What Does a Senior Sales Manager Do?

Senior sales managers are responsible for managing a team of salespeople. They oversee the day-to-day operations of their department, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goals and objectives.

Senior sales managers commonly have a background in sales themselves—they may have worked as individual salespeople or even managed teams before moving into this role. This gives them a deep understanding of what it takes to be successful in sales, which they use to help guide their team toward success.

Senior Sales Manager Job Duties

A senior sales manager typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Analyzing data from internal systems and external sources to identify opportunities to improve sales performance
• Identifying and contacting potential clients to determine their needs and assess their interest in the company’s products or services
• Managing an existing sales team, providing ongoing coaching and feedback to help them increase their performance
• Ensuring that company products or services are represented accurately in advertising and marketing materials
• Developing strategies to increase market share by identifying new opportunities in existing markets or developing new markets
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan to achieve specific goals such as increasing revenues or improving customer satisfaction
• Negotiating contracts and managing relationships with vendors, suppliers, partners, and other external parties to ensure compliance with legal requirements
• Providing leadership, training, and motivation to the sales team to help them meet their goals
• Communicating regularly with senior management about the status of projects and issues that could impact performance

Senior Sales Manager Salary & Outlook

Senior sales managers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of commissions and bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $95,000 ($45.67/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $172,000 ($82.69/hour)

The employment of senior sales managers is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Demand for these managers will depend on the overall health of the economy and the performance of individual companies. As the economy grows, demand for goods and services increases, leading to greater demand for senior sales managers.

Related: Senior Sales Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Senior Sales Manager Job Requirements

A number of qualifications are necessary to become a senior sales manager. They include:

Education: A senior sales manager is typically required to have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as business administration, marketing or a related discipline. Some companies may accept an associate’s degree in certain circumstances.

Training & Experience: Senior sales managers typically have at least 10 years of experience in sales. They may have worked as a sales representative, sales manager or sales director before advancing to a senior sales manager position. Senior sales managers may also have experience in other industries, such as manufacturing or finance.

Certifications & Licenses: While not required, senior sales manager positions often include certifications that demonstrate an individual’s leadership and sales abilities.

Senior Sales Manager Skills

Senior sales managers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information to others. Senior sales managers use communication to convey information to their teams, clients and other stakeholders. They also use communication to receive feedback from their teams and clients. Effective communication is an essential skill for senior sales managers because it allows them to convey information effectively and understand the needs of their teams and clients.

Leadership: Senior sales managers are responsible for managing a team of sales representatives. This means that they must be able to provide direction and guidance to their team members. Effective leadership skills can help senior sales managers to motivate their team members and encourage them to perform well. Leadership skills can also help senior sales managers to delegate tasks and responsibilities to their team members.

Decision-making: Senior sales managers make decisions that affect the company’s bottom line. They need to be able to make informed decisions that benefit the company and its customers. Senior sales managers also need to be able to make decisions quickly. They may need to make decisions about new products, marketing strategies and other business decisions that require quick thinking.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills allow you to identify issues, develop solutions and implement those solutions. As a senior sales manager, you may be responsible for resolving issues that arise between sales representatives and clients, or between sales representatives and other departments. You may also be responsible for resolving issues that arise between clients and other departments.

Relationship building: Relationship building is the ability to form and maintain positive relationships with others. As a senior sales manager, you may be responsible for managing a team of sales representatives. This means you need to be able to communicate effectively with your team members and help them develop their skills. Relationship building can also be useful when you need to negotiate with suppliers or customers.

Senior Sales Manager Work Environment

The work environment for a senior sales manager is usually in an office setting, although travel may be required for sales meetings, conferences, and client visits. Senior sales managers typically work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet deadlines and quotas. They may also travel frequently to meet with clients and potential clients. The job is often stressful and demanding, but also exciting and fast-paced. Senior sales managers must be able to handle rejection and be comfortable with constant change. They must also be able to motivate and lead their sales teams to success.

Senior Sales Manager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how senior sales managers work. Senior sales managers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for a More Strategic Approach to Sales

The role of sales manager is changing, as businesses are beginning to realize the importance of having a more strategic approach to sales.

Sales managers who are able to adapt to this trend will be in high demand, as they will be able to help businesses develop a more effective sales strategy that is aligned with their long-term goals. This will require a deep understanding of the market and the needs of customers.

More Focus on Digital Marketing

As digital marketing becomes more important, sales managers will need to focus on developing skills in this area.

By understanding how to use digital channels to reach potential customers, sales managers can improve the effectiveness of their campaigns and better connect with potential clients. In addition, they can also use digital marketing to track the success of their campaigns and make adjustments as needed.

A Greater Emphasis on Customer Experience

Customer experience has become an increasingly important factor in the decision-making process for consumers. As a result, sales managers need to focus on providing a positive customer experience in order to keep them coming back.

This means that sales managers need to be aware of the latest trends in customer service and be prepared to provide excellent customer support. They also need to be familiar with the products that they are selling and be able to answer any questions that customers may have.

How to Become a Senior Sales Manager

A successful career in sales management requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and the ability to think strategically. It’s also important to have a strong network of contacts within your industry.

To get started on the path to becoming a successful sales manager, it’s important to first develop your skills as a salesperson. This means learning how to effectively sell products or services, build relationships with customers, and manage your time effectively. You should also be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of your company’s products or services, as well as its competitive landscape.

Once you’ve developed your skills as a salesperson, you can move on to the next step in your career: becoming a sales manager. As a sales manager, you will be responsible for leading and managing a team of salespeople. This means setting goals and objectives for your team, coaching them on their selling techniques, and helping them develop their skills.

Advancement Prospects

Sales managers typically advance in their careers by taking on larger territories or more responsibility within their current organization. As they gain experience, they may be promoted to regional sales manager, national sales manager, or vice president of sales. Some sales managers eventually move into related fields, such as marketing or product development.

Senior Sales Manager Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we are looking for an experienced and successful sales manager to lead and inspire our sales team. The Senior Sales Manager will be responsible for developing and executing sales strategies, achieving sales targets, and managing a team of sales representatives. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in sales management, as well as experience in the [industry] industry. He/she will be a strong leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The Senior Sales Manager will be a strategic thinker who can think outside the box to find new and innovative ways to increase sales.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Achieve or exceed quarterly and annual sales targets by developing and executing effective territory plans
• Recruit, hire, train, and manage a high-performing team of sales professionals
• Monitor individual and team performance against objectives, taking corrective action as needed to ensure attainment of goals
• Develop strong relationships with key customers and influencers within assigned territories
• Understand customer needs and requirements and communicate them back to the organization
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and competitor activity in order to effectively position company solutions
• Prepare accurate and timely reports documenting sales activities, pipeline development, and forecasted revenue
• Manage expenses within approved budget
• Provide input into the development of marketing programs and collateral
• Attend trade shows and other events as needed
• Serve as a positive role model for the sales team, exhibiting ethical behavior and professional conduct at all times
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 10+ years sales experience, with at least 5 in a management role
• Proven track record of achieving or exceeding sales targets
• Experience developing and managing a sales team
• Strong understanding of the sales process from prospecting to close
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and with a team

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field
• MBA or other advanced degree
• Experience in the software industry
• Experience with CRM software, such as Salesforce
• Familiarity with market analysis and research tools, such as Hoovers and Mintel