A sales representative is an employee of a manufacturing or trading company who acts as its intermediary in transactions with the owners of a retail outlet. It is a key link and a locomotive in the movement of products from the supplier (or distributor) to the final consumer in the territory where his company is located. Outside this territory, his position is referred to as “regional sales representative”.
A sales representative is engaged in sales but does not sell, unlike a regular salesperson in a salon or store. Sales in this case mean a whole range of works in sales consulting services: from the placement of goods in the established sales territory to the control of receivables. This is not an easy job, even for communicative people. Sales are one of the highest-paid jobs among the hard ones, and the easiest among the low-paid ones.
Distributors and suppliers highly appreciate the sales representative in the work team: his duties intersect with those of an accountant, lawyer, psychologist, economist, marketer and driver. Without such specialists “in the fields”, the sales department simply cannot imagine the continued existence of its company in the market.
A sales representative is a company employee who represents, promotes, and sells a specific product line.
What does a sales representative do? He visits retail locations, offers items, negotiates, and closes sales deals, as well as visits stores where his company’s products are already on the shelves to see how well they are selling. Sometimes performs some functions of a merchandiser.
After several years of successful work as a sales representative or sales manager, you can move up the career ladder and become a business development manager or commercial director.
Places of work.
A sales representative’s employment is in high demand in practically every company that sells products or services. These may be organizations that sell:
- food products (dairy, meat products, snacks, alcohol, tobacco);
- medicines;
- electronics and household appliances;
- package;
- printing products;
- accessories and consumables for cars;
- construction goods;
- some types of services;
- and many many others.
Responsibilities of a Sales Representative.
The duties of a sales representative include:
- advising clients on products or services;
- work with the existing client base;
- A sales representative’s employment is in high demand in practically every company that sells products or services.
- keeping records of work performed.
A sales representative’s responsibilities may include:
- work with receivables;
- participation in the work of the sales department;
- customer-seller training on the subtleties of the sale of goods;
- market analysis, competitor price monitoring.
Sales Representative Requirements.
The following is a list of the most important criteria for applicants:
- higher education;
- sociability;
- PC knowledge;
Sometimes the requirements for a sales representative include:
- the presence of a personal car;
- 1-year experience in sales.
How to become a sales representative.
Because you may work as a sales representative without a college diploma. Secondary education is sufficient for this career. You can learn the necessary abilities of a sales representative while working – organizations frequently hire people with no prior job experience and train them in everything.
