Tech Sales Manager Job Information

Directs and oversees sales representatives. Manages daily operations and training.

Sales Managers are the ones who direct and oversee sales representatives and manage a company's daily sales operations. They provide direction for the sales team by developing training for the staff, creating plans for the team's effective operation, and encouraging team members to surpass short- and long-term sales goals. In addition, the Sales Manager oversees sales strategies, establishes sales objectives, and monitors sales results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Depending on the company, a sales manager may have different duties. However, the jobs frequently involve finding talent, developing and coaching sales staff, establishing the sales plan, and tracking sales operations.

Recruitment

Sales Managers are responsible for hiring sales representatives and are expected to help interview potential applicants to see if they possess the right qualifications for sales rep positions. A sales manager must have an intimate understanding of what makes a good sales rep.

Team Development

Sales Managers must give their team members the tools necessary to close deals. They instruct sales reps—seasoned pros and recent hires—on the company's products, services, sales procedures, and other methods, such as upselling and cross-selling.

Develop Sales Strategy

The Sales Manager must set team goals and quotas and identify and assign target markets. In addition, a good Sales Manager is responsible for analyzing customer buying processes and determining the best strategies for the sales team to close deals.

Collaboration

To keep deals moving through the sales pipeline, Sales Managers must collaborate closely with other customer-facing departments like marketing and customer support.

What Do Employers Look For When Hiring a Sales Manager?

Employers require potential Sales Managers to exhibit several professional and personal qualities:

• Resilience – Managing a sales team is far more challenging than working in sales. Sales Managers must be able to exhibit and project resilience to help guide sales teams through difficult situations.
• Motivation – Salespeople frequently need an extra push to keep closing deals. A strong manager should be able to boost department morale and inspire sales reps.
• Problem-solving – Whether it's a deal that has stalled or a dissatisfied new customer, Sales Managers must be skilled at putting out fires.
• Leadership – Sales Managers must know when to assign specific tasks to their sales teams and trust them to fulfill their responsibilities.
• Communication – Sales Managers interact with many individuals and departments. They must know how to speak with clarity and compassion.
• Public Speaking – Invaluable when presenting sales pitches to clients or reports to other departments.
• Active Listening – Giving special attention to another person, whether they are a teammate or a potential client.
• Empathy – Enables Sales Managers to pinpoint the root causes of issues that their teams are experiencing.

What Is It Like To Work As a Sales Manager?

The entire sales industry moves quickly and is both challenging and exciting. This is especially true for Sales Managers. Managing sales teams requires managers to be able to simultaneously handle numerous personalities and hundreds of deals while maintaining composure.

On the plus side, according to various job rankings and reports, Sales Managers tend to report higher overall job satisfaction. There are several opportunities for advancement and increased compensation.

What Qualifications Does One Need To Become a Sales Manager?

While the pathway to becoming a Sales Manager may differ from person to person, here are some of the most common steps:

1. Obtain a bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, public relations, communications, psychology, or another related field.
2. Build up between two and five years of practical sales experience—ideally, in the same field that you intend to obtain the Sales Manager position.
3. Communicate your goals to your current sales leadership.
4. Consider a master's degree in sales management or business administration.
5. Pursue professional certifications such as:
   • Certified Sales Executive certification
   • Challenger Sales & Marketing development program
   • Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) certification

How Much Does a Sales Manager Earn?

Based on local business size and cost of living, the base salary for Sales Managers differs by location and state. In recent years, the median income for sales managers in the U.S. was $133,000, with low and high average salaries of $90,000 and $186,000, respectively.

San Jose, California, witnessed $208,000 as the highest Sales Manager salary as recently as 2020. However, in New York City, that figure came to approximately $203,000.

Sales Managers make, on average, almost $80,000 more than the sales representatives they manage.

The Path From Sales Rep To Sales Manager

The sense of accomplishment that comes with being a Sales Manager more than makes up for the difficulties inherent to the position. The rush one can get from leading a sales team to accomplish or exceed their quotas and working with others to expand the business can't be topped.

Individuals committed to advancing a sales career should not wait for the title of Sales Manager before supporting their fellow sales reps. Initiative and willingness to assist other sales team members get noticed.