Hiring the right sales manager can shape the entire future of your sales team. But getting there starts with writing a sales manager job description that’s clear, realistic, and actually attracts the kind of people you want to interview.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 43,000 sales manager openings projected each year, which means your job post needs to stand out — not just exist. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to write one that works.

Who is a Sales Manager?  

A sales manager isn’t just someone with a title. They lead with experience, manage people, and help turn goals into results. Most of them start as a sales representative and grow into the role with hands-on sales experience and leadership drive.

They also have a solid background — many hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field like business administration or marketing. According to the BLS, employers prioritize experience over academic degrees when hiring for sales manager positions.

“Sales managers aren’t there to close deals — they’re there to close performance gaps.” – Harvard Business Review

Why Hiring the Right Sales Manager Matters for Your Sales Team  

1. Drives Sales Team Performance

• Tracks individual performance using real-time analyzing data
• Adjusts sales quotas and plans to reflect strengths and weaknesses
• Helps sales staff handle customer complaints and improve client relationships

2. Aligns Sales Goals with Business Strategy

• Connects sales strategy to company-wide goals
• Builds a strategic sales plan that aligns with market and team needs
• Collaborates with the marketing department to ensure message alignment

3. Improves Sales Process Efficiency

• Organizes sales territories and manages assigning sales territories wisely
• Uses systems that reduce expense controls and inefficiencies
• Focuses on implementing marketing strategies that support reps

4. Reduces Turnover in the Sales Team

• Provides coaching and mentorship using strong leadership skills
• Builds loyalty through strong customer service skills

McKinsey reports teams with skilled sales managers see 25% lower turnover

5. Enhances Coaching and Skill Development

• Identifies customer needs and trains reps to respond effectively
• Supports growth with relevant training on business law and process
• Helps team understand profit margins and sales impacts

6. Strengthens Team Morale and Accountability

• Builds trust between reps and hiring managers
• Encourages performance transparency across local sales managers and teams
• Supports reps working in local offices or distributed environments

7. Increases Revenue and Deal Conversion

• Focuses on hitting sales targets tied to potential customers
• Leads efforts to execute every sales plan with focus

“Great sales managers don’t push—they enable.” – Gong.io Sales Report

8. Establishes a Scalable Sales Culture

• Builds systems for future lead generation
• Enables many sales managers to follow repeatable sales manager role guidelines
• According to BLS, over 43,000 sales manager positions open yearly in the U.S.

Overview of Sales Manager Job Description  

A well-written sales manager job description helps you filter out the noise and attract people who actually fit the role. If you're a hiring manager, this isn’t just about listing responsibilities — it's about setting expectations early. Let’s break down what the job description really needs to cover.

• Defines the Core Responsibilities
  • A sales manager is responsible for guiding the sales department and aligning team efforts.
  • This includes planning, oversight, and day-to-day management of goals.
• Clarifies the Role Expectations
  • Descriptions often include detailed duties that reflect the actual scope of the role.
  • This helps both potential candidates and hiring teams stay on the same page.
• Sets the Right Qualifications Bar
  • While degrees are common, most employers focus more on proven experience.
  • “Experience in real selling environments speaks louder than a title,” says Forbes.
• Aligns with Company Needs
  • Every company defines this role based on its team size, market, and management structure.
  • Clear job descriptions help hire effectively and reduce bad fits.
• Supports Executive Strategy
  • Sales managers often report to a sales director or managing director.
  • In most businesses, this position plays a direct part in revenue outcomes and client results.

Sales Manager Job Description Template  

How to Craft a Winning Sales Manager Job Description  

Writing a sales manager job description isn’t just about listing tasks. It’s your first filter to attract the right kind of candidates — people who understand your goals and fit your sales team culture. The way you present the role will either connect or push strong applicants away.

1. Start with a Clear Job Title

• Stick to what people actually search for — just “Sales Manager.”
• Avoid adding layers like “guru” or “rockstar.”
• According to LinkedIn data, clear job titles get 30% more clicks.

2. Write a Concise and Engaging Job Summary

• Hook the reader in 2–3 lines.
• Mention the role’s impact on the company, not just responsibilities.
• Be real about expectations — clarity attracts better applicants.

3. Highlight Core Responsibilities

• List specific sales manager responsibilities that show leadership and ownership.
• Use action verbs like lead, manage, coach, report.
• Be honest about what they’ll actually be doing every day.

4. Specify Required Skills and Qualifications

• Focus on what’s typically required, not everything possible.
• Mention must-haves clearly and keep nice-to-haves separate.
• Avoid inflating the list just to sound impressive.

5. Mention Tools, Platforms, or Software Used

• Talk about what’s actually used by your team.
• Include tools that help track sales plans or pipeline.
• Don’t assume every candidate knows your stack — list it.

6. Include Reporting Structure and Team Context

• Let applicants know if they’ll be working with clients, internal teams, or both.
• Show how they fit into the org structure.
• This reduces mismatched expectations from the start.

