Sales Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
How AI Impacts Each Task
17 tasks analyzed
Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale.
Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase.
Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
Determine price schedules and discount rates.
Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures.
Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
Assess marketing potential of new and existing store locations, considering statistics and expenditures.
Plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and service programs.
Direct, coordinate, and review activities in sales and service accounting and record-keeping, and in receiving and shipping operations.
Visit franchised dealers to stimulate interest in establishment or expansion of leasing programs.
Direct clerical staff to keep records of export correspondence, bid requests, and credit collections, and to maintain current information on tariffs, licenses, and restrictions.
Advise dealers and distributors on policies and operating procedures to ensure functional effectiveness of business.
Confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment and customer specifications.
Direct foreign sales and service outlets of an organization.
Represent company at trade association meetings to promote products.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 15% | |
| Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service. | 47.6Observed | 34.0% | 10% | |
| Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase. | 47.02Observed | 33.8% | 8% | |
| Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability. | 57.8Observed | 50.1% | 8% | |
| Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 10% | |
| Determine price schedules and discount rates. | 38.9Observed | 42.6% | 5% | |
| Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 5% | |
| Assess marketing potential of new and existing store locations, considering statistics and expenditures. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and service programs. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 8% | |
| Direct, coordinate, and review activities in sales and service accounting and record-keeping, and in receiving and shipping operations. | 85Estimated | 83.2% | 5% | |
| Visit franchised dealers to stimulate interest in establishment or expansion of leasing programs. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 3% | |
| Direct clerical staff to keep records of export correspondence, bid requests, and credit collections, and to maintain current information on tariffs, licenses, and restrictions. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Advise dealers and distributors on policies and operating procedures to ensure functional effectiveness of business. | 69.8Observed | 42.9% | 4% | |
| Confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment and customer specifications. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Direct foreign sales and service outlets of an organization. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 2% | |
| Represent company at trade association meetings to promote products. | 65.15Observed | 41.1% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Sales Managers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
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Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
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Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis