Sales Manager: Job Duties, Skills and Salary 2025

What Does a Sales Manager do?

A Sales Manager directs an organization's sales team, oversees its operations, and strategizes to achieve sales targets. They are responsible for setting sales goals, analyzing data, and developing training programs for the organization’s sales representatives. Sales Managers ensure effective customer relations, lead sales team meetings, and foster a competitive yet collaborative team environment. Beyond managing internal operations, they also engage with customers, negotiate deals, and develop strategies to increase revenue and customer satisfaction.

Sales Managers play a key role in maintaining the profitability of a company by combining analytical skills, the ability to lead a team, and strategic planning with an in-depth understanding of their market and customer base.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Sales Managers in the Sales field handle essential tasks and contribute significantly to achieving team and organizational goals. Here are some of their primary responsibilities:

• Develop and implement effective sales strategies to hit and exceed sales targets.
• Lead nationwide sales team members to achieve sales targets.
• Establish productive and professional relationships with key personnel in assigned customer accounts.
• Negotiate and close agreements with large customers.
• Monitor and analyze performance metrics and suggest improvements.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual sales forecasts.
• Perform research and identify new potential customers and new market opportunities.
• Provide timely and effective solutions aligned with clients’ needs.
• Liaise with Marketing and Product Development departments to ensure brand consistency and increase sales.

How to Become a Sales Manager

Launching a career as a Sales Manager requires a specific education. We outline the essential qualifications, skills, and steps to enter this field.

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a relevant field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Proven work experience as a Sales Manager or similar role.
• Experience managing a high-performance sales team.
• An ability to understand and analyze sales performance metrics.
• Solid customer service attitude with excellent negotiation skills.
• Strong communication and team management skills.
• Analytical skills with a problem-solving attitude.
• Availability to travel as needed.

Requirements & Skills

• Demonstrable ability to communicate, present, and influence credibly and effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability to drive the sales process from plan to close.
• Strong business sense and industry expertise.
• Excellent mentoring, coaching, and people management skills.
• Capacity to manage various projects and work to tight deadlines.

Sales Manager Salary Guide

Wondering what Sales Managers earn? Explore salary ranges by experience, and career tips to maximize your earning potential.

The average salary for a Sales Manager in the U.S. is approximately $78,000 per year and can vary from entry-level to senior positions. Sales Managers may receive a wide range of benefits.

Sales Manager Salary Career Steps