas. This might include the Certified Professional Sales Leader credential from the National Association of Sales Professionals.
Sales Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Sales Manager is $92,508 per year. There is a wide range of salaries for this position based on the location, company, industry and experience of the candidate.
Sales Manager salary expectations
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Common salary:
97033.35 YEARLY -
Typical salaries range from
17000.00 -245000.00 YEARLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
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Sales Manager job description FAQs
What is the difference between a Sales Manager and a Marketing Manager?
Sales Managers and Marketing Managers often operate on the same level within an organization. They may work together frequently to help achieve revenue goals. The difference between a Sales Manager and a Marketing Manager is their area of focus and the types of professionals they oversee.
The Sales Manager oversees the company’s sales professionals and manages revenue generated through selling products and services. A Marketing Manager is often in charge of Content Creators, Marketing Specialists and other marketing professionals. They create marketing and advertising campaigns to help encourage customers to make purchases.
What are the daily duties of a Sales Manager?
A Sales Manager’s day might start with checking email to review communications from stakeholders and other department heads. Next, they might review the sales numbers and assess the team’s progress toward the goals. Meetings are often a large part of a Sales Manager’s day.
When they don’t have meetings, Sales Managers might work one-on-one with Sales Representatives to coach them, develop new sales strategies and perform market research.
What qualities make a good Sales Manager?
An effective Sales Manager communicates well, whether persuading a client to make a purchase or coaching a sales team member on new tactics. Being able to motivate a team of individuals with different backgrounds can also help them reach their sales quotas.
A strong knowledge of the company’s products and services is beneficial when working directly with clients or training employees. Strong candidates often have an analytical approach to situations and use data-driven decision-making.
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