Sales

Sales Manager Career Path

Drive revenue growth by leading sales teams. From individual contributor to managing the entire sales organization.

4 career levels $40K-$60K + commission → $180K-$400K+

Career Ladder

Entry Level

Sales Development Rep (SDR/BDR)

$40K-$60K + commission

0-2 years

Generate leads, qualify prospects, book meetings for account executives.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Apply Cold Calling and Email Outreach in daily work
  • Collaborate with team members on sales initiatives
  • Build expertise in CRM (Salesforce/HubSpot), Lead Qualification
  • Document processes and contribute to team knowledge base
  • Meet entry-level performance expectations and deliverables

Skills Required

Cold CallingEmail OutreachCRM (Salesforce/HubSpot)Lead QualificationObjection HandlingTime Management

What to Focus On

At the entry level, focus on building strong foundations in Cold Calling, Email Outreach, CRM (Salesforce/HubSpot). Understand the fundamentals deeply before moving to advanced topics. Generate leads, qualify prospects, book meetings for account executives.

How to Advance to Account Executive

To advance from Sales Development Rep (SDR/BDR) to Account Executive, you need to demonstrate mastery of Cold Calling, Email Outreach, CRM (Salesforce/HubSpot) and start developing skills in Consultative Selling, Demos/Presentations. Take on stretch assignments, seek mentorship, and build a track record of consistent delivery.

Mid Level

Account Executive

$70K-$120K + commission

2-5 years

Close deals, manage pipeline, build client relationships.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Apply Consultative Selling and Demos/Presentations in daily work
  • Collaborate with team members on sales initiatives
  • Build expertise in Negotiation, Pipeline Management
  • Document processes and contribute to team knowledge base
  • Meet mid-level performance expectations and deliverables

Skills Required

Consultative SellingDemos/PresentationsNegotiationPipeline ManagementForecastingSolution Selling

What to Focus On

At the mid level, focus on building strong foundations in Consultative Selling, Demos/Presentations, Negotiation. Deepen your expertise and start developing leadership skills. Close deals, manage pipeline, build client relationships.

How to Advance to Sales Manager

To advance from Account Executive to Sales Manager, you need to demonstrate mastery of Consultative Selling, Demos/Presentations, Negotiation and start developing skills in Team Leadership, Coaching. Take on stretch assignments, seek mentorship, and build a track record of consistent delivery.

Senior Level

Sales Manager

$100K-$160K + bonus

5-8 years

Lead sales teams, hit team quotas, coach reps, manage territory.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Apply Team Leadership and Coaching in daily work
  • Collaborate with team members on sales initiatives
  • Build expertise in Revenue Forecasting, Territory Planning
  • Document processes and contribute to team knowledge base
  • Meet senior-level performance expectations and deliverables

Skills Required

Team LeadershipCoachingRevenue ForecastingTerritory PlanningHiringSales Strategy

What to Focus On

At the senior level, focus on building strong foundations in Team Leadership, Coaching, Revenue Forecasting. Deepen your expertise and start developing leadership skills. Lead sales teams, hit team quotas, coach reps, manage territory.

How to Advance to VP Sales / CRO

To advance from Sales Manager to VP Sales / CRO, you need to demonstrate mastery of Team Leadership, Coaching, Revenue Forecasting and start developing skills in Revenue Strategy, Go-to-Market. Take on stretch assignments, seek mentorship, and build a track record of consistent delivery.

Executive Level

VP Sales / CRO

$180K-$400K+

10+ years

Own entire revenue function, build sales org, report to CEO/board.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Apply Revenue Strategy and Go-to-Market in daily work
  • Collaborate with team members on sales initiatives
  • Build expertise in Organization Design, Board Reporting
  • Document processes and contribute to team knowledge base
  • Meet executive-level performance expectations and deliverables

Skills Required

Revenue StrategyGo-to-MarketOrganization DesignBoard ReportingStrategic PartnershipsP&L Ownership

What to Focus On

At the executive level, focus on building strong foundations in Revenue Strategy, Go-to-Market, Organization Design. Deepen your expertise and start developing leadership skills. Own entire revenue function, build sales org, report to CEO/board.

Open Sales Manager Positions

Branch Manager — Sales-Driven Operations Leader

ExecutivePlacements.com

Johannesburg, Gauteng 2 weeks ago 38 views

A well-established property company is seeking a Branch Manager in Johannesburg to lead with a customer-focused, sales-driven approach. The ideal candidate will have experience in team leadership and...

Full-time On-site Mid Level Remote

Store Manager: Lead Sales & Customer Experience

The Foschini Group

Remote 2 weeks ago 32 views

A leading retail company in South Africa is seeking an experienced Store Manager to drive turnover and ensure customer satisfaction. Candidates should have a Matric certificate and a minimum of 3...

Full-time Remote Mid Level Remote

OrthoView Sales Manager

Materialise NV

Plymouth, Michigan 1 months ago 52 views

Are you passionate about assisting healthcare professionals in leveraging cutting-edge orthopaedic templating to enhance patient care? We present a compelling opportunity for a Medical Sales Manager...

Full-time On-site Mid Level Sales

Senior Procurement Manager - Marketing & Sales

Aequor Technologies

Parsippany Troy Hills, New Jersey 3 weeks ago 30 views

Job Title: Senior Procurement Manager - Marketing & Sales Indirect Procurement North Americ Position Summary: This position will report to the Director, Global Marketing & Sales Indirect Procurement...

Full-time On-site Mid Level Remote

Sales Manager - UniFirst First Aid Safety

UniFirst

Genoa, Arkansas 2 weeks ago 34 views

Job Description Our Team is Kind of a Big Deal! UniFirst First Aid Safety is seeking a reliable and hardworking Sales Manager to join our community. As a First Aid Sales Manager, you will build,...

Full-time On-site Mid Level Sales

Senior Manager Specialty Area Sales - Medical Nutrition (West Coast)

Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA

Textile Finance, California 2 weeks ago 32 views

At Nestlé Health Science, we believe that nutrition, science, and wellness must merge, not collide. Here, we embrace the intrinsic connections of these three pillars, harnessing their collective...

Full-time On-site Mid Level Sales

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills do I need to become a Sales Development Rep (SDR/BDR)?

Key skills for Sales Development Rep (SDR/BDR) (0-2 years): Cold Calling, Email Outreach, CRM (Salesforce/HubSpot), Lead Qualification, Objection Handling, Time Management. Generate leads, qualify prospects, book meetings for account executives.

What skills do I need to become a Account Executive?

Key skills for Account Executive (2-5 years): Consultative Selling, Demos/Presentations, Negotiation, Pipeline Management, Forecasting, Solution Selling. Close deals, manage pipeline, build client relationships.

What skills do I need to become a Sales Manager?

Key skills for Sales Manager (5-8 years): Team Leadership, Coaching, Revenue Forecasting, Territory Planning, Hiring, Sales Strategy. Lead sales teams, hit team quotas, coach reps, manage territory.

What skills do I need to become a VP Sales / CRO?

Key skills for VP Sales / CRO (10+ years): Revenue Strategy, Go-to-Market, Organization Design, Board Reporting, Strategic Partnerships, P&L Ownership. Own entire revenue function, build sales org, report to CEO/board.

What is the salary range for a Sales Manager?

Sales Manager salaries range from $40K-$60K + commission at entry level to $180K-$400K+ at the Executive level.

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