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What is a channel manager/sales manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Bill Thorne

If you are amazing at negotiating with people and can maintain long-term professional relationships, then perhaps you should look into becoming a channel manager/sales manager. As a channel manager/sales manager, your purpose will be developing, servicing, and growing relationships with channel partners. You will be developing various sales strategies for the company, negotiate with partners, and develop the sales team.

Some of the duties and responsibilities that you will be fulfilling in this capacity include achieving the monthly sales quota, training the sales team on company offerings continuously, for them to remain updated on each and every aspect of the company's products. in addition, you will also be managing relationships with different channel partners, monitoring sales and operational results, and representing the company on different industry trade shows. Essential skills required to complete these tasks include communication, motivation, customer service, active listeners, and being socially perceptive.

To qualify for the position, you will need a high school diploma or a GED, along with proven work experience is a similar position. However, a bachelor's degree in marketing or a related field may give you an advantage over other candidates. The average hourly pay for this position is $49.11, which amounts to $102,146 annually.

What general advice would you give to a channel manager/sales manager?

Bill ThorneBill Thorne LinkedIn profile

Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs of NRF, National Retail Federation

Retail is the largest private-sector employer in the country, directly employing 32 million people and supporting 52 million jobs overall - roughly one-quarter of the U.S. workforce. While COVID-19 has presented new and unexpected challenges, retailers have continued to showcase the industry's resilience and adaptability time and again. The safety and security of customers and employees remains our greatest priority. It is no doubt that the professional environment has changed this year, but retail continues to offer a plethora of career opportunities for graduates and seasoned veterans alike.
ScoreChannel Manager/Sales ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.4

Avg. Salary $129,008

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 4.07%

Black or African American 3.24%

Hispanic or Latino 9.82%

Unknown 4.41%

White 78.23%

Gender

female 23.57%

male 76.43%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Channel manager/sales manager career paths

Key steps to become a channel manager/sales manager

  1. Explore channel manager/sales manager education requirements

    Most common channel manager/sales manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    80.2 %

    Master's

    9.3 %

    Associate

    7.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific channel manager/sales manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Cloud8.29%
    CRM7.06%
    Business Development4.84%
    Sales Strategies3.90%
    Enterprise Sales3.52%
  3. Complete relevant channel manager/sales manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New channel manager/sales managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a channel manager/sales manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real channel manager/sales manager resumes.
  4. Research channel manager/sales manager duties and responsibilities

    • Develop co-marketing business plans resulting in YoY growth with several manage partners.
    • Implement new sales strategy and create cost justification spread sheet and marketing campaign to drive ROI of software.
    • Implement new CRM process, resulting in improve tracking, enhance reporting, and enterprise-wide visibility of sales activity.
    • Perform mandatory ROI analysis and detail monitoring of the execution of account trade plans overcoming increase competitive pressure.
  5. Prepare your channel manager/sales manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your channel manager/sales manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a channel manager/sales manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable channel manager/sales manager resume templates

    Build a professional channel manager/sales manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your channel manager/sales manager resume.
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
    Channel Manager/Sales Manager Resume
  6. Apply for channel manager/sales manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a channel manager/sales manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first channel manager/sales manager job

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Average channel manager/sales manager salary

The average channel manager/sales manager salary in the United States is $129,008 per year or $62 per hour. Channel manager/sales manager salaries range between $91,000 and $182,000 per year.

Average channel manager/sales manager salary
$129,008 Yearly
$62.02 hourly

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How do channel manager/sales managers rate their job?

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Channel manager/sales manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

Motivating people and helping to create success in each person's day. Honor God serve people in rich people's lives, pursue excellence in service.

Cons

Not enough time in each day to get everything accomplished.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Cons

I like everything

Pros

Coming in contact with people, motivating staff, making the numbers, profitability for everyone


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

I worked professionally in 7 countries. I speak fluently 4 languages and speak well another 4. Moreover, I love Sales.

Cons

Politics, toxic work environment, having to work with real sob.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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