What Does A Sales Manager Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, OverviewLeave a Comment

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Sales Managers

Sales Managers 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.

Salary
$147580
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Sales Managers 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.

  • Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale.
  • Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
  • Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase.
  • Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Sales Managers direct clerical staff to keep records of export correspondence, bid requests, and credit collections, and to maintain current information on tariffs, licenses, and restrictions. They oversee regional and local sales managers and their staff.

A typical day for a Sales Manager will also include:

  • Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale.
  • Direct, coordinate, and review activities in sales and service accounting and record-keeping, and in receiving and shipping operations.
  • Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
  • Assess marketing potential of new and existing store locations, considering statistics and expenditures.
  • Determine price schedules and discount rates.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Sales Managers also review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability. They may also confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment and customer specifications.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Sales Managers resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service. They might also direct, coordinate, and review activities in sales and service accounting and record-keeping, and in receiving and shipping operations.

In addition, they confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them represent the company at trade association meetings to promote products.

To some Sales Managers, it is also their responsibility to oversee regional and local sales managers and their staff.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

Low

75% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.


Abrams Roofing

I’m working as a sales manager with Abraham Roofing. We work in the roofing and flooring industry. My Typical Day I’m responsible for all day-to-day activities in our store. I have to oversee new roofing designs, I have to make sure our inventory levels are always correct, I have to find new ways to attract … Read More


Adult Diapers 365

I’m Damian, the Sales Manager of an E-Commerce company called Adult Diapers 365. I have been working in this role for 2 years now, and can say that my journey has been one topsy-turvy ride! So much to do; so little time. Responding to customer queries My Typical Day My typical day at work is … Read More


Hirebook.com

Keep in mind, as a sales manager, your job is to enable your sales team – not to close deals. My Typical Day A typical day is fully built around helping your team members succeed, and that falls into 3 major chunks: coaching your team members, removing barriers for them, and admin work. Coaching your … Read More


seoplus+

I work for a relatively small company, so as a Sales Manager, I will do a lot of direct selling work. This is very common with small to medium-sized businesses (the head of sales is still swelling and working with clients). I spend a lot of my day in meetings, so this may not be … Read More


Westland Auto Sales, a buy-here-pay-here used car dealership

My name is Mark Beneke. I am the co-owner and previous sales/finance manager of two buy-here-pay-here used car dealerships, Westland Auto Sales, in Fresno, CA. We’ve been in business since 2007 and specialize in providing quality vehicles and financing to people with less-than-stellar credit. I overlooked the hiring, training, management of salespeople, and desking of … Read More


Fleetcover

My typical day My alarm goes off at 6am and I hit the gym before work. I check my emails before arriving at work to see what the day has already got in store. If I’m working in the office, I then arrive and work through my emails and existing client accounts. As a Sales … Read More


Sandbar Solar & Electric

Morning I start my mornings responding to customer emails and follow-up calls. By 9am I’m usually working on the following projects: Coaching my sales team on how to optimize their work efforts Developing marketing programs to increase Sandbar’s brand awareness and increase new leads (customer inquiries) Revising proposals for customers that I’m working with directly … Read More


Spacehuntr

I work as a networking/sales agent between our event venue partners and clients who are looking to book a venue for a variety of different reasons. It contains a lot of working with a variety of different nationalities. The multicultural and intense work environment is something I love. Concerning specific tasks. I email and call … Read More


A major European organic infant nutrition producer

I spent 18 years working in FMCG, in infant nutrition for a major European organic producer as Head of Sales for their Eastern Division (Eastern Europe, Near East, Asia). Working in international sales and business development means that there’s almost no such thing as a typical day. There are office days and there are field … Read More


CFR Rinkens

My name is Joseph Giranda and I’m the Director of Commercial Relations at CFR Rinkens, a global leader in the shipping of commercial cargo, specializing in the containerized shipping of motor vehicles. The shipping industry has many different aspects to it, and what your day looks like will vary by department. Our sales team handles … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

