Sales Executive Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a sales executive. Feel free to use our sales executive job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a sales executive.
Who is a Sales Executive?
Sales executives, often known as sales managers, are in charge of offices of salespeople that sell goods and services to clients. Their principal responsibility is to lead and manage this team to maximize earnings for their organization. Sales executives are responsible for identifying prospects, maintaining customer relationships, and identifying strategies to increase sales. To help sell enough products and services to generate a profit, a company’s sales department has both team and individual goals. The sales executive is in charge of this department, ensuring that the workforce is well-informed and motivated to achieve their objectives. A Sales Executive is a professional who sets the company’s annual sales goals and works to meet them with the help of the Sales Manager and Sales Associates. The role entails developing a plan for identifying and converting new prospects and sales leads into paid users or customers. Sales management is a talent that a sales executive possesses. Sales management is a business discipline concerned with the actual application of sales methods as well as the oversight of a company’s sales operations. It is a critical business function since net sales from the sale of items and services, as well as the profit generated, are the lifeblood of most commercial enterprises. These are also common sales management goals and performance measures.
Sales Executives are in charge of reaching sales targets set by the Sales Manager or Sales Director, as well as the sales strategy of the company. They are an organization’s primary point of contact with its customers. Their key responsibilities include offering new products and services to customers, providing feedback and advice on products and services, and sustaining and growing new businesses to meet predetermined budgets. Setting sales goals and determining the best means to attain them are the key responsibilities of sales executives. Those tasks can apply to a single department or an entire firm, depending on their level within an organization. They examine sales information and consumer surveys, establish budgets and sales projections, and determine sales prices and contract terms to meet their goals. They can also give sales territory to salespeople, highlight products and services for special attention, and meet with other department heads, dealers, and distributors to figure out how to boost revenues and cut costs.
Although sales executives do not typically offer goods or services, they can fill in for special customers or if junior salespeople are unable to complete the assignment. Before being promoted to management, they normally work as sales representatives for several years. Executives who work in sales meet with consumers to assess their needs for goods and services, provide product recommendations, and complete transactions. Customers may receive discounts during sales promotions or for purchases over a specific amount, and they may receive customer care for any issues. A big part of the job of a sales executive is to supervise and manage subordinate salespeople. When positions become available, she advertises for them, interviews them, and eventually hires them. She ensures that they are properly trained, establishes performance expectations for them, and encourages them to reach monthly and annual objectives. She analyzes employees regularly, rewards high performance with bonuses and promotions, and has the authority to remove poor performers. Organization, leadership, and effective verbal and written communication skills are required for management success.
Sales Executive Job Description
Below are the sales executive job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a sales executive job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Pay attention to the needs of the consumer to close transactions and convey them effectively.
- Maintain and build existing customer connections in person, over the phone, and via email.
- Make cold calls to potential customers to set up meetings to prospect for new business.
- Respond to incoming email and phone inquiries promptly.
- Operate as a point of contact for a company’s existing and future markets
- Close sales by negotiating the conditions of a contract.
- Collect data on the market and customers
- Challenge any objection to persuade the buyer to buy.
- Discuss upcoming product innovations and special promotions with us.
- Develop extensive proposal documents, which are often part of a formal bidding process that is heavily influenced by the prospective customer
- Examine the amount of merchandise on display and in stock.
- Negotiate on price, costs, delivery, and specs with buyers and managers.
- Contact suppliers to inquire about the status of current orders.
- Keeping track of sales and orders, sending copies to the sales office, or entering data into a computer system are all options.
- Attend trade shows, events, and demonstrations on behalf of the company.
- Inform employers about future purchasing trends.
- Examine your own sales performance with the goal of meeting or exceeding expectations.
- Attend team meetings and share what you’ve learned with your coworkers.
- Establish positive working relationships
- Recognize the needs of your company clients.
- Investigate the market and similar products.
- Present the product or service to clients in a favourable and structured professional manner.
