How to hire a commercial manager

How to hire a commercial manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step commercial manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a commercial manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new commercial manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a commercial manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a commercial manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect commercial manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of commercial manager salaries for various roles:

   Type of Commercial Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Commercial Manager	Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams. They set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for organizations’ sales representatives.	$33-68
   Sales And Operations Manager	A sales operations manager is a professional who supports a company's sales and marketing teams by optimizing a tool often collectively known as Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Sales operations managers must serve as a liaison between the teams and the upper management while training staff members on new technology and software... Show more	$32-74
   Regional Accounts Manager	A regional accounts manager specializes in overseeing the account operations within a region or particular area. They are primarily responsible for nurturing new and existing accounts by developing opportunities and strategies, maintaining good relationships with vendors and suppliers, and supervising contracts and client applications... Show more	$23-59

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Customer Service
   • Business Development
   • CRM
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Client Relationships
   • Logistics
   • Pricing Strategy
   • Financial Statements
   • Cloud Computing
   • Team Work
   • Commercial Banking
   • Contract Management
   • Market Trends

   Check all skills

   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.

   More commercial manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your commercial manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A commercial manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, commercial managers' average salary in missouri is 44% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level commercial managers earn 51% less than senior-level commercial managers.
   • Certifications. A commercial manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a commercial manager's salary.

   Average commercial manager salary

   $100,167yearly

   $48.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level commercial manager salary

   $70,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average commercial manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$133,596	$64
   2	District of Columbia	$122,705	$59
   3	Delaware	$119,665	$58
   4	Massachusetts	$114,604	$55
   5	Virginia	$114,106	$55
   6	New York	$112,461	$54
   7	Indiana	$111,261	$53
   8	Michigan	$108,376	$52
   9	Pennsylvania	$105,183	$51
   10	Texas	$104,426	$50
   11	New Jersey	$103,966	$50
   12	Washington	$100,263	$48
   13	North Carolina	$99,512	$48
   14	Georgia	$97,747	$47
   15	Illinois	$97,519	$47
   16	Wisconsin	$97,374	$47
   17	Arizona	$91,856	$44
   18	Florida	$86,884	$42
   19	Minnesota	$86,262	$41
   20	Ohio	$85,577	$41

   Average commercial manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cheniere Energy	$178,954	$86.04
   2	Meta	$176,453	$84.83	43
   3	VMware	$171,925	$82.66
   4	Google	$167,791	$80.67	38
   5	Citi	$160,758	$77.29	3
   6	ZS	$157,856	$75.89
   7	Apple	$156,972	$75.47	13
   8	CITGO Petroleum	$151,372	$72.78
   9	Emergent BioSolutions	$150,595	$72.40
   10	Koch Industries	$146,085	$70.23	2
   11	Regeneron	$137,148	$65.94	3
   12	AstraZeneca	$136,816	$65.78	4
   13	AbbVie	$135,410	$65.10	13
   14	Amgen	$135,263	$65.03	51
   15	Novartis	$134,537	$64.68	8
   16	SunPower	$130,994	$62.98
   17	Alexion Pharmaceuticals	$130,498	$62.74	4
   18	JPMorgan Chase & Co.	$126,128	$60.64	140
   19	Weatherford International	$125,068	$60.13
   20	Agilent Technologies	$122,232	$58.77	10

4. Writing a commercial manager job description

   A job description for a commercial manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a commercial manager job description:

   Commercial manager job description example

   The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a market-driven global company serving customers in more than 100 countries. We own and operate manufacturing facilities in 17 countries, as well as sales and technical offices around the world. Through our global sales and manufacturing networks, we are able to deliver the products and services our customers need, where and when they need them.
   PURPOSE:
   
   The fast-growing industry of 3D Printing (also called Additive Manufacturing) is one of the identified strategic business development areas for Lubrizol. As a North America Commercial Manager, you are responsible to manage and lead the commercial objectives in the region and further expanding our organization's material portfolio to promote and expand the company's commercial activity that will generate revenues and lead to sustainable growth. The North America commercial role, include but are not limited to, add value to our growth activities by identifying new commercial opportunities and managing marketing efforts maintaining our growing 3DP customers across different 3DP technologies, assessing market development opportunities, creating, and implementing customer strategies. Additionally, identifying our current capability gaps and validating potential partners, recommending preferred partnerships.
   
   RESPONSIBILITIES / ACCOUNTABILITIES:
   
   Develop and implement commercial strategies according to company goals and objectives aiming to accelerate growth Understand the requirements of existing customers to ensure their needs are being met Act to acquire new customers and manage client relationships (new and existing) Build and maintain profitable partnerships with key stakeholders Monitor performance of commercial activities using key metrics and prepare reports for senior management Assist in setting financial targets and budget development and monitoring Conducting market research using Lubrizol tools (CMI) to create detailed business plans on commercial opportunities based upon new segment opportunities that fit Lubrizol portfolio Develop in-depth knowledge with the goal to understand market size, trends, potential, requirements, key players, and opportunities Work closely with the global 3D Printing team
   REQUIREMENTS - EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS:
   Bachelor's Degree. An advanced degree is strongly preferred. An entrepreneurial mindset and be able to generate great intimacy with customers, external and internals Preferred proven expertise within the 3D Printing industry. Proven track record of success at developing new segments, customers, pricing negotiations, managing product line profitably Proven track record of success at developing and implementing effective business development strategies, managing product lines and/or budgets. Demonstrated ability to work in a matrix organization and business team environment and dealing with oversea management Willing to travel within US up to 30% of the time. Commercial awareness partnered with a strategic mindset
   
   COMPETENCIES:
   Entrepreneurial spirit, willing to work in a disruptive industry with constant changes and new segments Self-motivated, with strong sense of urgency and drive for results Sound conceptual thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills. Proactively presents issues with recommended solutions, implications and alternate options Compelling influencing, persuasion and negotiation skills - seeks win-win solutions Good organizational ability, able to work with and through others in a matrix organization and in cross-functional business teams Flexible and adaptable, tolerant of uncertainty inherent to dynamic business conditions and new product development Proven experience in sales and/or marketing and managing relationships with key clients Be able to monitor quarterly situation, take actions to minimize potential gaps. Provide realist and stretch budget and action plans Excellent organizational and leadership skills Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
   
   #LI-MA1
   
   While headquartered in the United States, Lubrizol is truly a global specialty chemical company. We have a major presence in five global regions and do business in more than 100 countries. Our corporate culture ensures that Lubrizol is one company throughout the world, but you will find each region is a unique place to work, live and play.
   
   Lubrizol is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship, age, religion, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or any other characteristic or trait protected by federal, state, or local law.
   
   #LI-MA1

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find commercial managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your commercial manager job on Zippia to find and recruit commercial manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit commercial managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new commercial manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect commercial manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new commercial manager first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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