Job Responsibilities
Manage the sales team by assigning targets and doing reports on volumes and conversions.
Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service
Analyse and report on sales numbers and performance.
Prepare budgets and approve expenses for sale team and activities.
Plan and coordinate training sessions for sales staff
Planning sales discounts and promotional pricing.
What to Study
Sales Management: Comprehensive Course
Sales Management: Certificate Course
Sales Management: Short Course
What is a Sales Manager?
A sales manager is someone who is responsible for leading and guiding a team of sales professionals in an organisation or company. They direct the team’s focus, set goals, look at data and create training opportunities.
Duties
Sales managers typically do the following:
- Managers a sales team.
- Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service
- Analyse sales statistics
- Prepare budgets and approve expenses
- Plan and coordinate training sessions for sales staff
- Determine discount rates or special pricing plans
Benefits of Being a Sales Manager
Choosing this path can offer you many benefits that you won’t find in other fields. Some of them include the ones listed below.
Good Salary
With a job in sales, you can earn more than just your salary every month. You can get paid commissions, incentives and bonuses for your hard work and dedication. Need extra money? Make more sales.
Many Opportunities
There are limitless opportunities in sales. You can get a job in almost any industry because every business needs one to increase their profits.
Job Security
Sales managers are often viewed as one of the greatest assets of a company. Hard working and loyal sales people are always in demand and companies will do anything to keep them on board.
Achievements can be Measured
The results of your efforts can be measured and defined. You can literally count your accomplishments. This will leave you feeling fulfilled in your rewarding work.
You Pick Your Team
A sales manager is usually involved in recruiting and hiring other sales staff based on their skills and personality.
How can I Become a Sales Manager?
Interested in becoming a sales manager? Learn how you can do just that by using the options below as a guideline.
Educate Yourself
Most sales managers have a degree but it’s not always necessary. Short and Certificate courses are also helpful in gaining the necessary knowledge and skills. Skills Academy offers three Sales Management courses through distance learning:
- Short Course in Sales Management
- Proficiency Certificate in Sales Management
- Comprehensive Certificate in Sales Management
Gain Work Experience
Work experience is usually needed before you can become a sales manager. Like any other job, you need to start at the bottom and work yourself up.
You do this by applying for entry-level jobs such as a sales assistant. Once you have enough work experience, you can apply for a more senior role.
What Skills do Sales Managers Need?
In order to be a successful sales manager, you need to have the following skills:
Leadership: You need to motivate your team and work with them to set and meet sales goals. You also need to monitor their performance.
Customer Service: Sales managers need to listen to what customers need, and do their best to fulfil those demands. You also need to know how to deal with an unhappy client.
Communication: You must deliver information accurately and efficiently, to the right people in either written or verbal form.
Analytical: Sales managers need to review data, see what’s relevant, draw conclusions and take action.
Interpersonal Skills: You should be able to work well with different types of people. This includes your colleagues, bosses and clients.
Calm Under Pressure: The role can be challenging. You need to be able to cope with the daily stress that comes with the job.
Delegation: Rather than do everything yourself, know when to divide the work among your team so your goal can be achieved.
How Much can I Earn in South Africa?
The amount of money you can earn depends on the level of experience you have. The average salary for a sales manager is R 23 851 per month. Other average monthly salaries for this job include the ones listed below.
Assistant Sales Manager – R 16 917
Junior Sales Manager – R 16 984
Senior Sales Manager – R 39 687
Become the Best Sales Manager in the Country!
Start your studies with us by using one of the following options:
- Complete our online registration form
- Call us for free at 0800 39 0027
- Chat to us on Whatsapp at 082 318 8892
Author: Thiana Pretorius
Last Updated: May 7, 2020