Distribution sales manager vs outside sales manager

The differences between distribution sales managers and outside 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 distribution sales manager and an outside sales manager. Additionally, an outside sales manager has an average salary of $84,408, which is higher than the $64,821 average annual salary of a distribution sales manager.

The top three skills for a distribution sales manager include customer service, customer complaints and sales people. The most important skills for an outside sales manager are product knowledge, CRM, and customer service.

Distribution sales manager vs outside sales manager overview

	Distribution Sales Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Yearly salary	$64,821	$84,408
Hourly rate	$31.16	$40.58
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	119,543	138,054
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	8	8

What does a distribution sales manager do?

A distribution sales manager is tasked to find whole and retail sellers to distribute goods and services. Alongside distribution, the manager's tasks include monitoring all sales, orders, product performance, and retailer feedback to further improve the product. The distribution manager must also have skills in email marketing, B2B correspondence, engage with potential clients and customers, and ensuring all orders are fulfilled on time and without delays.

What does an outside sales manager do?

An outside sales manager is responsible for monitoring the sales staff performance in selling goods and services to existing and potential clients and ensuring that the team meets sales objectives. Outside sales managers set reasonable sales targets and establish techniques to maximize the staff's efficiency and productivity. They regularly connect with the clients to determine their needs and make any adjustments to business plans as needed. An outside sales manager should have excellent knowledge of the current market trends to identify business opportunities that would generate more revenues and resources.

Distribution sales manager vs outside sales manager salary

Distribution sales managers and outside sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Distribution Sales Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Average salary	$64,821	$84,408
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $111,000	Between $51,000 And $138,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Albany, NY
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Hawaii
Best paying company	Accenture	Dominion Enterprises
Best paying industry	Technology	Finance

Differences between distribution sales manager and outside sales manager education

There are a few differences between a distribution sales manager and an outside sales manager in terms of educational background:

	Distribution Sales Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Distribution sales manager vs outside sales manager demographics

Here are the differences between distribution sales managers' and outside sales managers' demographics:

	Distribution Sales Manager	Outside Sales Manager
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between distribution sales manager and outside sales manager duties and responsibilities

Distribution sales manager example responsibilities.

Manage a distributor network throughout EMEA.
Travele to Quito Ecuador to manage opening of Latin American site.
Work as part of a team to achieve ISO 9002 certification.
Arrange and manage the approval process for EU and Australian product markings.
Manage directly a budget of $1.1MM for POS, events, and incentives ,.
Manage POS inventory levels and all POS purchasing, including evaluating potential suppliers and cost effectiveness.

Outside sales manager example responsibilities.

Manage a team of sales executives to establish and maintain professional relationships with healthcare professionals in their prospective territories.
Develop a complete marketing program where none previously exist, now serves as CRM base for company.
Used CRM tools in order to provide current and detail information relate to activities, opportunity pipeline, and close business.
Channele marketing through the establishment of international distributors servicing Mexico (Hermosillo, Mexicali, and Tijuana) and Korea.
Plan and schedule work perform by HVAC technicians.
Educate and present new approach to facility managers and plant managers including ROI analysis.

Distribution sales manager vs outside sales manager skills

Common distribution sales manager skills

Customer Service, 21%
Customer Complaints, 9%
Sales People, 7%
Product Line, 7%
Retail Store, 6%
Business Development, 6%

Common outside sales manager skills

Product Knowledge, 12%
CRM, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Sales Territory, 7%
Sales Strategies, 4%
Sales Growth, 3%

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Distribution Sales Manager
Distribution Sales Manager vs Outside Sales Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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