There are many different types of sales management jobs, and aspiring sales managers will find that the variances between them can make a difference when it comes to overall job satisfaction. In the current sales environment some organizations are choosing to merge sales departments and designate sales roles within the merged department while others are doing away with the separate definitions entirely and relying on all sales reps to pursue sales through all categories. This makes it important to understand the different types of sales management jobs.
Inside sales is sales performed remotely. In some respects this makes sales management jobs in inside sales easier for the sales manager, since the sales manager can more easily track sales rep activities. However, inside sales has a higher ratio of cold calls than most other types of sales, so a sales manager must have a specific set of skills to succeed in inside sales. These include:
Outside or face to face sales is highly competitive and constantly fluid, as the individuals on outside sales teams may be meeting with prospects anywhere from the office to clients’ offices to distant locations. This means that sales management jobs for outside sales require individuals who can be flexible, as well as individuals who:
Hybrid sales is becoming more common as sales departments merge inside and outside sales from separate departments into a single entity. Sales management jobs in hybrid sales require sales managers to:
The consultative role is most often seen in industries like pharmaceuticals; the sales reps working consultative selling roles do not sell directly, usually because of legal guidelines. Consultative selling can be difficult because it is often unclear how a sales person’s activities are directly resulting in sales. This challenge must be owned by the sales manager who is interested in consultative sales management jobs. Sales managers in this sales category should also:
Sales support departments are seen in organizations where the sales team has direct responsibility for selling and there is a clear process to allow sales people to let go of sold accounts and continue selling in the new business arena. Once sales people let go of sold accounts, these accounts typically go to a sales support department, which can sell add-ons and add value while providing customer service and other support functionalities. Sales managers in this role should have the same characteristics as inside sales managers, in addition to an intense focus on the customer service that drives sales support success.
Rhys is a tenacious, top performing Senior Sales Recruiter with 15+ years of focused experience in the Digital Media, Mobile, Software, Technology and B2B verticals. He has a successful track record of headhunting top performing sales candidates for some of the most exciting brands in North America. He is a Certified Recruitment Specialist (CRS) and has expert experience in prospecting new business, client retention/renewals and managing top performing sales and recruitment teams. Rhys enjoys spending quality time with his wife, son, and daughters, BBQing on a hot summer day and tropical vacations.