Sales Manager

What a Sales Manager Does

Sales managers supervise other sales representatives so that products and services are effectively, efficiently directed towards consumers. They help sales representatives develop strategies for increasing sales, train sales representatives, and manage whole territories of goods, services, sales teams and even other managers. Setting and reaching specifically planned-out sales goals is a big part of the job for sales managers, who also work directly with suppliers, dealers and distributors. Sales managers must also be able to analyze sales reports and create their own reports and surveys based on past sales and future goals and projections. Stress, long hours and overtime, and travel are also part of the job for sales managers as they pay visits to distribution plants, other sales territories, and regional offices.

How to Become a Sales Manager

At least a bachelor's degree is required to become a sales manager, and students who choose major in business or marketing will find that they planned out the most direct career prep track. Taking classes in related areas like math, statistics, finance, management, and accounting will also be useful with on-the-job problems and tasks, as well communicating to a hiring manager your skills and education. It is common for sales managers to start their careers as sales representatives and then work their way up to management and supervisory positions after a few years of working in the field. Good personality traits of sales managers are a knack for organization, conflict resolution skills, the ability to lead large groups of people, and the ability to keep track of data and information. Depending on your exact industry and location, being able to speak a foreign language may also serve you well in your career preparation and continuing education.

Career Outlook for Sales Managers

Sales managers held about 346,900 in the United States as of May 2008. Most sales managers work in industries like wholesale trade, retail trade, finance, insurance and manufacturing. Sales managers shouldn't expect to experience much downsizing in the near future, and are less likely to be outsourced than other jobs. There is significant competition for these jobs, but an increase of 51,800 jobs is expected to occur through 2018, or a 15% growth in employment. Sales managers working for professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers earned an average yearly salary of $125,130, followed by managers employed by wholesale, electronic markets, and agents and brokers, who earned $114,670. Automobile dealers paid their sales managers $107,500, while department stores paid an average of $54,560 to their sales managers. Your exact salary will vary depending on your education, experience, industry and location.