I am a
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Sales manager

Sales managers organise, coach and lead teams of sales representatives to work towards agreed targets.

Average annual salary

£22,000 to £70,000

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Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • training with a professional body

University

You could do a degree before joining a company as a graduate management trainee. Employers recruit graduates from a range of subjects. Particularly relevant subjects include:

  • sales and marketing management
  • business management
  • retail marketing

For some jobs, like selling hi-tech scientific or engineering equipment, employers may prefer you to have a qualification in that field.

Entry requirements:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could complete a sales executive higher apprenticeship before applying for a trainee manager job.

For sales manager roles selling to businesses, you could do a business to business sales professional degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You'll need experience in sales and a record of achieving targets. Most employers will consider your sales and management experience, market knowledge and track record to be more important than your academic qualifications.

You could also be considered for specialist sales management jobs if you have a background in designing or manufacturing the products your team are selling.

OtherRoutes

You could take a professional qualification like:

  • Level 4 Award in Managing a Sales Team
  • Level 4 Award in Finance for Sales Managers
  • Level 4 Award in Operational Sales Planning
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Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • business management skills
  • leadership skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • persistence and determination
  • knowledge of English language
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • persuading skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • the ability to read English
  • a good memory
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What you'll do:

Sales managers organise, coach and lead teams of sales representatives to work towards agreed targets.

In your day-to-day duties you might:

  • recruit and train sales staff
  • allocate areas to sales reps
  • identify new business opportunities
  • develop sales strategies and set sales targets
  • provide feedback and coaching to team members
  • monitor the team's performance and motivate them to reach targets
  • compile and analyse sales figures
  • report back to senior managers
  • keep up to date with products and competitors

Location : You could work at a store, in an office, at a client's business or in a contact centre.

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Salary:

Starter : £22,000
Experienced : £70,000

These figures are a guide

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Working hours:

38 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

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Career Path:

With experience and a good track record, you could take on larger sales areas or be promoted to regional, national or international sales manager.

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