• Sales Manager Job Description

    A sales manager is a person who is employed by an organization to manage their sales operations. Their job involves conceiving and developing sales strategies, organizing, tutoring, guiding and overseeing a team of sales representatives, setting sales targets and compiling and analyzing sales figures.

    A sales manager should be well organized, enthusiastic, resourceful, and good at motivating, mentoring, planning and selling. They should be able to oversee the activities of their sales team and evaluate their performance to help them improve their working effectiveness and meet desired sales targets.

  • What does a Sales Manager do?

    Sales managers may do some or all of the following:

    • prepare and manage sales activities and budgets
    • develop, implement and review sales strategies
    • hire, train and oversee sales representatives
    • assign sales territories and set sales targets
    • ensure sales representatives have the necessary resources to perform efficiently
    • counsel and motivate sales representatives to reach sales targets
    • deal with customer complaints regarding sales and service
    • compile, analyze and interpret sales figures
    • analyze market research data to identify new customers
    • maintain inventory control
    • maintain up-to-date knowledge of their products and competitors
    • write sales reports and report to senior management
  • Where does a Sales Manager work?
  • Working Conditions

    Sales managers usually work normal office hours, but may sometimes work evenings and weekends. Their work is usually office based, but they may travel to visit customers or their sales team, or to attend trade fairs, seminars or conferences.

  • What is Required to Become a Sales Manager ?

    To become a sales manager, you will need to have sales and management experience. Employers will prefer candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration with a focus in marketing.

  • Modules
  • Specializations
  • Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

    Sales managers need to have:

    • patience
    • adaptability
    • persistence
    • resilience
    • tactfulness
    • courteousness
    • confidence and assertiveness
    • honesty and integrity
    • creativity and innovation
    • social perceptiveness
    • good attention to detail
    • good interpersonal skills
    • good listening and communication skills
    • good judgment and decision making skills
    • persuasion and negotiation skills
    • time management and organizational skills
    • problem solving skills
    • math and computer skills
    • interviewing and presentation skills
    • report writing skills
    • technical sales skills
    • leadership and networking skills
    • effective budgeting skills
    • the ability to work calmly under pressure
    • the ability to analyze information and explain processes
    • the ability to coordinate multiple tasks at one time
    • the ability to relate to people from a range of cultures and background
    • knowledge of market research
    • knowledge of the products and services offered by their organization
    • knowledge of their industry and products of their competitors
    • knowledge of customer service principles and practice
    • knowledge of relevant laws and regulations

References

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Alternative Careers
  • Marketing Manager
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