what is a sales executive?
As a sales executive, you take on the role of liaison between customers and the company. From initial contact to facilitating continuing business, your ability to build and nurture a profitable relationship has a direct impact on your company's growth and performance. Successful sales executives are naturally good at creating a personal connection, utilising this skill to negotiate deals.
As a sales executive, you might also take on the role of client relationship manager once the initial sale has been made. As the main point of contact, you can provide helpful insights with regard to the expectations that individual clients may have in order to up-sell further opportunities.
what do sales executives do?
Sales executives can work in all industries, and any organisation that sells products or services requires someone in this role. As a sales executive, you can work in business-to-business (B2B) sales or in business-to-consumer (B2C) sales, acting as the primary point of contact between your employer and its target market.
In order to be effective, you should be very familiar with the products and services that you are selling. This might involve attending product training events and seminars but will inevitably require travel to meet with clients, which makes this job ideal for those who love visiting new places. A successful sales executive needs a wide-ranging skill set that includes good people skills, well-developed communication skills and the ability to anticipate customer needs.
Would work as a sales executive suit your natural skills in communication and relationship building? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a sales executive role.
sales executive jobsaverage salary of a sales executive
According to ONS, the average base salary for a sales executive is £32,940 per year. Entry-level positions can attract an annual salary of £20,400, while very experienced sales executives can earn well over £100,000. In addition to the base salary, employers motivate sales executives by paying bonuses when certain sales targets are met. In many cases, sales executives also enjoy various other benefits such as medical insurance, pension schemes and paid holidays.
what factors affect a sales executive's salary?
Sales executive salaries are largely dependent on the amount of experience that you have. For instance, senior sales executives earn a higher base salary than junior or entry-level sales executives. In addition, the industry in which you work and the products or services that you sell can influence your earning potential. For example, sales consultants that work in the IT industry might earn a higher salary than sales executives that work in the food industry.
Most sales executives earn performance bonuses in addition to their base salaries, and working in a big city can significantly affect the bonus that you can potentially earn. In general, bigger cities have a higher cost of living than smaller towns, which will be reflected in your overall remuneration. On top of that, a city location can make it easier for you to meet your targets as larger companies tend to base themselves in these environments. In some cases, sales executives work on a commission-only basis, which means that there is no guaranteed base salary, and earnings are totally dependent on the number of sales made.
types of sales executives
The types of sales executives include:
- business to business (B2B): as a B2B sales executive, you will mainly be selling services and products to other businesses. B2B sales executives use their skills to develop business relationships with procurement officers and usually focus on selling larger volumes of products to business customers. B2B sales executives generally require a deep understanding of the corporate procurement process to excel.
- business to consumer (B2C): as a B2C sales executive, you will be selling products and services directly to end-users or customers. B2C sales executives generally manage a larger volume of clients than B2B sales executives and focus on selling smaller quantities to individual customers.
working as a sales executive
Curious to find out what a sales executive does daily? Read on for insights on your career prospects and daily duties.
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sales executive job description
Although sales related duties can be job-specific and depend on the company that you work for, most sales executive roles involve the following:
- building relationships: one of the main tasks in any sales executive role is to establish and maintain a good working relationship with clients. As a sales executive, you will most likely be the primary point of contact between the business you work for and its customers. When building a relationship, your main aim is to understand the client's unique needs and suggest products and solutions that can meet these demands.
- introducing products and services to clients: when a company launches a new product or service, sales executives are responsible for presenting the product to customers. In fact, introducing customers to new products in order to up-sell your company's services is a vital part of the daily tasks of any sales executive.
- compiling information and creating reports: sales is a key part of every business, and sales executives are often called upon to gather data and compile reports on sales activity and customer purchasing trends. In general, sales executives should be comfortable working with numbers and productivity software.
- attending product training meetings and seminars: sales executives require a deep understanding of the products that they are selling. To this end, sales executives sometimes attend external product training events and seminars. These events are the perfect opportunity for you to become acquainted with the products themselves, as well as network with providers and acquire knowledge that can help you better navigate the sales pipeline.
