How To Become A Commercial Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a commercial manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Ken Corbit Ph.D.

A commercial manager is a leading professional who oversees the business growth of an organization or a business. These individuals identify areas of a business that can be expanded and developed, work with customers in managing contracts for goods and services, look for new customers and also manage relationships with vendors and contractors. A commercial manager is in charge of devising strategies for optimal procedures.

A commercial manager is responsible for interacting with clients, meeting their needs, and coordinating with staff and upper management in implementing business goals. A commercial manager typically has a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, sales, or a related field. However, employers may consider an applicant who has comparable experience and skills. These individuals should have strong management, interpersonal, communication, and analytical skills and should be knowledgeable about all aspects of the buying and selling of goods and services.

A commercial manager can make up to $108,00 per year, and the career field is expected to grow 5% in the next ten years.

What general advice would you give to a commercial manager?

Ken Corbit Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Marketing, Texas Christian University

Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.

Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.

Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.

Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.

Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.

ScoreCommercial ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.6

Avg. Salary $100,167

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 26.65%

male 73.35%

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

Key steps to become a commercial manager

Explore commercial manager education requirements

Most common commercial manager degrees

Bachelor's

57.6 %

Master's

16.7 %

Associate

10.7 %

Start to develop specific commercial manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	16.37%
Customer Service	9.34%
Business Development	8.39%
CRM	8.16%
Customer Satisfaction	4.14%

Complete relevant commercial manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New commercial 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 commercial manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real commercial manager resumes.

Research commercial manager duties and responsibilities

Analyze and manage export-import logistics for select Chilean products import to Spain.
Perform outbound calls for upselling and offering additional products.
Contract with outside vendor for data analysis and CRM integration.
Prepare weekly sales and CRM reports utilize by senior management in forecasting annual revenue.

Prepare your commercial manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your commercial 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 commercial 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 commercial manager resume templates

Build a professional commercial 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 commercial manager resume.