Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Area Sales Manager- from: Youtube Search
- Area Manager- from: icould [UK] Video
- Area Manager- from: icould [UK] Video
- Area Manager- from: icould [UK] Video
- Sales & Marketing Manager- from: iCould [UK] Video
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
As an area sales manager, you typically manage sales team(s) within a specific area or region.
You are responsible for overseeing sales operations and for setting sales targets, as well as monitoring sales team performances.
Part of your duties also involve recruiting and training new sales team members, as well as motivating and supporting the existing sales teams.
You may report to a general manager and head office and the role often involves some travel between different offices within the area.
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.
Qualities - Area Sales Manager
You should have good leadership and communication skills and you should be able to motivate others.
Attention to detail is important as it is your responsibility to set ambitious but achievable targets and to ensure that they are met. As such, you need business acumen and a good understanding of the particular industry/product/service the company is selling.
You need excellent organisational skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
Interests - Area Sales Manager
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.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Entry / Progression - Area Sales Manager
Many Area Sales Managers start their careers as sales or customer service staff and then progress to supervisors, team managers and eventually Area Sales Manager. Any experience in the relevant industry will also be beneficial.
A degree in business, marketing, or a related field can sometimes be required, but to most employers, experience and track record are more important.
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 admin, customer service, sales associate, project, supervisory management.
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 management, sales, marketing, commerce, accounting.
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: Accounting, Finance, Sales.
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, marketing, sales, commerce, economics, maths, statistics, accounts, finance.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: sales, business, accounts, management, financial advice.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Pay & Salary - Area Sales Manager
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €100k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. Earnings [OTE on Target earnings] bonus may increase salary package depending on contract.
Data Source(s):
Azon/ Sigmar/ Abrivia/ Clark/ Morgan McKinley/ Collins McNicolas/ Excel Recruitment
Last Updated: June, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Area Sales Manager
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Sales accounts and business development managers.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment levels remained unchanged between 2021 and 2022 for this occupation. Employment was spread across many sectors with none large enough to report. Like business sales executives, the ICT sector appears to be the main beneficiary of employment permits issued in 2022 for this occupation. The difficult-to-fill mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey related to sales/marketing managers and lead category managers.
Employers (Skills for Growth and Spotlight on Skills) identified sales account managers, key account managers and business development managers as being difficult to fill; key skills in demand included project management, relationship management and presentation skills. Nonetheless, the number of job adverts has fallen. Although employment levels remained stable, digitalisation and new business processes are likely to impact on the skills mix required for these roles.
Useful Contacts - Area Sales Manager
-
Irish Management Institute
-
Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII)
- Marketing House, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18
- (01) 295 2355
- [email protected]
- Click Here
-
The Executive Institute
