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Sales Managers: Schools and Careers

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Sales Managers - Career Information

Sales Managers

Sales managers set goals, assign sales territories, set quotas and develop training programs for their salespersons. Sales managers work in virtually every industry. Those in sales management evaluate sales statistics to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and to learn about customer's preferences. A sales manager strives to maximize profits.

In large companies that have multiple products a sales manager often manages regional and local sales managers and their staffs. Those in sales management positions also offer strategies and techniques to sales representatives in order to improve their sales performance.

Often, small companies have just one sales manager, however some large companies have managers to oversee each level of the sales operation. A large company might have regional sales managers, general sales managers and home office and overseas sales managers. Some of the job titles are director of sales, regional sales manager, vice president of sales, district sales manager and sales and marketing vice president.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the distribution of products to customers
  • Make performance evaluations of sales representatives
  • Resolve customer complaints about sales and service
  • Determine prices and discount rates
  • Analyze reports and operations records to project sales and profitability
  • Develop budgets and approve budget expenditures
  • Study customer preferences to determine the focus of sales efforts
  • Consult with department heads on various subjects

Job Characteristics

Sales managers should have good motivational, organizing and interpersonal skills. They should also be effective leaders and be able to persuasively communicate with others orally and in writing. Those in sales management often work more than a forty hour week. Typically their work is based on a set number of projects and not a set number of working hours.

Employment Outlook

Employment for sales managers is expected to increase by 10% from 2006 to 2016. Those with a college degree, a high level of creativity, excellent communication skills and related experience should have the best job opportunities. Salaries vary substantially, however, the median annual earnings in 2008 for sales managers was $97,260.

The size of their sales territory is an important factor in determining their salary. Many managers achieve bonuses equal to 10 percent or more of their salary and some are given stock options. Regarding the popular industries, the industry with the highest median annual earnings for sales managers is professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers.

Experienced, successful sales representatives that have good leadership abilities have opportunities to advance into a sales manager position. Some sales managers began as sales representatives or started out in advertising, marketing or product management. In addition, some sales managers become top executives.

Education, Certification, and Licensing

Some employers prefer candidates that hold a bachelor's or master's degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing. In highly technical industries such as electronics and computer manufacturing, employers typically seek candidates that have a business and a technical degree.

Helpful college courses include, management, economics, business law, statistics, mathematics, finance and accounting. Computer classes are also helpful. In addition, an internship while the candidate is attending school can be highly beneficial.

In partnership with colleges and universities, a number of marketing and related associations sponsor local or national management training programs. The courses provided include sales management evaluation, brand and product management, international marketing, interactive marketing, telemarketing and direct sales, promotion and market research.

Resources

Major Employers

The major job providing sectors are wholesale trade, retail trade, finance and insurance, and manufacturing.

Schools for Sales Managers are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Sales Managers by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Sales Managers, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.

Employment For:
All Jobs > Sales Managers

Selected Schools for Sales Managers (including any online schools)

These schools offer particularly quick info upon request, and we have written detailed profiles for each (click school names to see the profiles).

Request info from multiple schools, by clicking the Get Info links.

