What does a channel manager/sales manager do?
A channel manager/sales manager is primarily in charge of leading and overseeing the efforts of a sales team, prioritizing efficiency and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities include setting objectives and guidelines, creating business plans and sales forecasts, researching new business opportunities, and developing strategies to secure sales. They must also monitor the progress of staff, producing progress reports as needed. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead the efforts and serve as a role model to staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Channel manager/sales manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real channel manager/sales manager resumes:
- 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.
- Design complex IP telephony solutions including integration with other telecommunication manufacturer's equipment and adhering to day-to-day business processes.
- Generate sales by outsourcing Telecom which increase bottom-line results.
Channel manager/sales manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Channel Manager/Sales Managers are proficient in Cloud, CRM, and Business Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Leadership skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Channel Manager/Sales Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cloud, 8%
Prime Care Technologies is one of the leading companies delivering Cloud Based Computing and Managed Application Hosting services.
- CRM, 7%
Recommended and helped apply Prophet CRM bringing higher efficiency and profitability to all regions.
- Business Development, 5%
Managed and directed overall sales and marketing communications services, new sales and business development to maximize growth and profitability.
- Sales Strategies, 4%
Developed and implemented sales strategies with Business Centers and Municipal Representatives for target projects in their respective territory.
- Enterprise Sales, 4%
Coordinated all resources required in closing and managing all enterprise sales opportunities in the video gaming development industry.
- Customer Satisfaction, 3%
Responded to agent and customer complaints regarding service or network outages and provided a fast resolution to ensure customer satisfaction.
Most channel manager/sales managers use their skills in "cloud," "crm," and "business development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential channel manager/sales manager responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a channel manager/sales manager to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what channel manager/sales managers do because "when helping to make a sale, sales managers must listen and respond to the customer’s needs." Additionally, a channel manager/sales manager resume shows how channel manager/sales managers use customer-service skills: "schedule and facilitate joint calls with sales reps and customers. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform channel manager/sales manager duties is leadership skills. Channel manager/sales managers responsibilities require that "sales managers must be able to evaluate how their sales staff performs and must develop strategies for meeting sales goals." Channel manager/sales managers also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided leadership and guidance to account teams (30 reps) within indirect sales channel. "
Analytical skills. channel manager/sales managers are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to channel manager/sales manager responsibilities, because "sales managers must collect and interpret complex data to target the most promising geographic areas and demographic groups, and determine the most effective sales strategies." A channel manager/sales manager resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "classified ventures develops data-driven saas products and operates leading consumer websites: cars.com, apartments.com, homefinder.com. "
Communication skills. A big part of what channel manager/sales managers do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to channel manager/sales manager responsibilities because "sales managers need to work with colleagues and customers, so they must be able to communicate clearly." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical channel manager/sales manager tasks: "direct sales of communications products to clec's, var's, interconnect companies and regional cable television companies. "
The three companies that hire the most channel manager/sales managers are:
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Compare different channel manager/sales managers
Channel manager/sales manager vs. Sales account manager
The account sales manager is in charge of the retention of their customer relationship. They have to supervise the portfolio of existing clients, develop new business with them, and seek new sales opportunities. Account sales managers act as liaisons between the company and customer as well as build strong, long-lasting relationships by providing an improved customer experience. It is their responsibility to negotiate contracts and close deals to maximize sales profits. Also, they forecast track sales results and prepare reports on account status.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between channel manager/sales managers and sales account manager. For instance, channel manager/sales manager responsibilities require skills such as "cloud," "americas," "revenue targets," and "voip." Whereas a sales account manager is skilled in "customer service," "product knowledge," "powerpoint," and "sales process." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Sales account managers earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $68,777. On the other hand, channel manager/sales managers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $137,517.The education levels that sales account managers earn slightly differ from channel manager/sales managers. In particular, sales account managers are 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a channel manager/sales manager. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Channel manager/sales manager vs. Sales support manager
A sales support manager is responsible for monitoring the sales operations of an organization, evaluating the sales performance, and conducting data analysis and research to identify business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profitability. Sales support managers also meet with existing potential clients to discuss services and negotiate contracts, responding to their inquiries and concerns, and addressing their requests. They also handle the training and programs for the sales staff to maximize efficiency and productivity to meet target goals and increase sales volume.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real channel manager/sales manager resumes. While channel manager/sales manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "cloud," "strong negotiation," "revenue growth," and "americas," sales support managers use skills like "project management," "salesforce," "excellent interpersonal," and "excellent organizational."
Sales support managers may earn a lower salary than channel manager/sales managers, but sales support managers earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $106,396. On the other hand, channel manager/sales managers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $137,517.In general, sales support managers achieve similar levels of education than channel manager/sales managers. They're 1.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for channel manager/sales managers in the next 3-5 years?
Bill Thorne
Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs of NRF, National Retail Federation
Channel manager/sales manager vs. Sales development manager
Sales Development Managers oversee a specific function in the sales department. They are in charge of creating sales pitches, communication tools, and strategies to boost the company's sales performance. They may be assigned to do these activities for a specific product or service or for the whole product line of the organization. Sales Development Managers are also expected to create branding images that will help their sales strategies. They are required to fully understand the company's history, image, and target market. This will ensure that the branding and sales strategies they create are in line with the company's values.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a channel manager/sales manager is likely to be skilled in "cloud," "strong negotiation," "americas," and "revenue targets," while a typical sales development manager is skilled in "sdr," "salesforce," "customer service," and "sales process."
Sales development managers earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $107,980. Channel manager/sales managers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $137,517.Most sales development managers achieve a similar degree level compared to channel manager/sales managers. For example, they're 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Channel manager/sales manager vs. Business development sales manager
A business development sales manager is in charge of securing sales by reaching out to clients through calls, correspondence, or appointments. Their responsibilities often revolve around performing research and analysis to identify new leads and sales opportunities, offering different products and services, and creating proposals and price quotes for potential clients. A business development sales manager may also tailor payment plans, process billing, participate in various marketing initiatives, and produce progress reports. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure customer satisfaction and build positive relationships to strengthen the company's client base.
Types of channel manager/sales manager
Updated January 8, 2025
