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Department sales manager vs general sales manager

The differences between department sales managers and general 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 department sales manager and a general sales manager. Additionally, a general sales manager has an average salary of $118,744, which is higher than the $57,136 average annual salary of a department sales manager.

The top three skills for a department sales manager include sales floor, strong customer service and store operations. The most important skills for a general sales manager are customer service, dealership, and customer satisfaction.

Department sales manager vs general sales manager overview

Department Sales ManagerGeneral Sales Manager
Yearly salary$57,136$118,744
Hourly rate$27.47$57.09
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs297,625196,210
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a department sales manager do?

The department sales manager is a person in charge of working with a company's marketing, advertising, and sales department. The service's sales manager ensures that the company receives better marketing. This person works alongside the sales team to determine the right strategy to sustain a profit in the company's products or services. The service sales manager also monitors and evaluates product performance and provides suggestions on how the product or service can be improved and improved.

What does a general sales manager do?

General sales managers are responsible for monitoring the daily operation of the sales team and analyze marketing strategies to improve sales performance and generate more revenues. General sales managers develop strategic plans, adjust sales quotas as needed, identify business opportunities, research current market trends, and evaluate the annual budget. General sales managers also respond to the customers' inquiries and high-level complaints, providing immediate resolutions to ensure customer satisfaction. A general sales manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the sales department, especially on sales techniques in reaching the business' profitability goals.

Department sales manager vs general sales manager salary

Department sales managers and general sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Department Sales ManagerGeneral Sales Manager
Average salary$57,136$118,744
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $78,000Between $71,000 And $196,000
Highest paying City-Westport, CT
Highest paying state-Maine
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between department sales manager and general sales manager education

There are a few differences between a department sales manager and a general sales manager in terms of educational background:

Department Sales ManagerGeneral Sales Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Department sales manager vs general sales manager demographics

Here are the differences between department sales managers' and general sales managers' demographics:

Department Sales ManagerGeneral Sales Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 59.3% Female, 40.7%Male, 85.5% Female, 14.5%
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 department sales manager and general sales manager duties and responsibilities

Department sales manager example responsibilities.

  • Implement inventory management system to effectively manage on-hands, assist with correct replenishment and maintain an acceptable level of over-stock.
  • Take corrective actions for sales and inventory errors at all point of sales (POS) systems.
  • Process merchandise information through store computer system, POS register system and complete all associate paperwork according to company policy.
  • Utilize information technology expertise to develop and maintain web presence, create marketing opportunities, CRM management, and increase productivity.
  • Conduct geotechnical and geological investigations and mineral resource evaluations for commercial, industrial and governmental clients using the above-mentioned drilling techniques.

General sales manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage financial bookkeeping for the company using Quickbooks.
  • Manage hotel through complete interior/exterior renovation and flag change to IHG brand.
  • Develop new sales leads for group, LNR corporate, and leisure travel.
  • Manage all LNR and CRN rates in accordance with brand standards and hotel needs.
  • Manage front office, executing plans to increase occupancy and ADR through walk-ins, up-sells, and management of rate variance.
  • Manage all scheduling and payroll functions to maximize sales and productivity while meeting/exceeding company financial goals.
  • Show more

Department sales manager vs general sales manager skills

Common department sales manager skills
  • Sales Floor, 18%
  • Strong Customer Service, 11%
  • Store Operations, 10%
  • Retail Sales, 8%
  • Cycle Counts, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
Common general sales manager skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Dealership, 12%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 6%
  • Sales Management, 6%
  • Sales Process, 4%
  • Sales Training, 3%

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