Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Working Life

Export sales managers are responsible for managing the sale of products or services to overseas customers. They combine the results of market research with their knowledge of consumer tastes and the cultural and political background of the countries they are responsible for, in order to decide what to sell and how to sell it. The Export Sales Manager plans sales campaigns suitable for the country they are wishing to sell in.  
 
Export sales managers negotiate with customers (often in a foreign language) to try to make a sale. They may have to decide whether the product can be altered to meet the client's requirements or whether special discounts can be offered. This is usually done after consultation with product managers, factories and suppliers. Legal and ethical constraints on international trading also have to be considered. They may travel overseas to meet potential customers or they may bring them over their base in Ireland.  
 
Export sales managers provide quotations and may also be responsible for drawing up tender documents and agreeing the final contract. They process orders and check that the distribution is running smoothly and that everything is on schedule. When the product has finally been delivered, they may have to deal with any complaints or queries that occur.  
 
Other duties involve producing marketing plans, budgets and sales reports for discussion by company management. They may also organise sales briefings and conferences and visit international trade fairs.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale.
• Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
• Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
• Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
• Determine price schedules and discount rates.
• Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures.
• Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
• Plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and service programmes.
• Direct, coordinate, and review activities in sales and service accounting and record-keeping, and in receiving and shipping operations.
• Direct clerical staff to keep records of export correspondence, bid requests, and credit collections, and to maintain current information on tariffs, licenses, and restrictions.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

This is a senior role which requires significant knowledge and experience. Export Sales Managers sometimes start their careers in a sales role and then progress to supervisors and eventually a management role. Many employers may also look for additional language skills. Although a third level degree can sometimes be required, experience and a proven track record are often more important to the employer.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business, commerce, e-business, management, sales, marketing, language studies.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business, commerce, e-business, management, sales, marketing, language studies.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Sales, Supply chain, Logistics.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, commerce, e-business, management, marketing, language studies.

Search for CAO Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Membership in professional bodies will also help you keep up-to-date with developments and training opportunities in the industry:

Irish Exports association 

Irish Management Institute Marketing Institute of Ireland

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €85k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Neuvoo/ Payscale/ Indeed/ Morgan Mckinley/ CPL / Abrivia

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Transport managers; fleet managers; logistics managers; storage managers; warehouse managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The overall five-year average employment growth for this occupation was above average, although employment levels declined marginally between 2021 and 2022. A small number of new employment permits were issued in 2022 for various managerial roles.

Vacancies which were identified as difficult-to-fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey mainly related to warehouse and logistics managers. Training for those already employed in this occupation in areas including technological and regulatory changes associated with the transport/logistics sector will assist in preventing future recruitment difficulties.

• Enterprise Ireland

  • The Plaza, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3
  • (01) 727 2000
  • Click Here

• Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII)

  • Marketing House, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18
  • (01) 295 2355
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Executive Institute

  • 30 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2,
  • (01) 662 6904
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here