- hitting sales targets: ultimately, your most important task is to hit your sales goals. A sales executive is directly responsible for the financial profitability of their employer, so achieving these numbers is the make or break of both company profitability and success in the role.
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work environment
While sales executives are usually based in office environments, the role also entails a significant amount of travel. Sales executives often need to meet customers on-site, so in some cases, this might include international destinations. If you prefer a fixed environment and set daily routines, the role of a sales executive may not be for you.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer, your colleagues might include marketing executives, media sales executives, sales promoters, the sales director, sales administrators, commercial agents and procurement officers. Marketing executives help create promotional material which can be used to promote products, while procurement officers ensure that stock levels are always in line with customer demands. As a sales executive, your skills are more broad-based, but you will always need to work with other departments to perform your duties. Depending on the field and size of your company, you might also be working in close proximity to accountants, customer service representatives or product designers, service representative as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, engineers, fulfilment managers and business development mangers and business development representatives.
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work schedule
The work schedule of a sales executive is nominally 9 to 5, but the broad nature of the role routinely requires long hours, so starting early or finishing late is often expected. Additionally, your clients may be in different time zones, which means they will expect to be able to contact you (and receive a response) outside of your normal schedule. In some cases, sales executives can work remotely. However, even then, you will still need to travel to clients and undertake other job-related, in-person obligations, which will extend your working hours. Although part-time work as a sales executive is not commonly available, it is possible to find roles that offer flexible working hours.
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job outlook
A career as a sales executive provides several options for building your career and eventually moving into a managerial position. Most sales executives start their careers as junior sales executives. After a few years of experience, you can then be promoted to senior sales executive. Senior sales executives tend to work with a company's largest clients, offering the perfect opportunity to hone your skills further. As an experienced senior sales executive, you can join the managerial track and become a sales director.
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advantages of finding a sales executive job through randstad
Finding your sales executive job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a consultant is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
At entry-level, many sales executive positions require no academic qualifications, but it can be beneficial to an application to have a qualification in a business-related field. In some cases, a specific degree qualification might be required for a company that specialises in medical or chemical products. In general, academic qualifications are less important than attitude and core competencies when it comes to a role as a sales executive.
skills and competencies
For success in the role of a sales executive, your required sales skills and competencies include:
- people skills: being able to properly connect with clients requires good interpersonal abilities and excellent written and verbal communication skills. Anticipating a client's needs is important, but the ability to effectively communicate your understanding of their requirements is vital.
- ability to work independently: sales executives often work towards specific targets with little or no supervision. In order to reach your goals, you must be able to manage your own workday and prioritise tasks in order of importance.
- organisational skills: tracking absolutely everything is how you will turn a natural affinity for relationship building into a successful career as a sales executive. From contracts to travel schedules, negotiation documents to sales reports, you must be able to keep up with your administrative responsibilities in order to advance your career.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a sales executive
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what are the qualifications for a sales executive?
Although sales executives do not always require academic qualifications, the job does require a significant amount of skills and competencies. Having a degree in a business-related field can be beneficial, particularly as you climb the career ladder.
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what are the duties of a sales executive?
Sales executives have varied duties, and the exact duties are dependent on the job. In general, sales executives manage the relationship between a business and its clients. Sales executives also drive sales and introduce clients to new products.
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do you have to travel a lot as a sales executive?
Sales executives frequently meet with clients, and this can entail significant travelling, both in a local area and wider afield, including internationally. Many companies provide sales executives with a company car or offer a travel subsidy as part of the remuneration package.
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how many types of sales executives are there?
Sales executives are generally divided into two categories. Business-to-business (B2B) sales executives sell products to other businesses, while business-to-consumer (B2C) sales executives sell products directly to end-users.
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is being a sales executive a good job?
Yes, working as a sales executive is a good job. Sales is an exciting work area that offers many opportunities for career development and advancement, as well as a healthy salary.
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how do I apply for a sales executive vacancy?
Applying for a sales executive job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our sales executive job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
