Distribution sales manager vs sales account manager

The differences between distribution sales managers and sales account 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 a sales account manager. Additionally, a distribution sales manager has an average salary of $64,821, which is higher than the $58,630 average annual salary of a sales account manager.

The top three skills for a distribution sales manager include customer service, customer complaints and sales people. The most important skills for a sales account manager are customer service, CRM, and customer satisfaction.

Distribution sales manager vs sales account manager overview

	Distribution Sales Manager	Sales Account Manager
Yearly salary	$64,821	$58,630
Hourly rate	$31.16	$28.19
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	119,543	163,697
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
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 a sales account manager do?

The account sales manager is in charge of the retention of their customer relationship. They have to supervise the portfolio of existing clients, develop new business with them, and seek new sales opportunities. Account sales managers act as liaisons between the company and customer as well as build strong, long-lasting relationships by providing an improved customer experience. It is their responsibility to negotiate contracts and close deals to maximize sales profits. Also, they forecast track sales results and prepare reports on account status.

Distribution sales manager vs sales account manager salary

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

	Distribution Sales Manager	Sales Account Manager
Average salary	$64,821	$58,630
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $111,000	Between $33,000 And $101,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Hawaii
Best paying company	Accenture	Google
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between distribution sales manager and sales account manager education

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

	Distribution Sales Manager	Sales Account Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Distribution sales manager vs sales account manager demographics

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

	Distribution Sales Manager	Sales Account Manager
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%	Male, 63.4% Female, 36.6%
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 sales account 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.

Sales account manager example responsibilities.

Manage RFQ/RFP responses to telecommunication, government and utility customers utilizing CRM system to manage customers.
Recruit to develop and manage new sales territory selling MRO industrial goods and services to existing and potential customers.
Manage and coordinate daily sales activities through target cold calling and telemarketing.
Organize and maintain existing national clients for process refrigeration and HVAC maintenance and service.
Maintain database, create mailers, and work in SalesForce to determine new possible clients.
Founded in 1935 ATD has grown from a regional family-own company to a successful nationwide distribution enterprise.

Distribution sales manager vs sales account 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 sales account manager skills

Customer Service, 13%
CRM, 8%
Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Account Management, 5%
Product Knowledge, 4%
Business Development, 4%

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Distribution Sales Manager
Distribution Sales Manager vs Sales Account Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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