What is the difference between an area sales manager and a territory sales manager?

Area sales managers must have at least four years of prior experience before being considered for a larger role as the area manager for a specific geographical region. Territory managers, however, must have at least five to six years of experience and have a proven record for successful sales rates and sales strategy execution.

The scope of their roles also differs significantly. An area sales manager typically has a more localized focus. They are tasked with managing and overseeing sales in a particular area or district, which often involves direct interaction with individual clients or businesses. Their duties include training and mentoring sales staff, setting sales targets, and developing strategies to achieve these targets within their designated area.

On the other hand, a territory sales manager has a broader range of responsibilities that span across multiple areas or regions. They are often responsible for larger strategic goals and objectives, such as expanding into new markets or increasing overall sales within a wider territory. They work closely with area managers, providing them with guidance and support to ensure the successful implementation of sales strategies.

In terms of hierarchical structure within an organization, territory sales managers usually sit above area sales managers. This means they have more responsibility and are often accountable for the performance of several area managers. Consequently, territory sales managers require deeper strategic insight and stronger leadership skills compared to their counterparts.

Ultimately, while both roles share similarities in that they both involve managing sales operations and teams, the key difference lies in the scale and complexity of their responsibilities. Area sales managers operate on a smaller, more local scale, while territory managers operate on a larger, regional, or national scale.