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Commercial manager vs channel manager

The differences between commercial managers and channel 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 commercial manager and a channel manager. Additionally, a commercial manager has an average salary of $100,167, which is higher than the $87,573 average annual salary of a channel manager.

The top three skills for a commercial manager include project management, customer service and business development. The most important skills for a channel manager are customer service, CRM, and digital marketing.

Commercial manager vs channel manager overview

Commercial ManagerChannel Manager
Yearly salary$100,167$87,573
Hourly rate$48.16$42.10
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs104,252106,753
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a commercial manager do?

A commercial manager is in charge of devising strategies for optimal procedures. Their responsibilities typically revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs, coordinating with different departments to gather necessary data, performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, and developing new business plans for profit growth and efficient workflow. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a channel manager do?

A channel manager is responsible for supervising client relations within the assigned partner accounts. Channel managers handle the project management strategies to achieve clients' satisfaction by following their specifications and requirements. They manage marketing and promotional campaigns to improve brand awareness of the target market audience. A channel manager also oversees media relations techniques, as well as publishing digital content that would attract customers and generate more revenue resources for the business. A channel manager coordinates with channel partners for maintaining optimal performance and maximum productivity.

Commercial manager vs channel manager salary

Commercial managers and channel managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Commercial ManagerChannel Manager
Average salary$100,167$87,573
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $143,000Between $63,000 And $121,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASunnyvale, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyCheniere EnergyMeta
Best paying industryManufacturingProfessional

Differences between commercial manager and channel manager education

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

Commercial ManagerChannel Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Commercial manager vs channel manager demographics

Here are the differences between commercial managers' and channel managers' demographics:

Commercial ManagerChannel Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 73.3% Female, 26.7%Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%
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 commercial manager and channel manager duties and responsibilities

Commercial manager example 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.
  • Develop multilevel sales programs for introducing new products to top tier distributors and distribution sales representatives.
  • Work with distributors, manufacture representatives and online accounts to ensure accurate distribution, pricing and promotions.
  • Show more

Channel manager example responsibilities.

  • Use SalesForce to keep track of customers and prospective leads information.
  • Manage social media advertising, SEO and PCP advertising as part of daily tasks.
  • Manage and communicate with over 2600 VAR's/reseller accounts at industry relate conferences, user groups and tradeshows.
  • Manage multinational marketing group in strategic marketing and channel development in the Americas, EMEA and APJK.
  • Launch and manage the domestic distribution go-to-market channel strategy.
  • Develop co-marketing business plans resulting in YoY growth with several manage partners.
  • Show more

Commercial manager vs channel manager skills

Common commercial manager skills
  • Project Management, 16%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Business Development, 8%
  • CRM, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 4%
  • Client Relationships, 4%
Common channel manager skills
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • CRM, 5%
  • Digital Marketing, 4%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • Channel Marketing, 4%
  • Cloud, 4%

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