Every business person knows that there are many positions and titles within a team. While some job titles might seem like they are synonyms, others can have different responsibilities. This is the case for “sales representative” as well as “sales associate”. What are the main differences between these roles? Let’s take a closer glance.
A sales representative is a synonym for a sales associate who works in a shop and helps customers find the right product.
Sales representatives are the frontline salespeople in many companies. However, their responsibilities can vary from one employer to another.
You can also call them sales staff or sales clerks. These associates often have an additional title that describes the specific role they play within the company. For example, “key account manager” and “specialty sale specialist”.
Some Sales Associate Synonyms include
- Salesperson
- Salesman
- Seller
- Clerk
- Sales assistant
- Saleswoman
- Merchant
- Agent
- Shopkeeper
- Retailer
- Salesperson
- Trader
- Sellers
Sales representatives are responsible for selling products from start to finish.
They help customers find people who are interested in purchasing a product, and they also sell it to them.
Sales representatives must have a good knowledge of their company’s products or services and be able to explain why they are needed.
They also have to create sales proposals, handle customer objections, and close sales. Sales representatives might be required to achieve sales targets or quotas as set by their employer.
Sales associates or synonyms work in stores and help customers find the right product. Many times, they have an additional title that describes the specific role they play within the company. For example, “key account manager” and “specialty selling specialist”.
Sales associates are responsible for helping customers.
Customers are greeted upon their arrival, helped to find the right product, and answered any questions about it.
Associate sales reps may also be responsible to handle returns and closing sales.
The sales rep is generally responsible for all aspects of sales, while the sales associate focuses on customer service.
Sales associate synonyms can include sales clerk, sales representative, and sales staff.
Sales jobs can be found in many industries, with many different duties and many job titles.
Sales are any person who sells products or services. The job titles used to identify salespeople change constantly to help companies differentiate themselves from their competitors.
It can be challenging for people seeking work in this sector to navigate the various titles, especially when looking at job sites online.
It is important to understand the responsibilities associated with common sales job titles and the market for specific positions when conducting such a search.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that all occupations will see an average growth of 5% to 9% over the next decade, with sales jobs expected to grow at 3.0%.
This means that the field’s growth rate is expected to be lower than average.
Although a college degree is not necessary for most sales jobs, it will help you get started in the field.
This list highlights jobs that challenge that assumption.
Director of National Sales
The national sales director sets broad sales goals and targets that all sales offices in the country can follow. These plans should be flexible enough to allow regional and local offices to make adjustments as necessary to meet local needs.
But, it is important to establish the overall goals and objectives.
This person works closely alongside regional sales directors to ensure that the sales plans are correctly implemented and that goals are achieved.
They are expected to work with the marketing department when designing sales strategies and plans.
Payscale.com reports that the average income of a national sales manager in 2018 was more than $100,000. A bachelor’s degree in a related field and years of experience are necessary.
Manager for Regional Sales
Regional sales managers are usually responsible for managing multiple sales managers within the same area. This job title is available in both retail and nonretail settings. The size of a given region will vary depending on the organization.
The person should be prepared to travel regularly to the area to meet with sales managers.
They help in the development of corporate-wide sales plans and ensure they are implemented and followed at every site.
They might manage large accounts in the region, even if they are not retail.
payscale.com reported that the average annual salary for this job was just $80,000 per annum in 2018. Candidates with extensive sales experience can be considered without a bachelor’s.
Manager of Sales
A sales manager can be used to describe a wide range of businesses, both retail and non-retail. Non-retail contexts include media outlets such as television stations, radio stations, and newspapers that sell advertising.
Sales managers are responsible for supervising salespeople and implementing sales strategies. They also ensure that sales targets are met. For larger companies, the sales manager might work alongside a regional manager or with smaller companies that have multiple locations.
Sales managers often work with the most sensitive, important, or large accounts in a given location.
Payscale.com reports that sales managers made an average of $53,000 per year in 2018, and 2018.
Sales Representative at the Inside
These agents work with potential customers by answering phone calls or dealing with walk-ins.
This is true for many sectors. However, it does not matter what sector, great customer service skills are vital.
This role involves greeting potential customers and directing them to the correct product or service. Finally, closing the deal.
According to payscale.com in 2018, the average salary for inside sales professionals was $42,000
A representative for Outside Sales
Salespeople outside the office actively search for new clients through phone calls and personal visits. Their work can cover a broad range of industries.
Many outside salespeople have a list that they contact regularly and manage.
An outside sales representative does not spend the day in an office. Instead, he or she travels to meet clients.
The sales rep is restricted to the area around his or her office.
This role, such as an inside sales rep or a representative, requires a person to be able to communicate effectively with clients and potential clients.
Payscale.com reported that the 2018 average salary for outside sales reps was $48,000.
Assistant for Sales
Sales assistants assist sales managers and reps in their work by performing various tasks.
While many of the tasks are administrative, sales assistants assist in the identification and preparation of sales presentations and research.
The pay for sales assistants varies depending on the business and the responsibilities.
While some sales assistant positions are entry-level, others with more responsibilities can earn more. According to payscale.com in 2018, the average annual salary was $38,000
Engineer Sales
Products that are targeted at specific businesses or professions are sold by sales engineers. These products often have ties to science or industry or are otherwise complex, so sales engineers must understand how they work.
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is a prerequisite for any sales engineer position.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017, the median annual salary was just $100,000.
Wholesale and manufactured goods
Although this field has similar sales professionals to engineers, the products they sell require less technical knowledge and less experience.
The work involves marketing to corporations, government agencies, and other potential clients on behalf of wholesalers, or manufacturers.
This field will see a 5% increase in job growth, which is comparable to the national average for all occupations.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017, the median annual salary was $60,000
Retail sector
This includes any job in retail that involves serving customers. Some jobs are hourly, others on a salary, and some are completely or partially commission-based.
This sector has many job titles. Many job titles can be used to describe the work in this sector, including sales representative, sales consultant, sales associate, and sales consultant.
Sometimes, the term “retail”, is used interchangeably with “sales”.
Assistant store managers are often in sales positions just like any other.
Because many retail outlets consider all full-time employees to be prospective managers-in-training, assume that any title that includes the word “store” refers to a retail sales role.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017, the median annual salary was more than $23,000
A sales representative is also known as a sales associate. Sometimes, the term “retail”, is used interchangeably with “sales.”
Retail sales positions can either be hourly or commission-based. Assistant store managers are often sales positions.
Because many retail outlets consider all full-time employees to be prospective managers-in-training, assume that any title with the word “store” refers to a sales role.
SalaryExpert.com states that sales reps in large businesses earn an average of $56,000 annually, while small business employees make an average of $41,000.
Sales are one of the many responsibilities that retail sales representatives have every day.