Post job

Retail sales manager vs territory manager

The differences between retail sales managers and territory 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 retail sales manager and a territory manager. Additionally, a territory manager has an average salary of $73,728, which is higher than the $48,678 average annual salary of a retail sales manager.

The top three skills for a retail sales manager include retail sales, store operations and store sales. The most important skills for a territory manager are customer service, patients, and product knowledge.

Retail sales manager vs territory manager overview

Retail Sales ManagerTerritory Manager
Yearly salary$48,678$73,728
Hourly rate$23.40$35.45
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs353,765106,325
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a retail sales manager do?

A retail sales manager is responsible for managing the retail sales department's operations, ensuring the highest customer satisfaction with the staff's efficiency and performance. Retail sales managers develop sales strategies and marketing campaigns to boost revenues, increasing the company's profitability. They also conduct training and programs for staff to maximize their productivity and provide the best customer service for their clients. A retail sales manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns, and resolve their complaints.

What does a territory manager do?

A territory manager is responsible for monitoring the sales operations of the different sales team of an organization. One of the most crucial duties of a territory manager is to encourage the sales team to provide the best results for increasing the company's profitability. Territory managers are conducting sales training, improving marketing strategies and approach, reviewing sales pitches, analyzing current market trends, and reaching sales goals. Territory managers must display exceptional leadership and customer service skills to manage customers' needs and identify more business opportunities.

Retail sales manager vs territory manager salary

Retail sales managers and territory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Retail Sales ManagerTerritory Manager
Average salary$48,678$73,728
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $66,000Between $46,000 And $117,000
Highest paying CityReno, NVSeattle, WA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaAlaska
Best paying companyTalbotsFUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
Best paying industryManufacturingPharmaceutical

Differences between retail sales manager and territory manager education

There are a few differences between a retail sales manager and a territory manager in terms of educational background:

Retail Sales ManagerTerritory Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

Retail sales manager vs territory manager demographics

Here are the differences between retail sales managers' and territory managers' demographics:

Retail Sales ManagerTerritory Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 61.2% Female, 38.8%Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7%
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 retail sales manager and territory manager duties and responsibilities

Retail sales manager example responsibilities.

  • Create and lead staff development sessions on solution selling techniques/running effective promotions/POS execution/trade math.
  • Receive and count new products, reconcile delivery invoices, tickets, and enter new products into POS system.
  • Complete customer transactions using POS register system.
  • Deliver consistently strong results in identifying and capitalizing on cross-selling opportunities to advance corporate-define marketing campaigns and effectively increase revenue streams.
  • Oversee floor day to day operations by obtaining the acquisition of customer accounts and provide superior leadership to team members.
  • Provide leadership training and coaching with a proven record of accountability
  • Show more

Territory manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve MVP in Q3 2003 and Q1 through Q4 2004.
  • Manage promotional budgets focusing on high ROI events, thus increasing sales at lower promotional cost.
  • Manage all aspects of TM specification, sales, order management and delivery of customer's orders.
  • Generate leads through internet research, marketing, trade show participation, internal department cross-selling, and referrals.
  • Manage all aspects of SalesForce CRM integration and administration throughout the entire sales department
  • Achieve profitable relationships with current and prospective customers by providing exceptional customer support through attentiveness and extensive product knowledge.
  • Show more

Retail sales manager vs territory manager skills

Common retail sales manager skills
  • Retail Sales, 13%
  • Store Operations, 7%
  • Store Sales, 6%
  • Retail Store, 5%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Sales Associates, 5%
Common territory manager skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • CRM, 5%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%

Browse executive management jobs