Sales Manager CV Template
Sales Managers lead teams to achieve revenue targets, develop sales strategies, and build client relationships. UK employers want Sales Managers who can demonstrate a track record of exceeding targets while developing high-performing teams. Your CV must be results-driven, with clear revenue figures and evidence of leadership capability.
How to write a Sales Manager CV
A Sales Manager CV is fundamentally a performance document. Your personal statement should lead with numbers: total revenue managed, team size, and your best target-achievement percentage. Something like "Sales Manager leading a team of 12 to £8M annual revenue, consistently exceeding target by 25%+ over four consecutive years" tells a recruiter everything they need in one sentence.
For each role, present your target and achievement side by side using a clear, repeatable format — for example, "FY2024 Target: £4.2M | Achieved: £5.5M (131%)." Then add three to five bullets showing how you got there: new business won, accounts expanded, sales methodology introduced, or team capability built. UK recruiters reviewing Sales Manager CVs look for the numbers first and the narrative second.
A common mistake is focusing exclusively on personal selling and neglecting the management dimension. If you have built a team, describe how: how many you recruited, what training framework you introduced, and what their collective performance was. If you implemented a CRM process, developed a territory plan, or redesigned the incentive structure, include it with measurable results.
CRM proficiency (Salesforce or HubSpot) should appear in your skills section — UK companies expect Sales Managers to be data-literate, not just charismatic. If you hold ILM leadership qualifications or have completed a sales methodology programme (SPIN, Challenger, MEDDIC), mention it. Keep the CV to two pages, use a clean format, and ensure the recruiter can extract your revenue numbers within five seconds of opening the document.
What recruiters look for in a Sales Manager CV
- Consistent track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets with specific figures
- Team management experience with evidence of coaching and developing salespeople
- Strategic thinking — territory planning, market analysis, and sales methodology
- CRM expertise and data-driven approach to pipeline management
- Client relationship skills at senior/enterprise level
- Evidence of building and scaling teams, not just managing existing ones
Key skills for a Sales Manager CV
Example experience bullets for a Sales Manager
Use these as inspiration — always tailor bullets to your own experience and achievements.
Tailor your CV for a Sales Manager position
Upload your CV and a job description. Our AI will tailor your CV in under 60 seconds — optimised for ATS and UK recruiters.
Tailor my CV nowFrequently asked questions
How should I present sales targets and achievements on my CV?
Use a consistent format throughout your CV: state the target, then your achievement (e.g., 'Target: £3M | Achieved: £4.1M — 137%'). Include these figures for every role. Recruiters scanning Sales Manager CVs look for numbers first, so make them prominent and easy to find at a glance.
Should I include my individual sales experience alongside management roles?
Yes, but adjust the emphasis based on the role you're applying for. For senior management positions, focus on team performance, strategy, and leadership. Keep individual contributor achievements brief but include them — they show you understand the frontline reality of selling and can lead by example.
What's the ideal length for a Sales Manager CV?
Two pages is standard for Sales Managers in the UK. Use the first page for your personal statement, key skills, and most recent role (which should be the most detailed). Earlier roles can be condensed to 2-3 bullets each. If you have 15+ years of experience, it's acceptable to use a brief 'Earlier Career' section.