Top 15 Skills of Sales Managers for Success in 2025

On average, a sales manager has a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience as a sales rep. But that’s not to say a degree is required. If you want to become a IT Sales Manager job sales manager, start with perfecting and then showcasing these essential skill sets throughout your interview process. This is especially true for titles like Sales Director or Head of Sales positions, which tend to be more senior and concerned with organizational strategy than the average sales manager role. First, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right skills, experience, drive, and track record at the helm in both selling and managing others.

• Make sure your team understands what is expected of them and provide them with the resources and support they need to achieve their goals.
• In an engaged, effective sales organization, all members of the team should be well-versed in the systems and processes they use on a regular basis.
• Check out this round-up of training games and activities to keep your organization engaged.
• The role of an IT Sales Manager is crucial in the highly dynamic and competitive landscape of technology sales.
• Do away with relying on resumes to find the best candidates and reduce human biases that can be introduced in the hiring process.
• These techniques can improve your ability to think on your feet, analyze large swathes of data, and solve problems as they arise.

Sales team coaching and training

Now that we understand the most basic skills needed for a strong career in sales, let’s review some of the competencies that are most beneficial for sales reps looking to grow in their role. Having foundational sales knowledge means understanding each step of the sales process used by your organization to convert customers. You must know what steps an individual takes to go from lead to customer, and what your role is in supporting that process. Though one’s idea of success can vary from person to person, there are some core proficiencies top reps and sales organizations have in common. Let’s explore the core competencies for both sales reps and managers, according to sales leaders.

Writing Your Sales Manager Resume: Section By Section

Product knowledge is crucial, as it enables sales managers to make informed decisions and train their teams effectively. This skill of a sales manager enhances customer interactions and builds trust. Sales managers need strong time management skills to balance the numerous tasks and responsibilities that come with the role. They must prioritize tasks, manage team schedules, and ensure that everyone stays on track to meet sales goals.

Managing Your Time + Helping Your Team Do the Same

But to excel in this competitive and dynamic field, you need to master some essential skills that will set you apart from the rest. Sales managers should also be able to critically assess the reports Programming language that their senior management requires from them. If any given report doesn’t help improve the sales process, it’s important for sales managers to either delegate it to others or speak up in favor of removing it entirely to save time. It is important to maintain detailed distribution records to quickly identify affected customers. Sales managers should also provide sales reps with training on how to professionally handle customer concerns and questions. When organizational changes start occurring due to planned mergers and acquisitions (M&As), sales managers are often the ones who step up to make sure individual sales reps feel heard and valued.