what is a sales administrator?
A sales administrator offers after-sales support, arranges for deliveries and processes payments and sales orders. They are employed in just about any industry. For instance, you can improve efficiency in order processing in retail stores. Some manufacturing companies and production facilities also need sales administrators to handle order processing and invoices.
As a sales administrator, you work under the business owner if you work in a small sales office. In a large organisation, you may work within a team. However, most employers prefer to hire someone who works under minimum supervision, so the job could be yours if you are hardworking, well organised and have exceptional telephone manners.
what does a sales administrator do?
The job description of a sales administrator is largely the same across all industries, but your tasks vary depending on the organisation you are working for. Sometimes, you compile monthly reports, maintain sales records and issue invoices after confirming order details. Some big organisations have multiple administrators.
Would working in sales as a sales administrator suit your customer service skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a sales administrator role.
average salary of a sales administrator
According to National Careers, the median salary for sales administrators is £17,000 per year at entry-level positions. When you have gained experience and additional skills, your earnings rise to £28,000 annually. Sales administrators usually receive allowances and extra benefits with their compensation packages. For instance, you can enjoy paid leave days, medical and transport allowances and contributions to your pension scheme.
As a sales administrator, you also receive commissions for closing sales and processing orders. Some companies have a percentage for calculating the commissions, while others pay commissions in annual bonuses to all employers. Working overtime also attracts a higher rate.
what factors affect the salary of a sales administrator?
The compensation package of a sales administrator depends on their skills, experience and educational level. Higher educational qualifications improve your salary prospects by increasing your chances of a promotion. Your employer also impacts your earnings potential. When you work for a small retail store, your earnings will be less due to the low to medium-range revenue of the company. In larger organisations, sales administrators earn more and enjoy numerous benefits due to the unlimited resources and high revenue range that the company earns. However, work in large companies is complex and highly competitive due to commission payouts.
types of sales administrators
There are different types of sales administrators, depending on the industry sector. Some of the common sales administrators include:
- information technology sales administrators: your job is to promote the sale of information technology products, from computer hardware parts to software. You explain the purchase process to potential customers and help them process their orders.
- financial sales administrators: your job is to assist sales representatives with marketing financial products and services. You can look for potential buyers online and answer inquiries from the company website.
- industrial products sales administrators: as a sales administrator, you boost the sales of industrial products by sourcing clients who can buy large quantities. You also help with order processing and confirming payments before products are released from the warehouse.
- retail sales administrators: as a sales administrator, you work in business-to-business or business-to-customer sales. It's the most common sales administrator position in a wide range of industries with internal sales departments.
working as a sales administrator
Working as a sales administrator involves assisting the sales team with order processing and keeping customer records. You confirm that the customer provided the correct details before transferring the order to the production or delivery team. Let's explore some of the responsibilities of a sales administrator.
-
sales administrator job description
Some of the typical roles of a sales administrator include:
- processing orders: as a sales administrator, you process sales orders that reach the company through email, website or telephone. You also process sales orders from field representatives and telesales teams. You need to check if the customer has the correct details for prices, discounts and product numbers. If some information is missing in the order request, you contact the customer to specify the items' sizes, quantities or colours.
- recording orders: as a sales administrator, you record all sales and orders from various channels. You enter order details into the sales software and forward the details to dispatch teams or the production department. If a customer's records change, you must correct the details before releasing the order to the delivery team.
- maintaining customer records: as a sales administrator, you manage the account of various customers. When a new client makes an order, you register them into the customer management software for easy management. You regularly update the records with details of the orders and invoices issued. These are useful sales reports that help in planning future marketing strategies.
- offering sales support: as a sales administrator, you support sales representatives and field agents. You pick up calls, answer emails and update them on urgent issues. You also pass on technical queries from field representatives to the relevant departments and ensure sales reps have updated information on the delivery status of various orders.
