Sales Manager Job Description

This article was updated on April 2020

Sales Manager Job Description – Organisation is Key!

In this role you’ll be expected to organise, train and lead a group of sales representatives in order to help them achieve company sales targets. In order to be hired for this role you must have an extensive background in sales and clearly demonstrate your knowledge of the industry.

If you know how to sell snow to Inuit’s, would like the challenge of leading a team, and you are interested in Sales Manager job role? Read on to see if the sales manager job description is suitable for you.

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Typical Duties Of A Sales Manager

You could be working with a specific type of client in B2B sales or else you might be managing a team of sales reps that sell a certain product or service. Typical duties include:

• Recruitment and training of staff.
• Developing sales strategies and setting targets for your team to meet.
• Monitoring performance and motivating your team to ensure they meet the targets you’ve set.
• Performing detailed analysis of sales figures.
• Providing staff with coaching and constructive feedback.
• Collecting and analysing customer research data.
• Reporting to senior management.
• Ensuring you remain up to date with products/services sold by your company’s rivals.

Sales Manager Salary

For 2020, you can expect between these ranges according to your location

For other sales positions you can check 2020 salaries here.

What Is Life As A Sales Manager?

Typical 9-5 weekday hours often apply but as a manager you’ll sometimes be required to visit clients and this can extend your workday. There will also be occasions when you have to travel to attend exhibitions, conferences, trade fairs and other events which may require an overnight stay away from home.

There’s a possibility that you’ll have to travel overseas depending on your employer and you must have a full and valid driving license.

What Are The Benefits?

If you show your skills as a sales manager, there are likely to be plenty of promotion opportunities assuming you work for a big company. You could become an area, regional or even national sales manager. After a number of years of experience, you may even be in line for a role as sales director. As well as receiving a good salary, you may benefit from commissions, bonuses and other incentives and a company car is usually included.

What Are The Downsides?

It is certainly a high pressure role as you will be expected to motivate the team to reach sales targets. If you fail to meet this objective, you’re the one that’s likely to get the blame. From time to time you’ll have to discipline underperforming team members. In extreme cases you may even have to fire employees. There is a lot of travel involved so you’ll probably have to spend a few nights away from home.

Sales Manager Career Path

Successful candidates have a proven track record when it comes to regularly meeting and exceeding sales targets. Although you can make it to this level without formal qualifications, it will take years of experience and you’ll have to start from an entry level position.

The path is a little clearer if you have a degree in Sales or a field relevant to the sector you’re working in. For example, if you wish to work in technical sales, a degree in Engineering or IT would be ideal. You will need to chalk up a few years as a sales representative and display leadership skills before you’re considered for a management role.

You should become a member of the Sales Institute if you wish to further your career. Membership of the SII will give you access to details such as emerging global trends and you can network with highly qualified professionals such as sales directors.

Skills Needed To Succeed As A Sales Manager

If you want to become a successful sales manager, you need to display the following:

• High quality sales and negotiation skills.
• The ability to motivate a team.
• Genuine enthusiasm for the product/service you’re selling.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good budget, IT and report writing skills.
• Outstanding planning and time management skills.
• Knowledge of how your client’s industry works.

Find other similar Sales Manager Jobs:

• National Sales Manager Jobs
• Sales Account Manager Jobs
• Field Sales Manager Jobs
• Retail Sales Manager Jobs

IrishJobs Team

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