One of the highest-paid careers in the world.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$147580 per year

Average hourly wage

$71 per hour

Entry-level Sales Managers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $63,170 to $89,720 per year or $30 to $43 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $208,000+ $100+
Senior (Top 25%) $185,200 $89
Median $132,290 $64
Junior (Bottom 25%) $89,720 $43
No experience (Bottom 10%) $63,170 $30

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Sales Managers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing $218700 $105.14
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities $214310 $103.03
Scientific Research and Development Services $197170 $94.80
Cable and Other Subscription Programming $188820 $90.78
Motion Picture and Video Industries $187680 $90.23
Other Information Services $187250 $90.03
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities $176560 $84.88
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing $174760 $84.02
Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing $174150 $83.72
Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging $174080 $83.69

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Sales Managers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Sales Managers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Management of Companies and Enterprises 28190 $161050 $77.43
Computer Systems Design and Related Services 23780 $170900 $82.16
Automobile Dealers 22010 $132980 $63.93
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 17380 $146400 $70.38
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 14130 $133270 $64.07
Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers 13260 $155050 $74.54
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services 10260 $164480 $79.08
Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers 10000 $154510 $74.28
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities 8780 $214310 $103.03
Insurance Carriers 8600 $170690 $82.06

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
5%

40 hours
9%

More than 40 hours
86%

Working schedule

74%

22%

4%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
18%

Every day
59%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
0%

Once a year
35%

Once a month
43%

Once a week
9%

Every day
13%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
0%

Slightly competitive
0%

Moderately competitive
9%

Highly competitive
68%

Extremely competitive
23%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
14%

Once a year or more
14%

Once a month or more
14%

Once a week or more
27%

Every day
32%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
48%

Once a year or more
30%

Once a month or more
4%

Once a week or more
17%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
43%

Once a year or more
22%

Once a month or more
13%

Once a week or more
17%

Every day
4%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
48%

Once a year or more
26%

Once a month or more
9%

Once a week or more
17%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
0%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
4%

Associate’s Degree or similar
13%

Bachelor’s Degree
65%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
9%

Master’s Degree
9%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Marketing/Marketing Management

A program that generally prepares individuals to undertake and manage the process of developing consumer audiences and moving products from producers to consumers. Includes instruction in buyer behavior and dynamics, principle of marketing research, demand analysis, cost-volume and profit relationships, pricing theory, marketing campaign and strategic planning, market segments, advertising methods, sales operations and management, consumer relations, retailing, and applications to specific products and markets.

Business/Commerce

A program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and nonprofit public and private institutions and agencies. The programs may prepare individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.

Business Administration and Management

A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. Includes instruction in management theory, human resources management and behavior, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.


Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management

A program that combines the study of basic and pharmaceutical sciences with marketing and management studies; and that prepares individuals for careers in pharmaceutical sales, marketing, management, and related fields within the health care industry. Includes instruction in biology, chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, health care systems, issues and structure of pharmaceutical industry, management, pharmaceutical marketing, pharmaceutical and medical product management, and legal issues.

Consumer Merchandising/Retailing Management

A program that focuses on product and service promotion from the perspective of individual and family consumers and that prepares individuals to function as consumer management and marketing consultants in for-profit and non-profit enterprises. Includes instruction in applied market research, consumer behavior, product sourcing and distribution, profitability, customer feedback and evaluation methods, promotion and retailing campaign development, and applications to specific domestic and international consumer markets.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
0%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
4%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
13%

2 to 4 years
13%

4 to 6 years
26%

6 to 8 years
35%

8 to 10 years
9%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
17%

1 to 3 months
26%

3 to 6 months
13%

6 months to 1 year
30%

1 to 2 years
9%

2 to 4 years
4%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
43%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
29%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
29%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
52%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
100%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
67%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
76%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
79%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
67%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
57%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
76%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
81%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


Don’t know which career to pursue?

Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

Take The Career Quiz

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.