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National sales director vs distribution sales manager

The differences between national sales directors and distribution 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 national sales director and a distribution sales manager. Additionally, a national sales director has an average salary of $99,665, which is higher than the $64,821 average annual salary of a distribution sales manager.

The top three skills for a national sales director include CRM, healthcare and business development. The most important skills for a distribution sales manager are customer service, customer complaints, and sales people.

National sales director vs distribution sales manager overview

National Sales DirectorDistribution Sales Manager
Yearly salary$99,665$64,821
Hourly rate$47.92$31.16
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs99,107119,543
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a national sales director do?

A national sales director is responsible for monitoring the sales targets and performance of the sales force across the country's regions. National sales directors handle the execution and release of goods and services according to market trends and public demands. They strategize on related business opportunities to identify additional resources that would increase the company's revenue and profitability. A national sales director conducts data and statistical analysis to determine pricing techniques, considering the availability of supplies and its market demands.

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.

National sales director vs distribution sales manager salary

National sales directors and distribution sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

National Sales DirectorDistribution Sales Manager
Average salary$99,665$64,821
Salary rangeBetween $73,000 And $135,000Between $37,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CityMountain View, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyCargillAccenture
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalTechnology

Differences between national sales director and distribution sales manager education

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

National Sales DirectorDistribution Sales Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

National sales director vs distribution sales manager demographics

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

National Sales DirectorDistribution Sales Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 75.9% Female, 24.1%Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between national sales director and distribution sales manager duties and responsibilities

National sales director example responsibilities.

  • Manage relationships, POS, and oversee coffee sales for key core accounts H.T.
  • Lead team on product redesign to web-base SaaS infrastructure and generate feature content base on customer need and marketability.
  • Develop key POS material to assist the sales force across the country.
  • Reverse negative relationship with distributors through personal relationship building, changes in sales execution, and implementation of new distributor programs.
  • Follow up with program recap including syndicate research to support effectiveness of program as well as ROI analysis.
  • Partner with vendors to obtain quality merchandise at desirable price points to obtain highest ROI and profit optimization.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

National sales director vs distribution sales manager skills

Common national sales director skills
  • CRM, 9%
  • Healthcare, 9%
  • Business Development, 5%
  • Product Development, 5%
  • Revenue Growth, 5%
  • Salesforce, 4%
Common distribution sales manager skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Customer Complaints, 9%
  • Sales People, 7%
  • Product Line, 7%
  • Retail Store, 6%
  • Business Development, 6%

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