-
work environment
As a sales administrator, you work in various industries with sales departments, from retail to IT and manufacturing companies. Your typical work environment is an office setting, and you work alongside other sales administrators. You spend most of the day on the phone and computer liaising with field agents and providing support in handling client orders.
Sales administrator roles involve minimal travelling since you can complete most of the tasks from your office desk. Work from home and remote work opportunities are available since you don't need to meet with clients face-to-face.
-
who are your colleagues?
Depending on the industry, your colleagues may include sales executives, field sales agents and telesales agents. You also work alongside sales associate role, customer service representatives, shift manager positions, accounts assistant post, account sales manager and account managers, as well as other specialists like marketing executives, accountants and sales managers.
-
work schedule
The work schedule of a sales administrator ranges from 38 to 40 hours a week. You have to work from Monday to Friday and sometimes Saturday in a full-time position. You don't have to work overtime during off-peak seasons since you can complete your tasks within the stipulated time frame. However, during shopping seasons like public holidays and Christmas, you have to work additional hours to keep up with the orders. Part-time positions are also available in the role.
-
job outlook
From a sales administrator role, you can move to managerial positions or specialise in specific aspects of business development. A sales administrator usually becomes a sales manager, accounts manager or assistant marketing manager. When you earn additional qualifications and skills, you can move to higher managerial roles like business development manager and head of sales position. Some sales managers specialise in customer account management and focus on becoming the head of accounts management. You can also become a consultant.
-
advantages of finding a sales administrator job through randstad
Finding your sales administrator 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 sales administrator 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
Some of the qualifications of a sales administrator include:
- college course: while sales administrator roles don't require post-secondary education, completing a college course helps you learn about the role. For instance, you can complete a Level 2 or 3 diploma in business administration. Alternatively, pursue a Level 3 course in sales and account management or the T Level diploma in management and administration. The requirements for the Level 2 course are two or more GCSEs, while the Level 3 and T-Level courses require 4 or 5 GCSEs from grades 9 to 4.
- apprenticeship: you can join an advanced apprenticeship in business administration and learn on the job as you complete the coursework. You need at least 5 GCSEs for the advanced apprenticeship programme.
skills and competencies of a sales administrator
Some of the skills that a sales administrator needs include:
- customer service skills: as a sales administrator, you communicate with customers and help them through the purchase process. You need to be persuasive to encourage clients to place an order.
- negotiation skills: when processing orders placed through online channels, you need to negotiate the discounts and prices for the products. Negotiation skills help you convenience the client to place an order and agree to the terms of service.
- communication skills: as a sales administrator, you spend most of the day on the phone liaising with sales reps and talking to clients. Good communication skills and phone etiquette will help you excel.
- organisational skills: since you handle multiple orders from different clients, it is important to be organised to avoid mixing up the orders. Organisation skills also help you meet order deadlines.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a sales administrator
-
what is a sales administrator's salary?
The average salary of a sales administrator ranges from £17,000 to £28,000 per year. In addition to salaried pay, some sales administrator jobs offer additional bonuses, benefits or perks that serve as compensation.
-
what makes a good sales administrator?
You need excellent interpersonal skills when handling customers. Remarkable communication skills and being a team player also makes you an exceptional sales administrator.
-
what does a sales administrative assistant do?
The typical tasks of a sales administrator include processing orders and following up with clients on order details. You also ensure the orders are accurate and send the correct invoices to clients.
-
what skills do administrators need?
All administrators must have superb customer service skills, including patience, friendliness and empathy. Organisational skills and time management ability make you the perfect fit for an administrator role.
-
what are the top 3 skills of an administrative assistant?
You constantly communicate with customers and sales representatives, so your communication skills need to be excellent. You will require specific technical skill sets if you want to succeed in your career as an administrative assistant. You also need problem-solving skills since you have a team you are in charge of and need to make decisions and develop solutions.
-
how do I apply for a sales administrator vacancy?
Applying for a sales administrator job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our 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!
