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Commercial manager vs route sales manager

The differences between commercial managers and route 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 commercial manager and a route sales manager. Additionally, a commercial manager has an average salary of $100,167, which is higher than the $48,830 average annual salary of a route sales manager.

The top three skills for a commercial manager include project management, customer service and business development. The most important skills for a route sales manager are food service, sales territory, and sales route.

Commercial manager vs route sales manager overview

Commercial ManagerRoute Sales Manager
Yearly salary$100,167$48,830
Hourly rate$48.16$23.48
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs104,252112,342
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
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 route sales manager do?

A route sales manager is responsible for monitoring the performance of the sales staff within their designated areas, ensuring the adherence to sales goals and objectives efficiently, and providing the highest satisfaction to the customers. Route sales managers develop strategic procedures for marketing campaigns, identifying business opportunities to generate more revenue resources, and increase the company's profitability. They also conduct sales training and programs for the staff to maximize productivity and enhance their sales skills. A route sales manager analyzes sales reports and evaluates customers' needs by studying market trends.

Commercial manager vs route sales manager salary

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

Commercial ManagerRoute Sales Manager
Average salary$100,167$48,830
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $143,000Between $42,000 And $56,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyCheniere Energy-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between commercial manager and route sales manager education

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

Commercial ManagerRoute Sales Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Commercial manager vs route sales manager demographics

Here are the differences between commercial managers' and route sales managers' demographics:

Commercial ManagerRoute Sales Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 73.3% Female, 26.7%Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3%
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 commercial manager and route sales 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

Route sales manager example responsibilities.

  • Prospect and cold-cal commercial locations, building relationships with distributors and manufacturer representatives to leverage internal leads.
  • Maintain medical card and CDL license.
  • Obtain a CDL license and drive a truck with a fifth wheel trailer and maintain that vehicle effectively.
  • Represent a complete line of paper and janitorial supplies to wholesale distributors, service established accounts and develop new business partners.
  • Develop & execute DSD system including tracking and development tools.
  • Create marketing content for pages and promotional initiatives, newsletter design and implementation, create designed and produce PowerPoint presentations.

Commercial manager vs route sales manager skills

Common commercial manager skills
  • Project Management, 16%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Business Development, 8%
  • CRM, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 4%
  • Client Relationships, 4%
Common route sales manager skills
  • Food Service, 46%
  • Sales Territory, 24%
  • Sales Route, 5%
  • Delivery Route, 4%
  • CDL, 4%
  • Ecolab, 2%

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