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

What is a sales manager/office manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Bill Thorne

This manager coordinates and oversees administrative duties in the sales department while also leading the sales team. He/She ensures that the office operates efficiently and smoothly by providing guidance, training, and mentorship. He/She manages office supplies inventory and restocks as necessary. Besides that, the sales manager will be tasked with overseeing other administrative staff and supporting staff with administrative tasks. He/She monitors sales goals and reports results as required. Additionally, he/she promotes the organization and its products.

For this role, employers require a bachelor's degree in communications, business administration, or a related field. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience. You must possess communication, customer service, organization, attention to detail, problem-solving, time management, analytical, and interpersonal skills. You must also be proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite. This personnel earns an average annual income of $46,529. This varies from $31,000 to $69,000.

What general advice would you give to a sales manager/office 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.

ScoreSales Manager/Office ManagerUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $41,346

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 73.84%

male 26.16%

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 sales manager/office manager

Explore sales manager/office manager education requirements

Most common sales manager/office manager degrees

Bachelor's

48.9 %

Associate

25.2 %

High School Diploma

14.6 %

Start to develop specific sales manager/office manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Purchase Orders	10.95%
Financial Statements	7.09%
Office Operations	4.43%
QuickBooks	4.06%
Inventory Control	3.66%

Complete relevant sales manager/office manager training and internships

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

Research sales manager/office manager duties and responsibilities

Manage accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R), match invoices to receipt and checks.
Produce a steady number of sales a month and process DMV documentation for the location.
Work closely with local NC DMV to process titles and acquire tags for the customers.
Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.

Prepare your sales manager/office manager resume

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

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