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What is a division sales manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Bill Thorne
introduction image

Large companies with a large reach and a big product base often have multiple teams working on sales targets. These teams are called divisions. These divisions may be based on regional operations, product types, or key accounts. Their targets are dependent on their division and on the division's historical performance. To ensure that the targets are met, division sales managers lead the divisions.

Division sales managers take care of the specific division they are handling. They manage the performance of their division and ensure that the targets are met. In cases that the target is not met, they create ways to mitigate challenges. Division sales managers are expected to be familiar with the key characteristics of the division they are handling. They should also have experience in managing such divisions.

If you want to be a division sales manager, you should be familiar with the context of the division you may be hired to oversee. You should also have extensive experience in sales. It would also be a plus if you are innovative and creative.

What general advice would you give to a division sales manager?

Bill ThorneBill Thorne LinkedIn profile

Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs of NRF, National Retail Federation

Retail is the largest private-sector employer in the country, directly employing 32 million people and supporting 52 million jobs overall - roughly one-quarter of the U.S. workforce. While COVID-19 has presented new and unexpected challenges, retailers have continued to showcase the industry's resilience and adaptability time and again. The safety and security of customers and employees remains our greatest priority. It is no doubt that the professional environment has changed this year, but retail continues to offer a plethora of career opportunities for graduates and seasoned veterans alike.
ScoreDivision Sales ManagerUS Average
Salary
6.9

Avg. Salary $87,731

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.7
Race

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%

Gender

female 17.90%

male 82.10%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Division sales manager career paths

Key steps to become a division sales manager

  1. Explore division sales manager education requirements

    Most common division sales manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    78.1 %

    Associate

    9.2 %

    Master's

    9.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific division sales manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Home Health27.71%
    Sales Process14.06%
    Performance Management10.05%
    Sales Strategies9.70%
    Sales Management3.16%
  3. Complete relevant division sales manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New division 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 division sales manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real division sales manager resumes.
  4. Research division sales manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage a team of sales executives to establish and maintain professional relationships with healthcare professionals in their prospective territories.
    • Reorganize in-house automotive machine shop operations eliminating service losses and quality issues; increase sales, productivity and customer satisfaction.
    • Create marketing content for pages and promotional initiatives, newsletter design and implementation, create designed and produce PowerPoint presentations.
  5. Prepare your division sales manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your division 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 division 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 division sales manager resume templates

    Build a professional division 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 division sales manager resume.
    Division Sales Manager Resume
    Division Sales Manager Resume
    Division Sales Manager Resume
    Division Sales Manager Resume
    Division Sales Manager Resume
    Division Sales Manager Resume
    Division Sales Manager Resume
    Division Sales Manager Resume
    Division Sales Manager Resume
  6. Apply for division sales manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a division sales manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first division sales manager job

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Average division sales manager salary

The average division sales manager salary in the United States is $87,731 per year or $42 per hour. Division sales manager salaries range between $55,000 and $137,000 per year.

Average division sales manager salary
$87,731 Yearly
$42.18 hourly

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How do division sales managers rate their job?

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Division sales manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

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.

Cons

Not enough time in each day to get everything accomplished.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Semi-flexible work hours. You have a sales goal and customers to call on in order to achieve said goal, so you have some flexibility of your schedule.

Cons

The amount of travel required takes you away from home frequently. If you have a family, being away starts taking a toll on them and work/life balance suffers.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Coming in contact with people, motivating staff, making the numbers, profitability for everyone

Cons

I like everything


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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