Sales manager
Also known as
Work environment
- Usually work regular business hours but may work weekends and evenings
- Usually work in offices but may travel locally to visit clients
- Need to be organised, work well under pressure and communicate well
Salary information
Typical tasks
- Plan sales and marketing activities
- Report on sales and meet targets
- Manage and train sales staff
- Help develop new products
- Identify new target markets
- Analyse and report on campaigns
- Direct customer service inquiries
- Resolve customer complaints
- Advise customers on technical issues
- Analyse financial records
Outlook
Sales management is increasingly data-driven as businesses use customer relationship systems, online channels and digital marketing to understand buyers. In New Zealand, sales results can be affected by changing consumer and business confidence, competition and export conditions. Artificial intelligence can support forecasting and customer insights, but relationships, trust and clear value remain important. Sustainable and responsible business practices are also influencing purchasing decisions.
What employers and industry want in graduates
- Ability to lead, coach and motivate sales teams
- Strong communication, listening and relationship-building skills
- Confidence using sales data and customer relationship systems
- Ability to set goals, plan activity and track performance
- Commercial awareness and understanding of customer needs
- Ethical, customer-focused judgement in sales decisions
AUT programmes
The above is a suggestion only and a starting point. You may need to meet other criteria or take additional steps to work in this career.
Tips from AUT graduates
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This data is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahtu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Some of the information has been modified by AUT. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this data.