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General sales manager skills for your resume and career

Q: What skills stand out on General Sales Manager resumes?

Substantiated numbers such as sales pipeline efficiency, callbacks, meetings, and repeat purchasing are more important than listing responsibilities. Also, management-level personnel should have team growth numbers and coaching methodologies listed with substantiated returns from such efforts.

Q: What skills will help General Sales Managers earn the most?

Research about the client and strategic questions (with active listening) to understand a client's needs and opportunities will help a sales professional determine if there is value alignment, which leads to more efficient and remunerative outcomes.

Q: What soft skills should all General Sales Managers possess?

Ability to listen, humility, empathy toward clients, due diligence regarding pre-meeting research, authenticity (i.e., engaging personnel with honesty and with thoughts, words, and actions all aligning), and integrity with the client and within your firm.

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Adry S. Clark Ph.D.,

Andrea Dixon Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical general sales manager skills. We ranked the top skills for general sales managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 14.8% of general sales manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a general sales manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 general sales manager skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how general sales managers use customer service:

Coached sales team on how to effectively captivate clients and conduct persuasive product demonstrations while delivering optimum customer service.
Converted Owner Operator delivery system into Pre-Sell / Tell-Sell bulk delivery system, improving customer service and deliveries.

2. Dealership

A store or establishment that is authorized to sell a specific brand of goods is known as a dealership. Mostly this term is used for the buying and selling of vehicles and automobiles. A business is considered a dealership if it had permission to sell certain items from a particular company, making them dealers of that brand.

Here's how general sales managers use dealership:

Partnered with dealership management to create a positive environment that was directed towards sales generation and attainment of dealership goals.
Worked collaboratively with dealership owner to formulate marketing strategies and promotional campaigns to increase traffic and maximize closing percentage.

3. Customer Satisfaction

Here's how general sales managers use customer satisfaction:

Worked directly with Advertising and Marketing departments and introduced mobile technology and responsive web-design to dealer for increased customer satisfaction and reach
Negotiated lower cost positions and better terms and conditions with strategic vendors that directly improved bottom-line profitability while improving customer satisfaction.

4. Sales Management

Here's how general sales managers use sales management:

Worked closely with wholesale distributor principals, upper management to sales management of brand management.
Furthered reputation as an excellent mentor - developed and promoted 6 representatives into sales management.

5. Sales Process

Here's how general sales managers use sales process:

Implemented Sales Process including revamping Internet Department to increase volume and profitability.
Developed sales process and marketing materials for presenting successful technology bids.

6. Sales Training

Here's how general sales managers use sales training:

Hired professional consultants to assist in installing a sales training program which required timed continuing education.
Contracted by numerous schools to provide sales training and operational improvements throughout north America.

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7. Sales Growth

Here's how general sales managers use sales growth:

Recognized for dramatically increasing the profitability of four locations with improved operational processes and sales growth.
Hired and developed out-of-industry new account executives to specialize in specific sales growth areas.

8. CSI

CSI stands for crime scene investigator. This position is responsible for processing the evidence gathered at the scene of a crime, such as fingerprints, fibers, and any DNA found on site. Crime scene investigators only manage the extraction of evidence and are not responsible for any scientific analysis performed on the evidence.

Here's how general sales managers use csi:

Monitored monthly CSI reporting and initiated training or procedural changes to address opportunities to improve the customer experience.
Corrected sub standard CSI per Regional comparisons through implementation of scripted follow-up and adjusted compensation schedules.

9. Inventory Control

Here's how general sales managers use inventory control:

Purchased material for re-sale, managed/setup utilities, handled inventory control for products/supplies, arranged lease agreements/building maintenance, and security.
Supervised daily business operations for sales/marketing, inventory control, personnel management, staff training, budget development and capital requirements.

10. Sales Reps

Here's how general sales managers use sales reps:

Managed Team of 3 sales reps with sales in excess of 3 million and company sales of 5 million dollars.
Developed and managed 12 inside sales reps/ customer service operations aimed at nurturing independent, high quality and team-oriented employees.

11. Vehicle Sales

Here's how general sales managers use vehicle sales:

Managed all variable operations and business development functions, including new vehicle sales reporting, orders and inventory management.
Updated and maintained inventory, reported vehicle sales to manufacturer, and coordinated monthly advertising.

12. Inventory Management

Here's how general sales managers use inventory management:

Full responsibility for branch vision, execution, profitability, business and strategic planning, product/inventory management and personnel development processes.
Managed multiple locations with evolving responsibilities including P&L accountability, human resources duties, and inventory management.

13. Business Development

Business development is the ideas or initiatives that work to make business work better. Selling, advertising, product development, supply chain management, and vendor management are only a few of the divisions involved with it. There is still a lot of networking, negotiating, forming alliances, and trying to save money. The goals set for business development guide and coordinate with all of these various operations and sectors.