7. Describe Growth Opportunities and Role Impact

• Be transparent about promotions or cross-functional moves.
• Mention real outcomes tied to the role — like setting sales goals that drive targets.
• People want to grow, not just fill a title.

8. Use Inclusive and Neutral Language

• Avoid gendered terms and culturally narrow phrases.
• Make the job feel accessible to a diverse range of companies and backgrounds.
• Use tools like Textio if needed.

9. Keep the Formatting Clean and Scannable

• Use short bullets, not dense paragraphs.
• Highlight only what matters, don’t overload.
• Consider the flow on mobile — customer preferences lean toward brevity.

10. Customize the Description to Fit Your Sales Team

• Don’t copy-paste from a generic JD template.
• Tailor it to your team’s tone, tools, and culture.
• Be specific about the services or products they’ll be helping sell.

Do’s and Don’ts in Writing a Sales Manager Job Description  

Writing a great sales manager job description isn’t just about what you include — it’s also about what you avoid. A few smart choices can make the difference between attracting top talent and getting buried in the noise. Here’s a quick list of do’s and don’ts to help you get it right.

What are the Key Responsibilities of a Sales Manager?

A strong sales manager doesn’t just manage — they lead, track, support, and set the tone for the entire sales team. Their responsibilities touch every part of the sales process, from territory planning to performance reviews. Here’s what that actually looks like in action:

1. Define Territory and Account Segmentation – Organize sales territories based on customer data, geography, or business potential.
2. Assign and Rotate Sales Leads Strategically – Balance performance and fairness when assigning sales territories or rotating accounts.
3. Implement and Enforce Sales Processes – Align actions across the sales department so every rep follows a consistent rhythm.
4. Monitor Daily Activities and Sales KPIs – Keep track of what matters without micromanaging — accountability drives better client relationships.
5. Support Complex Deal Negotiations – Step in when high-stake or enterprise-level services are involved.
6. Conduct Regular Pipeline Reviews – Keep the forecast real by checking status, blockers, and close probabilities.
7. Coordinate Cross-Functional Sales Projects – Collaborate across companies or teams when launching new initiatives.
8. Prepare Sales Forecast Reports for Leadership – Use data to guide projections, not just gut feelings.
9. Manage Budget Allocation Within the Sales Team – Make smart trade-offs with resource spend to maximize profit.
10. “A manager sets the tone. Teams follow what they enforce.” — Harvard Business Review

Fun fact: 92% of top-performing managers run monthly pipeline reviews (Gartner)

How Sales Managers Support Sales Representatives

Sales managers aren’t just task-setters — they’re problem-solvers, mentors, and daily support for their reps. The best ones remove roadblocks and help their team do what they do best: sell. Here’s how they show up for their sales representatives every day:

• Offer one-on-one coaching tailored to individual performance gaps.
• Help reps prioritize high-intent leads and focus on real opportunities.
• Provide tools, templates, and clear sales processes to simplify daily work.
• Step in during complex negotiations or when deals stall.
• Give regular feedback that’s specific, actionable, and goal-focused.
• Create a safe space for reps to ask, fail, and learn.
• Celebrate small wins to build motivation and team morale.

Essential Skills and Qualifications of a Sales Managers

• A proven background in B2B or B2C sales shows the manager knows how to close deals and handle buyer objections firsthand.
• Familiarity with CRM and analytics tools helps them track performance and coach with data, not guesswork.
• The ability to motivate and lead diverse teams is key for managing different personalities and experience levels.
• Strong communication and conflict resolution helps navigate internal disagreements and keep the team aligned.
• They should think strategically and be comfortable forecasting revenue or identifying risks before they hit.
• Most employers prefer a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field, but experience still weighs heavier when hiring.

FAQs About Hiring a Sales Manager  

1. What does a sales manager do every day?  

They coach reps, review pipelines, assign leads, analyze performance, and support deals in motion.

2. What kind of job is a sales manager?  

It’s a leadership role that combines strategy, team management, and sales operations.

3. What is the role of an IT sales manager?  

They oversee tech product sales, ensure reps understand complex offerings, and handle enterprise-level clients.

4. What are 7 basic functions performed by a sales manager?  

Planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling, coaching, and reporting.

5. Is sales manager a good career path?  

Yes — it offers strong growth, leadership opportunities, and high earning potential.

6. What’s the difference between a sales manager and a sales executive?  

A sales manager leads a team; a sales executive is an individual contributor.

7. What is the average salary of a sales manager?  

As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary is $130,600 per year.

Conclusion

Writing a great sales manager job description doesn’t have to feel like guesswork. When you’re clear, structured, and a little human, you attract people who actually fit your team. Use this guide to skip the fluff and focus on what matters — and if you’re hiring soon, bookmark this so you don’t start from scratch. Need help refining your listing? We’re just a message away.