How much does a Head of department, wholesale make

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Head of department, wholesale

37 800 kr

Sales-oriented store managers and department managers in stores

34 600 - 41 000 kr / month

Women earn 101% of what men do.

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What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Head of department, wholesale

Average salary 37 800 kr
Males 37 500 kr
Females 38 000 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 10 Vacant jobs ->

What does a department manager in wholesale do? – Tasks and working environment

A department manager in wholesale is responsible for leading and developing a specific department within a wholesale or bulk trading operation. Tasks include personnel management, budget work, purchasing planning, and coordinating logistics flows. The role often involves both strategic and operational elements, ensuring sales targets are met and customer relationships are maintained. The working environment is often office-based but can also include presence in warehouses or sales locations, creating variety and opportunities for close contact with different parts of the business.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, the salary for a department manager in wholesale has shown a steady increase. In 2022, the average salary was 35,500 SEK per month, rising to 36 800 SEK in 2023 and further to 37 800 SEK in 2024. The total increase amounts to approximately 6.5% over the period, aligning with the general salary trend for managerial positions in the trade sector. Factors driving this development include increased competition for qualified leaders, higher demands for digital skills, and a growing need for efficient logistics management. The salary increase also reflects a trend where female department managers now earn slightly more on average than their male colleagues, which is uncommon in managerial roles in Sweden.

Department manager, wholesale salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 37 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 34,600 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 41,000 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage (average): 227 SEK
  • Women earn: 38 000 SEK (101% of men's salary)
  • Men earn: 37,500 SEK

Education and qualifications

To work as a department manager in wholesale, a high school diploma with a focus on trade, logistics, or economics is usually required, often supplemented with post-secondary studies or relevant courses. Practical experience from the trade or logistics sector is highly valued, as is documented leadership experience. Many employers view certifications in leadership or warehouse management positively, and it is common for managers to pursue continuing education to meet new industry requirements.

  • High school diploma: Trade and administration program (3 years)
  • Post-secondary studies: YH-education in logistics or economics (1–2 years)
  • Certifications: Leadership training and courses in warehousing/logistics
  • Practical experience: Experience from trade or logistics operations
  • Recruitment tips: Documented leadership experience and ability to work systematically

Department managers in wholesale often have the opportunity to influence business development directly, and the role frequently involves contact with both suppliers and large corporate customers. This creates a dynamic and varied workday where decision-making and problem-solving are central.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for department managers in wholesale include occupational pension, wellness allowance, bonuses, and sometimes private healthcare insurance. Flexible working hours, mobile phones, and opportunities for professional development through internal or external training are also typical. The extent of benefits varies depending on the employer and employment form.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a department manager in wholesale is relatively high, especially in metropolitan areas where the supply of qualified candidates is larger. Challenges in the role include balancing personnel responsibilities with profitability and efficiency demands, while the industry is affected by rapid changes in digital commerce and logistics. Increasing automation requires higher technical understanding, and the ability to lead change processes is crucial. Additionally, workload can be high during periods of reorganization or seasonal variations, requiring stress resilience and good planning skills.

Tips for those who want to become a department manager in wholesale

To succeed as a department manager in wholesale, it is good to be organized and capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously. Demonstrating leadership daily by supporting and motivating the team provides good conditions for creating a pleasant work environment and achieving business goals. Flexibility is an important trait, especially during rapid changes and when unexpected situations arise in the logistics chain. Clear and communicative behavior facilitates collaboration with both colleagues and suppliers. The ability to analyze figures and make decisions based on data is also valuable, especially in budgeting and results follow-up. Engagement and initiative are appreciated by employers, while it is also important to continuously develop knowledge of the industry's digital tools.

Key facts about a department manager in wholesale

  • Education level: High school diploma, often supplemented with post-secondary courses
  • Work environment: Office-based with elements of warehouse work
  • Work form: Full-time, sometimes shift work at larger warehouses
  • Demand: Approximately 550 available positions within the profession
  • Gender distribution: Women earn on average 101% of men's salary

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a department manager in wholesale, opportunities open to advance to higher managerial roles, such as area manager, regional manager, or operational manager within larger wholesale companies. Many also choose to specialize further in logistics, purchasing, or business development. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service’s forecasts, demand for experienced department managers remains stable, especially in the wholesale and logistics sectors where digitalization and automation drive the need for competent leaders. The number of available positions in the profession is high, with 550 advertised roles, indicating good opportunities for both recent graduates and experienced candidates.

Frequently asked questions about department managers in wholesale

  • What does a department manager in wholesale earn?
    - The average salary is 37 800 SEK per month.
  • What education is required to become a department manager in wholesale?
    - High school diploma with a focus on trade/logistics and preferably post-secondary studies.
  • Are there gender differences in salaries?
    - Yes, women earn on average 101% of what men do within the profession.
  • What are the future prospects like?
    - Demand is stable; there are approximately 550 available positions within the profession.
  • What tasks are included?
    - Management of the department, personnel responsibility, budgeting, purchasing, and logistics.
  • What is the salary range?
    - The lowest salary is 34,600 SEK, and the highest is 41,000 SEK per month.
  • What benefits are common?
    - Occupational pension, wellness allowance, bonuses, and opportunities for professional development.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-09 12:11:37

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Head of department, wholesale is 41000 kr. This salary belongs to a woman working in the Privately employed officials with a upper secondary education, maximum 2 years. The highest salary for a man in this profession is 37500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Head of department, wholesale is 34600 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 37500 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 32000 kr 32700 kr
25-34 91% 38100 kr 39300 kr
35-44 93% 35800 kr 36100 kr
45-54 89% 36400 kr 36800 kr
55-64 37600 kr 0 kr
Snitt 101% 37000 kr 37800 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Head of department, wholesale has the SSYK code 5221, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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