What Does a Sales Administrator Do?

Sales representatives are the face of many companies. They’re the individuals who interact with customers and potential clients, presenting their company’s products or services and explaining why they’re worth buying.

Sales representatives may work on a team with other salespeople or be responsible for specific accounts or territories. Regardless of their exact role, they all have one thing in common: they need to be able to effectively communicate the value of what they’re selling.

Sales Administrator Job Duties

A sales administrator typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Preparing reports on sales activities such as tracking incoming leads and follow up with potential clients
• Coordinating with other departments such as marketing to ensure that sales campaigns are supported by other departments
• Providing customer service by answering questions about products or services, making recommendations based on customer needs, and resolving problems
• Coordinating new employee orientation and training, providing ongoing support for all aspects of their job function
• Tracking sales lead information such as names, contact information, and follow up activities
• Conducting research on new product lines or competitors’ products to identify potential sales opportunities
• Establishing and maintaining good relationships with customers and potential customers
• Understanding company policies and procedures for complying with regulatory requirements such as HIPAA in the health care industry
• Coordinating events such as trade shows, conferences, and seminars to promote products and services

Sales Administrator Salary & Outlook

Sales administrators’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of commissions and bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $52,500 ($25.24/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $76,500 ($36.78/hour)

The employment of sales administrators is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Demand for sales administrators will stem from the need to increase productivity and efficiency in sales operations. Organizations will continue to seek ways to streamline their sales processes, which will require more sales administrators.

Related: Sales Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

Sales Administrator Job Requirements

A number of qualifications are necessary to become a sales administrator, which may include:

Education: Most employers require sales administrators to have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business or a related field. Some employers may hire candidates who have an associate’s degree or who have relevant work experience instead of a bachelor’s degree.

Training & Experience: Sales administrators typically receive on-the-job training. This training may include learning the company’s products and services, the company’s sales process and the computer programs and software the company uses. Sales administrators may also receive training in customer service and communication skills.

Certifications & Licenses: Certification is rarely a requirement for a sales administrator role. However, obtaining a sales certification can demonstrate your dedication to excellence and help you excel in your role.

Sales Administrator Skills

Sales administrators need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information to others. As an sales representative, you may need to communicate with customers, coworkers and managers. Strong communication skills can help you convey information clearly and answer questions. You can also use communication skills to build relationships with customers.

Organization: Organization is another skill that can help you be more successful in your sales role. You may need to keep track of multiple sales opportunities, customer information and other data. Having strong organizational skills can help you manage your time and responsibilities more efficiently.

Customer service: Customer service skills can help you develop effective sales strategies. Customer service involves understanding your company’s products, knowing your company’s policies and resolving customer concerns. You can use customer service skills to help you develop a rapport with customers, answer their questions and increase sales.

Problem-solving: Problem-solving skills allow you to identify and resolve issues. As an sales representative, you may encounter challenges that require you to think of solutions. For example, if a customer is unhappy with their purchase, you may need to find a way to make them happy again. This may involve offering a refund or a discount.

Computer skills: Computers are an essential tool for sales representatives. You may use computers to input data, send emails, create presentations and more. Having strong computer skills can help you be more efficient in your job and perform your duties more effectively.

Sales Administrator Work Environment

Sales administrators work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. They are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from customer service and order processing to product development and marketing. They must be able to multitask and handle multiple projects simultaneously. Sales administrators typically work regular business hours, but they may occasionally have to work overtime to meet deadlines. The job can be stressful, but it is also exciting and challenging. Sales administrators have the opportunity to work with a variety of people, including customers, sales representatives, and product managers. They also have the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country or even to different parts of the world.

Sales Administrator Trends

Here are three trends influencing how sales administrators work. Sales administrators will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of Digital Sales

The growth of digital sales is a trend that is quickly changing the way businesses sell their products and services. This is because customers are increasingly turning to the internet to find what they are looking for, which means that businesses need to be where they are in order to reach them.

Sales administrators can take advantage of this trend by developing skills in digital marketing and online sales. They can also work to build relationships with potential customers through social media channels and other digital platforms.

More Focus on Customer Experience

As customer experience becomes more important, sales administrators will need to focus on providing excellent service to their clients.

This means that sales administrators will need to be able to understand the needs of their customers and provide them with the products and services that they want. In addition, they will need to be able to track customer feedback and use it to improve their product offerings.

Greater Use of Technology

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in business operations across the globe. This is especially true for sales teams, who are using technology to connect with potential customers in new and innovative ways.

As sales administrators, you need to be familiar with the latest technologies and how to use them to your advantage. This includes understanding how to use social media, email marketing, and other tools to connect with customers.

How to Become a Sales Administrator

A career as an sales administrator can be a great way to get your foot in the door of the business world. As a sales administrator, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about different industries and companies, develop relationships with key decision makers, and hone your communication and customer service skills.

To succeed in this role, it’s important to be able to work independently and stay organized. You should also be comfortable using technology to find information and communicate with customers and colleagues.

Advancement Prospects

Sales administrators typically start out in entry-level positions and advance to higher-level jobs as they gain experience and knowledge. With experience, sales administrators may move into positions such as sales manager, sales director, or vice president of sales. Some sales administrators may eventually start their own sales companies.

Sales Administrator Job Description Example

The Sales Administrator will be responsible for providing administrative support to the sales team, processing customer orders, and maintaining customer records. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and customer service skills, be highly organized and detail-oriented, and have experience with sales administration or customer service. He or she will be responsible for handling customer inquiries, preparing sales reports, and maintaining customer databases. The Sales Administrator will be a key member of the sales team and will play a vital role in ensuring customer satisfaction.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Answer customer inquiries and process orders in an accurate and timely manner
• Respond to customer requests for information about products and services
• Update customers on the status of their orders
• Process customer returns and exchanges
• Generate reports detailing customer purchase history and order patterns
• Monitor inventory levels and place orders with suppliers as needed
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of all products and services offered by the company
• Assist in the development and implementation of marketing campaigns
• Provide administrative support to the sales team, including generating leads, preparing presentations, and scheduling appointments
• Attend trade shows and other events on behalf of the company
• Update the CRM system with customer data and sales activity
• Prepare proposals and quotations for potential customers

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, sales, or related field
• 3-5 years proven experience in a sales administrator role
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills
• Highly organized with superb attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with aptitude to learn new software and systems
• Strong time management skills and multitasking ability

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Working knowledge of CRM software programs, such as Salesforce
• Experience developing and implementing sales strategies
• Ability to negotiate and close deals
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets
• Creative problem-solving skills