Here's how general sales managers use business development:

Engaged in extensive business development, cultivating relationships with prospective clients while strengthening existing accounts to promote repeat business and referrals.
Implemented a Business Development Center software tool and trained team to consistently manage incoming inquiries, appointments and follow-up activities.

14. Sales Associates

Here's how general sales managers use sales associates:

Maximized sales associates potential through training and motivation, thus improving performances and increasing sales; recruited and retained qualified personal.
Manage a team of eight sales associates Recruiting and Training Responsible for daily operations including wholesale purchasing and selling

15. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how general sales managers use payroll:

Converted to new payroll and accounting systems that reduced and improved tax reporting and corporate consolidations.
Managed all scheduling and payroll functions to maximize sales and productivity while meeting/exceeding company financial goals.

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What skills help General Sales Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on general sales manager resumes?

Adry S. Clark Ph.D.

Director, Western Oregon University

The skills that stand out on resumes fall into two categories: 1) Skills required to do the job and 2) Skills almost all employers look for. The most important aspect of resumes is to make sure it reflects exactly what the employer needs. Study the job description, identify key skills, and have them reflected on your resume. Think about transferrable skills, not the specific roles you've had.

Most employers look for skills such as communication (written/oral), flexibility, proactivity, problem-solving, project management, and technical. Make sure to cultivate those skills in whatever role you have, and have examples that demonstrate those skills.

What soft skills should all general sales managers possess?

Andrea Dixon Ph.D.

Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021, Baylor University

Since sales professionals have a lot of information available to them today via customer relationship management (CRM) systems, the sales manager's "supervisory" role is less important (especially for experienced sellers). Consequently, the sales manager needs to be more of a coach and enabler of high performance. Having confidence balanced with humility allows the sales manager to engage more effectively with their salespeople.
One of the critical soft skills for sales managers going forward will be the ability to connect members of the sales team to others in the organization - in other words, the sales manager of the future needs to have strong skills in network building for others. Sellers have access to data which helps them build success.
They also need access to the right people to turn to when they need specific expertise or assistance.

What hard/technical skills are most important for general sales managers?

Andrea Dixon Ph.D.

Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021, Baylor University

One of the growing technical skill requirements for sales managers is in the area of data analytics. Our performance and customer systems provide a myriad of data, and the role of the sales manager is to be a sense-maker of that mound of data. What are the implications for changes in strategy or behavior evident in last quarter's activity? How can the sales manager help a specific seller "see" where the data suggest new approaches?

What general sales manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kerri Orders

Assistant Professor of Business, Aquinas College

In terms of a gap year, I recommend that international business students acquire tangible skills, relevant experience and/or certifications which will enhance their success in their desired area of interest. For example, a gap year could consist of gaining technical or digital training overseas, which would also further the students' cultural intelligence and language proficiency. These types of enriching gap year experiences will assist students to distinguish themselves in a highly competitive market. Furthermore, students should focus on broadening and maintaining their global network during a gap year in order to be ready for the job market once the gap year is concluded.

What type of skills will young general sales managers need?

Michael Mikitka

Executive Vice President, MHI – Material Handling Industry

Courses and internships are essential. While the required depth of knowledge may vary from one position to another, employers are generally looking for candidates with strong "people-related" skills, those who are willing to continue to learn, and those with the ability to be flexible and adapt.

By "people-related" skills, I mean the abilities associated with effective communication (listen and express ideas and direction) and the skills related to working independently and a team.

As for the interest to continually learn... from a technology, data, and equipment perspective, today's supply chain looks very different than it did 10-years ago. The willingness and ability to continually learn are essential for anyone in a leadership role.

As for flexibility and adapting...supply chain/logistics is as much about responding to disruption and demand as it is planning for it. There is a predictable demand (i.e., seasonal...everyone knows when back-to-school shopping begins). Then there is the unpredictable demand (i.e., power-outages, wildfires, pandemic) that impact market and the ability to operate. Candidates that express flexibility and problem-solving skills will be much sought-after.

Do you want to know more?

List of general sales manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a general sales manager resume and required skills for a general sales manager to have include:

Customer Service
Dealership
Customer Satisfaction
Sales Management
Sales Process
Sales Training
Sales Growth
CSI
Inventory Control
Sales Reps
Vehicle Sales
Inventory Management
Business Development
Sales Associates
Payroll
Sales Strategies
Account Executives

Product Knowledge
Sales Revenue
Customer Complaints
Gross Profit
Sales Volume
Sales Operations
Sales Objectives
Sales Professionals
Product Line
Sales People
Sales Efforts
Customer Retention
BDC
Business Plan
Media Sales
Direct Reports
Vehicle Inventory

Retail Sales
Sales Reports
Sales Floor
Human Resources
Emerging Markets
GSM
Performance Evaluations
Honda
Sales Quota
OEM
Unit Sales
Car Sales
Customer Relations
Chrysler
Revenue Growth
Toyota