noun
manager promoted from in-house office worker
Refers to a company president or top manager who rose through the ranks from a regular salaried employee, often implying a non-founder, non-family successor.
彼はサラリーマン社長として、現場の苦労をよく理解している。
As a manager promoted from the ranks, he understands the hardships of the front line well.
その会社は創業者一族ではなく、サラリーマン社長が経営している。
That company is run by a manager who came up through the company, not by the founder's family.