Discover the role of sales managers and learn what their daily tasks look like, what the job requirements typically are, and how to hire the best in the field.
What is a Sales Manager?
A sales manager is a key member of a company's sales team who is responsible for leading and managing the sales department. They oversee the sales process from start to finish, including developing sales strategies, setting sales targets, and managing sales personnel. Sales managers also analyze market trends and customer needs to identify potential opportunities for growth and adjust strategies accordingly.
They work closely with other departments such as marketing and customer service to ensure that the sales team is aligned with the overall goals of the organization. Successful sales managers are skilled communicators, motivators, and problem solvers who are dedicated to achieving their targets and driving revenue growth for their company.
If you are looking for a job as a sales manager, you can check out the open positions below.
How Much Does a Sales Manager Make?
The salary of a sales manager varies depending on a number of factors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2021, the median annual wage for sales managers in the United States was $142,390, with the lowest 10% earning less than $64,080 and the highest 10% earning more than $208,000. Overall, sales managers in industries such as securities, commodity contracts, and financial services tend to earn the highest salaries.
- Nissan - $143,608
- Dell Technologies - $117,114
- IBM - $113,671
- Samsung Electronics - $$111,581
What are the Job Responsibilities of a Sales Manager?
Sales managers are responsible for leading and managing the sales team to meet revenue targets and drive business growth. As such, they have several responsibilities, including the following.
- Developing and implementing sales strategies.
- Setting sales targets.
- Working with their team to develop sales plans that align with the company's overall goals.
- Analyzing market trends and customer needs to identify potential opportunities for growth and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Recruiting, training, and managing sales staff, as well as evaluating their performance and providing coaching and feedback.
- Working closely with other departments such as marketing, customer service, and finance to ensure that the sales team is aligned with the overall goals of the organization.
Overall, sales managers play a crucial role in driving revenue growth and ensuring the long-term success of their company.
Meeting a Sales Manager
It’s one thing to know the requirements of a role — it’s another to see yourself in it. At The Org, we believe that putting faces to the job title can provide more context and a better sense of how the role fits into the big picture.
Explore live positions for sales managers and meet the people behind the title here.
Tips for Recruiting an Excellent Sales Manager
Recruiting a talented and effective sales manager is critical to the success of any business, and there are several tips to keep in mind when undertaking this important task.
- Remember: It’s not ALL about sales. While sales are the primary focus, it’s important to remember during recruiting that leadership is just as important. Be sure to highlight this fact in your job ad and prioritize it alongside strong communication skills.
- Consider internal talent. Sometimes it makes the most sense to promote from within. So, we encourage recruiters to consider existing sales staff when hiring a talented sales manager. If you have someone in mind, reach out to them before looking outside the company.
- Continually post sales manager ads. The role of the sales manager is by no means a simple one. As such, not everyone can execute the job successfully. Rather than pulling your ad after hiring someone, keep it up for at least 90 days so you’re covered in case the new hire doesn’t stick around.
- Execute interviews carefully. Piggybacking off of item #1, you must evaluate candidates carefully to ensure they meet all of your requirements. Such qualifications should extend beyond sales and into good communication, management, and persuasion skills.
By keeping these tips in mind during the recruitment process, you can find a skilled sales manager to help drive the success of your product.
At The Org, we believe traditional recruiting is in need of a refresh. Candidates want to know who they’ll work with, not just what they’ll do. Workplace culture, interpersonal relationships, and company values are more important now than ever.
And what better way to showcase your company’s unique culture than through your Org Chart?
Highlight different teams in your organization, the people that make these teams great, and show candidates how they fit into the big picture.
Your Org Chart is a novel and effective way to show candidates where they fit in and to show off your greatest asset: your people.
Explore Org Charts here, and sign up today to create your own customized Org Chart for your company.
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