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Channel account manager vs sales manager

The differences between channel account managers and sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a channel account manager and a sales manager. Additionally, a channel account manager has an average salary of $97,071, which is higher than the $73,952 average annual salary of a sales manager.

The top three skills for a channel account manager include cam, cloud and channel sales. The most important skills for a sales manager are product knowledge, customer satisfaction, and sales performance.

Channel account manager vs sales manager overview

Channel Account ManagerSales Manager
Yearly salary$97,071$73,952
Hourly rate$46.67$35.55
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs148,671119,066
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a channel account manager do?

A channel account manager is responsible for handling client accounts and maintaining a healthy business relationship with partners by providing high-quality services according to their specifications and requirements. Channel account managers identify business opportunities and other services that would meet client demands and public interests by analyzing sales and market trends. They also contribute to the development of sales improvement techniques that would drive more revenues and profits for the business. A channel account manager handles a channel team that would support the deliverables and outputs for the clients within their budget limitations and timetable.

What does a sales manager do?

Sales managers are responsible for leading the organization's sales team. They oversee the progress and performance of the whole team, set area assignments to team members, and set weekly or monthly quotas. Sales managers oversee training team members during onboarding and providing further coaching to help them achieve their goals. They manage the challenges that team members may meet and help mitigate any problems that come along the way. Sales managers also set the strategic direction of the sales team and follow through by ensuring that the team's activities are in line with the goals.

Channel account manager vs sales manager salary

Channel account managers and sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Channel Account ManagerSales Manager
Average salary$97,071$73,952
Salary rangeBetween $58,000 And $161,000Between $42,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CityPhiladelphia, PAJersey City, NJ
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyMetaCapgemini
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between channel account manager and sales manager education

There are a few differences between a channel account manager and a sales manager in terms of educational background:

Channel Account ManagerSales Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Channel account manager vs sales manager demographics

Here are the differences between channel account managers' and sales managers' demographics:

Channel Account ManagerSales Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 71.2% Female, 28.8%Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between channel account manager and sales manager duties and responsibilities

Channel account manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage key accounts of wholesalers, pharmacies chains and healthcare professionals.
  • Manage a portfolio of 1k+ SMB accounts, which generate $13M in revenue per year.
  • Manage accounts and opportunities with CRM and maximize customer retention with ongoing contact and license renewal management.
  • Manage and coordinate daily sales activities through target cold calling and telemarketing.
  • Support launch and first sale of Windstream's UCaaS cloud service power by Avaya.
  • Overachieve by proving value and benefit of equipment and future ROI through relationship selling.
  • Show more

Sales manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency in multitasking by performing multiple duties and managing differing responsibilities periodically.
  • Manage discount contracts, write up of add-ons, renewals, transfers of equities.
  • Manage and support one of the largest portfolios within the division and the largest in the Americas.
  • Manage website, updating product listings, enhancing SEO positioning, and maintaining overall site appearance and functionality.
  • Launch and manage the Americas outsourcing lead generation and qualification process.
  • Set all promotional activity, introduce new items and manage distributors in select markets.
  • Show more

Channel account manager vs sales manager skills

Common channel account manager skills
  • Cam, 8%
  • Cloud, 8%
  • Channel Sales, 7%
  • Channel Marketing, 5%
  • Salesforce, 4%
  • Account Management, 4%
Common sales manager skills
  • Product Knowledge, 12%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Sales Performance, 6%
  • CRM, 5%
  • Sales Process, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%

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