How To Become A Territory Business Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a territory business manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Ken Corbit Ph.D.

Territory business managers are in charge of guiding an organization's sales force. This includes reviewing previous sales results, pursuing more effective training, and setting goals for sales teams. This position is a highly integral part of most corporations and therefore carries with it more job security than other positions.

Territory business managers analyze and interpret financial and sales records, research and develop marketing activities, meet weekly sales goals, manage interpersonal relationships, and train the sales force. They focus on a particular territory, as the name suggests, and communicate with clients on phones, emails, and if need be, meet them physically. A bachelor's degree in marketing or similar discipline is preferable, although a high school diploma or a GED may suffice along with prior work experience in a sales position.

The job often requires flexible hours, but it is highly rewarding. The average hourly salary for the position is $34.04, which amounts to $70, 806 annually.

What general advice would you give to a territory business manager?

Ken Corbit Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Marketing, Texas Christian University

Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.

Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.

Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.

Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.

Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.

ScoreTerritory Business ManagerUS Average

Salary

5.0

Avg. Salary $63,492

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 43.81%

male 56.19%

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 territory business manager

Explore territory business manager education requirements

Most common territory business manager degrees

Bachelor's

83.5 %

Master's

9.1 %

Associate

5.3 %

Start to develop specific territory business manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	35.40%
TBM	8.32%
Product Sales	8.07%
Pharmaceutical Industry	6.05%
Sales Growth	4.27%

Complete relevant territory business manager training and internships

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

Research territory business manager duties and responsibilities

Manage and maintain all payroll, benefits, and retirement functions for the school district employees.
Lead a team of tenure sales professionals successfully representing a portfolio of products in gastroenterology, endocrinology and rheumatology.
Accomplish this by actively prospecting new business, maintaining accountability on all sales efforts, and actualizing attentiveness to detail.
Call on hospitals, physician offices, internists, cardiologists, endocrinologists and neurologists.

Prepare your territory business manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your territory business manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a territory business manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable territory business manager resume templates

Build a professional territory business manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your territory business manager resume.

Apply for territory business manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a territory business manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do territory business managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Territory business manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020

Pros

Semi-flexible work hours. You have a sales goal and customers to call on in order to achieve said goal, so you have some flexibility of your schedule.

Cons

The amount of travel required takes you away from home frequently. If you have a family, being away starts taking a toll on them and work/life balance suffers.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019