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What is a direct sales manager and how to become one
Direct Sales are the sales directly made to consumers in a non-retail environment. They happen in people's homes, through phone calls and emails, or out in public. The role of a Direct Sales Manager is to lead a team of sales representatives and other personnel and setting and promoting direct sales goals.
The Direct Sales Manager is meant to act as a mentor and a guide for the sales employees put in their charge and are supposed to set monthly, quarterly, and annual plans and goals to promote and sell the company's products. They often work in specific geographical areas and under certain policies and directions given out by higher management. They also often attend job fairs and business events in order to learn more or promote their business.
A person looking to work as a Direct Sales Manager generally needs to have a high school diploma or a GED, though some employers prefer or even require that a candidate have a bachelor's degree in business or marketing or a similarly applicable subject. Good interpersonal and managerial skills are necessary, and so is past experience in sales. On average, they earn a little over $100,000 a year.
What general advice would you give to a direct sales manager?
Bill Thorne
Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs of NRF, National Retail Federation
Avg. Salary $120,139
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 5%
Growth rate 0.3%
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%
Genderfemale 38.06%
male 61.94%
Age - 46American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 46Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Direct sales manager career paths
Key steps to become a direct sales manager
Explore direct sales manager education requirements
Start to develop specific direct sales manager skills
Skills Percentages Sales Professionals 16.65% Account Executives 13.99% Customer Service 8.08% Sales Management 6.53% Payroll 6.02% Complete relevant direct sales manager training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New direct sales 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 direct sales manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real direct sales manager resumes.Research direct sales manager duties and responsibilities
- Lead the SEO team and direct all SEO strategies and initiatives.
- Leverage other sales office resources and administrative/support staff to achieve personal and team relate revenue goals.
- Conduct direct sales calls to all key accounts, both distributors and chains.
- Utilize information technology expertise to develop and maintain web presence, create marketing opportunities, CRM management, and increase productivity.
Prepare your direct sales manager resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your direct sales 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 direct sales 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 direct sales manager resume templates
Build a professional direct sales 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 direct sales manager resume.
Apply for direct sales manager jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a direct sales manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first direct sales manager job
João Salvador
Direct Sales Manager
During this period, I worked in several departments such as: Mpesa, as a Back Office Officer, Training, Product and Service Testing Officer and finally as a Salesman.
I managed to gain vast experience in the different areas I worked on.
However, the area that most enchanted me was the sales area, where I was crowned the best salesperson in the country for two consecutive years.
I remember I didn't do anything extraordinary, I simply enjoyed selling and communicating with customers, always putting myself in their shoes and offering the best possible solutions.
I have always valued customer satisfaction.
In 2017, I decided to start my own business, I opened a micro-bakery. It was a success for a while, but then some things went wrong and the business prospered as I imagined it would. However, it was a great experience. I was able to have experience in sales and personnel management.
In 2022, I joined the largest advertising company in the world, a subsidiary in Mozambique, at JCDECAUX I learned to sell in a more corporate way, as a sales executive, I developed professional relationships and was able to develop a vast pipeline, containing contacts of several managers who They operate in different sectors and industries, from banks, FMCG's, clinics and much more.
What I am today, I largely learned during my journey at JCDECAUX.
In 2023, I worked at CServe Technologies, as Business Development Manager, it was not one of the best experiences, as I believe that patronage must invest enough so that its employees can perform well and not make excuses. Unfortunately it didn't happen and I couldn't continue with them for that and other reasons.
I currently lead a team of young singers and fighters. I feel capable of managing a vast team of salespeople and marketers, thanks to the experiences I have gained over several years of work.
Currently working for Marktech Consultoria, a company dedicated to offering various solutions around marketing, advertising and technology, it has been a unique experience. Because I can share and improve my knowledge every day.
Average direct sales manager salary
The average direct sales manager salary in the United States is $120,139 per year or $58 per hour. Direct sales manager salaries range between $80,000 and $178,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do direct sales managers rate their job?
Direct sales manager reviews
Motivating people and helping to create success in each person's day. Honor God serve people in rich people's lives, pursue excellence in service.
Not enough time in each day to get everything accomplished.
Coming in contact with people, motivating staff, making the numbers, profitability for everyone
I like everything
Working and meeting new people. Helping customers with their purchases. Helping employees better themselves and their sales processes.
Nothing
Updated January 8, 2025
