The sales manager occupies a key position in company’s environment, being responsible for the proper co-ordination of the sales team and for setting and attaining sales targets for the company’s products and/or services. According to the general sales manager job description, the position requires multiple talents, from predicting customer behavior to training sales staff and supervising them for optimal results. A dynamic job, the sales manager is challenging and time consuming.
Short sales manager job description
Directly in charge with product/services sales, the sales manager develops the sales strategy and supervises its implementation in order to obtain maximum gross profit. They conduct the hiring process in their department, train the sales personnel and establish attainable targets for each one of the employees, offering help and guidance whenever necessary. The sales manager job description also specifies that the person occupying this position will also be responsible with client complaints regarding the sale process.
Sales manager tasks and responsibilities
As mentioned above the duties associated with the sales manager position are multi-lateral and involve a considerable amount of energy and enthusiasm. We have made a selection of the most frequent sales manager tasks and responsibilities listed in the sales manager job descriptions. The list is by no means exhaustive, since different fields of activity may have specific requirements, but they are of great use for an accurate understanding of the position.
• Creates and implements selling strategies based on market’s trend and customer behavior analysis,
• Issues annual forecasts for market evolution in accordance with economic and social factors and adjusts the selling strategy accordingly,
• Participates in the sales persons hiring process and establishes selling teams,
• Trains the sales individuals and teams, explains them the strategy and gives guidance along the way,
• Allocating areas sales managers and company representatives to different regions,
• Sets attainable targets for the teams and/or individuals and personalizes the targets in accordance with the different variables given,
• Supervises the areas sales managers and staff,
• Receives and solves customer complaints regarding the selling process; when necessary redirects the complaints to other departments or local units,
• Determines prices, discount schedules and special offers and works with the marketing department for best price schemes to increase selling and obtain profit,
• Organizes and supervise international sales,
• Meets with possible distributors and retails and seeks new marketplaces for the company’s products and services,
• Perform marketing research to collect customer opinion on products,
• Review individual selling performances and motivate them for increased performance,
• Participates in fairs and exhibitions to promote products and come in contact with clients,
• Holds meetings with the selling staff and reports to senior manager.
Schedule
The sales manager usually has a 40-hour schedule, yet extra hours are to be expected. The candidate must be available for travelling locally and nationally. A driver license is required for more effective movement between different locations/franchises.
Education and experience
Sales managers usually come from a variety of different backgrounds; however candidates with business, sales or management are favored for the position. Individuals educated in the company’s domain of activity are also favorites.
A business or administrative BA degree is required in order to be considered. Adjacent specialization courses, such as NVQ in Sales Management (level 4 and onwards), Sales & Account Management diploma (level 5) or advanced certificate in Sales Management, represent an advantage and will be taken into consideration.
Previous experience of at least 4 years in sales management and proven ability to co-ordinate a national team are top requirements featured in any sales manager job description.
Skills and personal features
The applicants must have strong leadership skills in order to successfully conduct the subordinate staff. Interpersonal skills are required for a proper management of professional relationships with both subordinates and people in higher positions.
Language skills, both oral and written, are essential for proper communication with all the people involved in the selling process and for successfully writing necessary reports.
Proper time management and the ability to meet deadlines are also important when applying for such a position. Last, but not least, a good understanding of the market dynamics and a flair for anticipating customer reactions are skills which every sales manager should possess. Although they may not be explicitly listed on the sales manager job description, these are the core competencies for a successful career in the sales department.