Qualifications
- GED/high school diploma
- A minimum of one year of sales experience is required.
- Excellent sales and customer service abilities.
- Strong communication skills; both verbal and written communication.
- Excellent presenting abilities.
- Mastery of Microsoft Office, CRM, and sales software tools are all required.
- Good problem-solving and negotiation abilities.
Essential Skills
- Communication skills: The ability to deliver and receive information is referred to as communication skills. Active listening, communicating clearly and concisely, and observing body language and other nonverbal signs are all examples of communication skills. Sales managers communicate with the right people at the right time, using whatever media they choose to efficiently and accurately provide information. To enhance the efficacy of your employees and, hopefully, minimize your turnover rate, you must learn to successfully interact with not only consumers and clients, but also other staff, subordinates, and superiors. Learning to bargain with others, both on the sales floor and behind closed doors with your team is critical to your company’s long-term success and, as a result, your own sales advancement.
- Leadership skills: To organize, manage, and encourage a sales force, a sales manager must have strong leadership qualities. Mentoring, team-building, delegating, trustworthiness, and innovation are just a few of the characteristics required of a leader. Leadership abilities also include the ability to provide clear and constructive feedback to help salespeople develop their talents. Even if you’re just starting in sales, solid leadership abilities are vital for a long-term career. Your ability to lead people, make decisions, and motivate those working behind you will be closely scrutinized after you advance above sales floor workers, and will determine how rapidly you rise. Knowing how to tell others what to do is only a small part of becoming a leader. Interpersonal skills and knowing how to motivate others to do important tasks go hand in hand with leadership abilities. Learning to lead effectively will motivate your employees to perform harder if you demonstrate that you care about them and their issues while maintaining a clear understanding of your expectations. Developing leadership abilities will help you advance in your career, whether you are a new shift leader or a seasoned store manager.
- Persuasion Skills:: In sales, persuasion is critical because the primary goal is to sell enough products and services to make a profit. In competitive markets, sales executives persuade customers why their products are superior to theirs, and they train salespeople on how to persuade customers.
- Interpersonal skills: The soft skills that people use to engage with others are known as interpersonal skills. From communication and listening to attitude and teamwork, they include a wide spectrum of behaviours and methods. These abilities are necessary for working as part of a sales team, keeping salespeople on track and motivated, and demonstrating real enthusiasm for the company’s objectives. Sales managers must be able to collaborate effectively with their peers, management, and direct subordinates. The interpersonal skills needed for a sales career go far beyond the ability to just strike up a conversation with someone who walks into your store or office. Interpersonal skills also include active listening, which is critical for sales success since you must truly listen to what the consumer or client needs or desires and match your product or service to their requirements. To enhance the efficacy of your employees and, hopefully, minimize your turnover rate, you must learn to successfully interact with not only consumers and clients, but also other staff, subordinates, and superiors. Learning to bargain with others, both on the sales floor and behind closed doors with your team is critical to your company’s long-term success and, as a result, your own sales advancement.
- Analytical skills: Analytical skills are those that are required to gather and analyze data as well as problem-solve to make decisions. Analytical abilities are used by sales managers to examine data, select the most important bits of information, draw meaningful conclusions, and create actionable takeaways. If a sales executive detects fewer transactions from new clients in December, for example, they may increase their up-selling goals to make up for any missed revenue.
- Strategic Planning Skills: The process of formulating goals and determining steps that a corporation can take to accomplish those goals is known as strategic planning. Sales managers must be able to gather evidence relating to products and past sales, decide the targets required to accomplish company-wide goals, and identify the procedures required to achieve those goals.
