Assistant Sales Manager

Position Overview

Assistant sales managers are in charge of helping the general sales manager with duties pertaining to customer service in order to generate profitability for the business. Individuals in this position should have exceptional people skills to ensure customers are satisfied and have received the support they need to make a buying decision. They should also know the products they sell. For example, if you work for an agriculture equipment manufacturer, you should understand the different machinery types, the specs and variations for each equipment piece. Assistant sales managers often have sales associates or reps on their team, which they are in charge of managing and training. They should encourage a safe and comfortable workplace for the sales team to promote optimum performance. Assistant sales managers may also track and report on sales information to understand trends and solve problems. They may need to achieve certain results in order to remain profitable and follow the organizations goals. Assistant sales managers should expect to create sales presentations to show the team the latest trends, and what goals they could work towards in the future.

Assistant Sales Manager Duties

Assistant sales manager duties will vary depending on the organisation and industry that they are employed by. Some general duties are as follows:

• Update sales manager daily
• Resolve customer complaints
• Investigate and solve inventory problems
• Handle promotional discrepancies
• Manage promotional materials for the store
• Developing sales reports to show actual vs. predicted
• Train sales team and provide sales goals
• Track expenses
• Follow company standards to maintain compliance in the store

Typical Employers

• Food and beverage manufacturers
• Agricultural equipment manufacturers
• Agricultural technology companies
• Advertising companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Financial providers
• Technological companies

Required Education and Training

Individuals looking to become an assistant sales manager should have a degree in a related field, such as sales, marketing, business, or management. If you have a degree related to the specific industry that the job is in, this is also beneficial. For example, if you are in the agriculture industry, you may want a degree in agricultural management or food manufacturing. While this is not always required, it does provide a competitive edge. Those in this position should have at least 2 years of experience in a retail environment, preferably in a management position. A working knowledge of human resource practices and basic retail operations is an added benefit.

Key Skills and Qualities

• Strong communication skills
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to handle customer complaints
• Data entry and reporting skills
• Strong customer focus
• Professional
• Ability to work well in a team environment

Average Salary

Assistant sales managers make an average salary of £22,573. The range for this position is £14,000 to £38,000. Individuals in this role can make bonuses, depending on the company, industry, and if the sales targets were met. If individuals are promoted to the sales manager position, the average salary is £41,493.