How To Become A Market Sales Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a market sales manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Bill Thorne,

Felicia Hodges

Market sales managers research and develop marketing opportunities and plans while implementing sales plans and managing staff. They identify marketing opportunities by identifying consumer requirements and defining markets. They also oversee the performance of the company's products and services in a specific target market, earning an average sum of $79,000 annually or $38 per hour.

Market sales managers identify trends and determine system improvements to achieve marketing and sales operational goals. They conduct research and capitalize on different marketing opportunities to improve product marketability and profitability. They also collaborate with other managers and key employers in the sales and marketing department to achieve important goals.

Market sales managers typically hold a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or other related fields. Although, some employers prefer a master's degree and certifications. Some years of management experience in a corporate setting, the ability to innovate and implement change successfully, and excellent communication skills can prove advantageous in the long run.

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

Bill Thorne

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.

ScoreMarket Sales ManagerUS Average

Salary

5.9

Avg. Salary $75,416

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 32.77%

male 67.23%

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

Key steps to become a market sales manager

Explore market sales manager education requirements

Most common market sales manager degrees

Bachelor's

71.7 %

Associate

11.4 %

Master's

6.9 %

Start to develop specific market sales manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	11.76%
Account Management	6.99%
Sales Process	6.49%
Sales Management	5.86%
Customer Satisfaction	5.31%

Complete relevant market sales manager training and internships

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

Research market sales manager duties and responsibilities

Maintain up-to date Delphi traces on all new and ongoing leads, accounts and bookings.
Manage forecast accuracy with CRM and individual promotional planning utilizing tools, e.g.
Leverage other sales office resources and administrative/support staff to achieve personal and team relate revenue goals.
Close at c-level nationally and globally.

Prepare your market sales manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your market sales manager resume.

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