Skills & Competencies for Sales Manager

JOB SUMMARY for Sales Manager

Manages the sales teams and supporting operations required to implement the organizational sales strategy, drive revenue growth, and accomplish financial objectives.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Sales Manager

Implements processes, tools, and structures to support the sales organization's operations. Conducts long-term and short-term goal setting for teams and individuals and uses data to measure and monitor sales processes, identify issues, and enhance performance. Monitors the industry, business environment, competitors, and customers to develop action plans for expanding and retaining the customer base. Uses customer feedback and insights to collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and suggest new products. Builds and develops effective sales and support teams with recruiting, mentoring, and training. Participates in meetings, presentations, and demos to support or close strategic or high-value sales.

Sales Manager SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$135,863
TOTAL 50%
$172,193
Job Level
M02
Job Code
SM15000014
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Director

Sales Manager Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Sales Manager skill and competencie below to view definitions.

14 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Sales Manager

1 Job Family Competencies – Business Development
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Planning strategies and tactics for the business to grow and expand.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists the functions and features of tools used in business development.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies business development opportunities through scoping customer and external industry engagements.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Supervises a team of intermediate sales business development professionals to focus on creating solutions.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors the overall performance to evaluate the effectiveness of business development strategies.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops solutions for business development programs to achieve optimum results.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Job Family Competencies – Channel Sales
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Distributing a product to the market through third parties to increase sales and customer outreach.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists the different channels' sales strategies.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Selects tools and methods to help the third-party company know about the sold products.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Uses product sales data from other channels to sell effective merchandising products.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Coordinates with cross-functional teams to maintain appropriate and channel inventory levels.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Fosters positive relationships to maintain and create an efficient work environment.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Sales Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Sales Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Sales Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

11 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Sales Manager

1 Core Competencies – Planning and Organizing
Proficiency Level -4
Skill definition-Managing and prioritizing resources and workloads by creating well-organized plans to attain organizational goals and objectives.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the importance of planning and organization in building a good working environment.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies key implications of ineffective planning and organization that affects decision-making.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Leverages key performance indicators to measure progress completion against performance metrics.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages the planning and sequencing of activities to create well-planned schedules and achieve goals on time.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes standards for planning and organization processes to align efforts with business goals.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
2 Core Competencies – Coaching Others
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Ability to encourage, motivate, and guide individuals or teams to further enhance their performance.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Lists obstacles and challenges in coaching others.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Observes colleagues in action and offers feedback when asked.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Gives advice and guidance to employees to help them develop their skills and excel in their careers.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Provides others with the resources they need to succeed in their roles.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Monitors marketplace for effective coaching strategies and techniques.
See 4 More Skill Behaviors
3 Sales Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Sales Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Sales Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Sales Manager skills and competencies

There are 0 hard skills for Sales Manager.
14 general skills for Sales Manager, Business Development, Channel Sales, Cold Calling, etc.
11 soft skills for Sales Manager, Planning and Organizing, Coaching Others, Team Management and Team Building, etc.
While the list totals 25 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Sales Manager, he or she needs to be skilled in Planning and Organizing, be skilled in Coaching Others, and be skilled in Team Management and Team Building.

It's Easy to Get Started

Get the precision you need to assess, hire, and develop top talent with skills and competencies – see how with a personalized demo.