How to Become a Sales Executive
Step 1. Earn an Undergraduate Degree
Bachelor’s degrees in business or sales and marketing are widespread among aspiring sales leaders. A variety of majors, on the other hand, may provide useful abilities for the sales sector. An undergraduate program in English, for example, could offer improved communication skills, whereas a psychology program could provide insight into personal relationships, which would help with customer service. There are also similar sales programs available, such as the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Professional Sales or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sales and Marketing. Most companies looking to hire sales leaders prefer someone with a four-year degree. Business, marketing, advertising, or a similar field can be the focus of the degree. Sales executives, on the other hand, might have a four-year degree in the field they want to work in. As a result, a degree in science or healthcare may be required for someone who wishes to work as a sales executive for a pharmaceutical firm or in the healthcare industry.
Step 2. Acquire Experience
Experience in salesmanship is required of all sales executives. A client service representative’s role is to assist customers in locating the products or services they require, alerting them of other options, and closing the sale. In addition to educational qualifications that show potential employers that a person has the abilities needed to achieve these objectives, proof of experience in sales, negotiation, contracts, and business, whether paid or unpaid, is almost as important as an educational certificate. To get a job as a sales executive, you need to have a good and consistent track record in sales. Because most employers expect sales executives to have at least two years of prior sales experience, earning this expertise is a crucial step toward success. The customer service representative, for example, is one of many entry-level sales professions available. Future executives may also seek a position in the field of sales in which they intend to work, as this will provide them with specific knowledge and training. Most firms seek sales executives with at least five years of experience in addition to an undergraduate degree. While many employers favour personnel who have sold products in their fields, such as computers or software, others do not. To begin, look for a company that is trying to hire a salesperson in the desired field. Any sales employment on the side could be advantageous.
Step 3. Complete Executive Training
Executive sales training is available from a variety of sources. As a result, companies can be assured that their personnel has been properly trained to adhere to their policies. Completing an executive training program on your own, such as an Executive MBA, exhibits initiative and goal-setting, which employers value in executives. A sales executive certificate, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), signifies competence and accomplishment in a competitive work market.
Step 4. Go for a professional credential.
Certification from organizations such as the SMEI demonstrates to companies that an applicant is qualified and committed to their sales career. The SMEI offers certifications such as the Certified Professional Salesperson (SCPS) and the Certified Sales Executive (CSE) (CSE). The SCPS certification may be beneficial to aspiring sales executives, whilst the CSE certification may be more appropriate for sales executives who are currently employed. Both certifications require the completion of course programs that culminate in a test and, if necessary, recertification.
Step 5: Find a Sales Executive Position
Because the sales business is so broad, there is a lot of room for growth. It’s critical to consider prospective promotion chances when looking for a sales executive job. To prepare for client inquiries, a sales executive should learn everything he or she can about the products being offered once employed. In addition, most firms provide on-the-job training to ensure that new employees adhere to corporate policies.
Step 6: Continue Learning About the Field
Actively seeking continuous education is a terrific approach to demonstrate commitment to the sales business and be considered for advancement. Some colleges and universities offer online business and management courses that lead to credentials in areas such as sales and customer service. These sorts of continuing education demonstrate initiative and may help a sales leader surpass his or her peers.
Where to Work as a Sales Executive
A sales executive is required in every establishment that deals with the sale of anything. Manufacturers, service industries, retailers, industrial organizations, and charities are common employers of sales executives. Pharmaceutical, healthcare, and publishing businesses all employ people with specialized skills. If you’re an ‘inside sales executive,’ you’ll be working from the office or, if the role is remote, from your home. Clients may be contacted via email, phone, or video calls. Other salespeople may frequently mix this type of work with client visits – though, as more people become accustomed to working digitally, video chats may eventually replace sales visits for some salespeople.
Sales Executive Salary Scale
In the United States, the average sales executive income is $77,968 per year or $39.98 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions begin at $50,000 per year, with most experienced workers earning up to $150,000 per year. A Sales Executive in Nigeria earns roughly 413,000 NGN per month on average. Salaries vary between 215,000 and 632,000 NGN. This is the monthly average pay, which includes housing, transportation, and other amenities. Salary for sales executives varies greatly depending on experience, talents, gender, and region.
