Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Sales and Operations Manager
💰 $70,000 - $120,000
🎯 Role Definition
The Sales and Operations Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating sales initiatives while managing day-to-day operations. This role ensures alignment between sales targets and operational capabilities, drives revenue growth, optimizes processes, manages teams, and implements strategies to achieve organizational objectives.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Sales Supervisor
- Operations Coordinator
- Account Manager
Advancement To:
- Director of Sales and Operations
- Regional Operations Manager
- Vice President of Sales
Lateral Moves:
- Business Development Manager
- Operations Manager
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Develop and execute sales strategies to meet or exceed revenue targets.
- Oversee day-to-day operational activities to ensure efficiency, productivity, and quality standards.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for both sales and operations to identify trends and opportunities.
- Manage and mentor sales and operations teams, providing guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.
- Collaborate with finance, marketing, and logistics teams to align operational processes with sales initiatives.
- Analyze sales data and operational metrics to forecast demand, allocate resources, and optimize inventory.
- Implement process improvements to enhance workflow efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Prepare and present regular reports to senior leadership on sales performance, operational efficiency, and team productivity.
- Develop and maintain customer relationships to drive repeat business and client retention.
- Negotiate contracts, pricing, and service agreements with clients and vendors.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and safety standards.
- Lead cross-functional projects to improve product delivery, service quality, and operational procedures.
- Coordinate logistics, supply chain, and distribution processes to support sales objectives.
- Manage budgets and resource allocation for sales campaigns and operational initiatives.
- Develop and implement training programs for team members to enhance skills and performance.
- Identify market trends, customer needs, and competitor activities to inform business strategy.
- Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of top-performing sales and operations staff.
- Resolve escalated client issues and operational challenges to maintain service excellence.
- Collaborate with IT teams to implement technology solutions for sales and operational efficiency.
- Monitor customer feedback and operational outcomes to continuously improve processes and performance.
Secondary Functions
- Support ad-hoc reports and exploratory analyses on sales and operational performance.
- Contribute to long-term strategic planning for sales growth and operational scalability.
- Collaborate with business units to translate strategic goals into actionable plans and initiatives.
- Participate in organizational initiatives such as cost reduction programs, workflow optimization, or system implementation projects.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Sales strategy development and execution
- Operations management and process optimization
- Performance metrics tracking and data analysis
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Forecasting and inventory management
- Contract negotiation and vendor management
- Reporting and analytics tools (Excel, Power BI, Salesforce, etc.)
- Workflow and project management
- Supply chain and logistics coordination
Soft Skills
- Leadership and team management
- Effective communication and presentation skills
- Strategic thinking and decision-making
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Collaboration and cross-functional teamwork
- Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced environment
- Organizational and time management
- Customer-focused mindset
- Conflict resolution and negotiation skills
- Professionalism and integrity
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Sales, or related field
Preferred Education:
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or Sales Leadership
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Business Administration or Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Operations and Logistics
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
3–7 years in sales management, operations management, or combined sales and operations roles
Preferred:
Proven experience leading sales and operations teams, managing cross-functional initiatives, and driving revenue growth while optimizing operational efficiency