SchoolLocationsDegreesQuick Info
AIU OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
Albertus Magnus CollegeCTAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
American InterContinental UniversityFL, GA, TXAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
Anthem Career CollegeTNAssociateGet Info
Anthem CollegeAZAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Argosy UniversityAZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, MN, TN, TX, UT, VA, WABachelor, Doctorate, MasterGet Info
Argosy University OnlineOnlineBachelor, Doctorate, MasterGet Info
Averett UniversityVABachelor, MasterGet Info
Baker College OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, Doctorate, MasterGet Info
Bauder CollegeGAAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Berkeley CollegeNJ, NYAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Berkeley College OnlineOnlineAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Briarcliffe CollegeNYAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Broadview UniversityUTAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Brookline CollegeOnlineBachelorGet Info
Brown CollegeMNBachelorGet Info
Brown Mackie CollegeAL, AZ, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, KY, MO, NM, OH, OK, SC, TXAssociate, BachelorGet Info
California College San DiegoCABachelor, Master Get Info
Central Pennsylvania CollegePABachelorGet Info
Charter CollegeAK, CA, WAAssociate, BachelorGet Info
CollegeAmericaAZ, CO, WYBachelorGet Info
Colorado Technical UniversityCO, MO, SDAssociate, Bachelor, Doctorate, MasterGet Info
Colorado Technical University OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, Doctorate, MasterGet Info
Computer Career CenterNM, TXAssociate, DiplomaGet Info
DeVry Institute of TechnologyABBachelorGet Info
DeVry UniversityAZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WIAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
DeVry University OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of ManagementAZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, MD, MN, MO, NC, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WIGraduate Certificate, MasterGet Info
DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management OnlineOnlineGraduate Certificate, MasterGet Info
ECPI OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, DiplomaGet Info
ECPI UniversityNC, SC, VAAssociate, Bachelor, DiplomaGet Info
Everest CollegeAZ, CA, CO, MO, NV, TX, UTAssociate, Bachelor, DiplomaGet Info
Everest InstituteFL, NY, PAAssociate, DiplomaGet Info
Everest UniversityFLAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Everest University OnlineOnlineMasterGet Info
Fortis CollegeFL, OHAssociateGet Info
Golden Gate UniversityCABachelorGet Info
Golden Gate University OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
Grand Canyon UniversityOnlineMasterGet Info
Hallmark CollegeTXBachelorGet Info
Harrison CollegeIN, OHAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Heald CollegeCA, HI, ORAssociateGet Info
Herzing CollegeMB, ON, QCAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Herzing University OnlineOnlineAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Hesser CollegeNHAssociate, BachelorGet Info
ITT Technical InstituteCA, FL, ID, IN, MI, MO, NV, OH, TN, VA, WIAssociate, Bachelor, Diploma, MasterGet Info
Ivy Bridge College of Tiffin University OnlineOnlineAssociateGet Info
Jones International UniversityOnlineMasterGet Info
Kaplan Career InstitutePAAssociateGet Info
Kaplan College KHEOHAssociateGet Info
Kaplan University KHEIA, MD, ME, NEAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
Kaplan University OnlineOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
Keiser University CampusFLAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
Keiser University eCampus OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Lincoln College of TechnologyFL, KY, OHAssociate, Bachelor, CourseworkGet Info
Minnesota School of BusinessMNAssociate, Bachelor, Diploma, MasterGet Info
Morrison UniversityNVAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
National American University CampusCO, KS, MN, MO, NM, SD, TXAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
National CollegeIN, KY, OH, TN, VA, WVAssociate, Bachelor, DiplomaGet Info
Northwestern CollegeILAssociateGet Info
Norwich UniversityOnlineMasterGet Info
Olivet Nazarene University Graduate and Continuing StudiesILBachelor, MasterGet Info
Pioneer Pacific CollegeORAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Pittsburgh Technical InstitutePAAssociateGet Info
Rasmussen CollegeFL, IL, MN, ND, WIAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Rutgers Business SchoolNJMasterGet Info
Sanford Brown CollegeIL, MI, MO, VA, WIAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Sanford Brown InstituteNYAssociateGet Info
South UniversityOnlineAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
South University CampusAL, FL, GA, SCAssociate, Bachelor, MasterGet Info
Southern Technical CollegeFLAssociateGet Info
Southwest Florida CollegeFLAssociate, BachelorGet Info
Stevens Henager CollegeID, UTAssociate, Bachelor, Certificate, MasterGet Info
Stratford Career InstituteOnlineDiplomaGet Info
Strayer UniversityAL, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WVAssociate, Bachelor, Certificate, Graduate Certificate, MasterGet Info
Sullivan UniversityKYAssociate, Bachelor, Diploma, MasterGet Info
The University of LiverpoolOnlineMasterGet Info
UEI CollegeCAAssociateGet Info
University of PhoenixAL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WYAssociate, Bachelor, Doctorate, MasterGet Info
University of Phoenix OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Virginia College OnlineOnlineBachelor, MasterGet Info
Walden UniversityOnlineBachelor, Doctorate, MasterGet Info
Western Governor's University OnlineOnlineBachelorGet Info
Western International UniversityAZBachelor, MasterGet Info

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Sales Manager Training Schools by State

We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Sales Managers.

Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.

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