Post job

Sales associate/manager vs stock manager

The differences between sales associate/managers and stock managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a sales associate/manager and a stock manager. Additionally, a stock manager has an average salary of $120,096, which is higher than the $41,412 average annual salary of a sales associate/manager.

The top three skills for a sales associate/manager include customer service, sales floor and strong customer service. The most important skills for a stock manager are sales floor, store operations, and customer service.

Sales associate/manager vs stock manager overview

Sales Associate/ManagerStock Manager
Yearly salary$41,412$120,096
Hourly rate$19.91$57.74
Growth rate5%1%
Number of jobs318,977183,274
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4343
Years of experience66

What does a sales associate/manager do?

As the name entails, sales associates or associate managers are responsible for helping the store manager organize and run the retail stores. Their roles and responsibilities include ensuring that the store's goals are met by the sales team, hiring and training sales staff, and monitoring inventory. They are also expected to analyze consumer behavior, look for competitive products in the market, and communicate and evaluate clients' needs. To be qualified for this position, you should have experience as an assistant manager, organizational and leadership skills, and proficiency in MS Office.

What does a stock manager do?

A stock manager works in warehouses, manufacturing units, or retail stores. They maintain product inventories through computer systems. They are also responsible for receiving and sending shipments. This position requires a degree in business.

Sales associate/manager vs stock manager salary

Sales associate/managers and stock managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales Associate/ManagerStock Manager
Average salary$41,412$120,096
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $55,000Between $87,000 And $164,000
Highest paying CitySalem, VABelleville, NJ
Highest paying stateMassachusettsRhode Island
Best paying companyGoogleMichael Kors
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between sales associate/manager and stock manager education

There are a few differences between a sales associate/manager and a stock manager in terms of educational background:

Sales Associate/ManagerStock Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiSUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Sales associate/manager vs stock manager demographics

Here are the differences between sales associate/managers' and stock managers' demographics:

Sales Associate/ManagerStock Manager
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 44.2% Female, 55.8%Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between sales associate/manager and stock manager duties and responsibilities

Sales associate/manager example responsibilities.

  • Partner in managing operations of multiple retail outlets, including hiring, performance management, scheduling, and merchandising management.
  • Execute marketing and visual merchandising initiatives and organize POS merchandise display.
  • Partner in managing operations of multiple retail outlets, including hiring, performance management, scheduling, and merchandising management.
  • Start as a part time associate and are promoted to full time Keyholder within 90 days.

Stock manager example responsibilities.

  • Maintain department by establishing merchandising goals, managing inventory control, and maintaining department organization and cleanliness.
  • Ensure VIP rooms are immaculate prior to guests' arrivals.
  • Rotate coffee, pastries and other perishables to keep freshness daily.
  • Process payroll, scheduling, training, recruitment and hiring of all new employees.
  • Cash handling experience: POS knowledge, nightly deposits, experience with GARDA and other money handling, balancing tills.
  • Utilize expertise in POS system in preparation and record keeping of inventories, prices, expenditures, shipments and shortages.
  • Show more

Sales associate/manager vs stock manager skills

Common sales associate/manager skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Sales Floor, 13%
  • Strong Customer Service, 9%
  • Retail Sales, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Product Knowledge, 4%
Common stock manager skills
  • Sales Floor, 21%
  • Store Operations, 20%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Inventory Management, 8%
  • Loss Prevention, 6%
  • Stock Merchandise, 4%