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 order processing efficiency in retail stores. Some manufacturing companies and production facilities also need sales administrators to handle order processing and invoices.
As a sales administrator in a small sales office, you work under the business owner. In a large organisation, you work within a team. Most employers hire someone who works under minimal supervision. The job could be yours if you are hardworking, well-organised and have exceptional telephone manners.
The job description of a sales administrator is largely the same across all industries, but your tasks vary depending on the organisation you work for. Sometimes, you compile monthly reports, maintain sales records and issue invoices after confirming order details. Some big organisations have multiple sales administrators.
find your jobaverage salary of a sales administrator
According to Payscale, the average salary of a sales administrator in India is ₹360,341 per year. The earnings fluctuate based on experience, qualifications and the employer. For instance, when starting in the role, you take home ₹171,000 annually, while experienced sales administrators earn over ₹858,000 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a sales administrator?
The number of years you have worked in sales affects your earnings. As you gain more experience in sales, you become valuable to employers and can negotiate a higher salary. Your skills in handling customers or using customer relationship management (CRM) software lead to a higher salary.
Salaries also vary depending on the location. Working in metropolitan areas tends to offer higher salaries due to the high cost of living and increased demand for sales administrators. The overall demand for sales administrators in an area also influences salary ranges. For instance, a sales administrator in Bangalore, Karnataka, earns 35.4% more than the national average, while Mumbai, Maharashtra pays the lowest salary in India.
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 (IT) sales administrators: your job is to promote the sale of IT 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 (B2B) or business-to-customer (B2C) sales. It's the most common sales administrator position in various 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 sales administrators.
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sales administrator job description
Some of the typical roles of a sales administrator include:
- processing orders: as a sales administrator, you process orders that reach the company through email, website or telephone. You also process sales orders from field representatives and telesales teams. You check if the customer has the correct price details, 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 information to dispatch teams or the production department. If a customer's records change, you correct the details before releasing the order to the delivery team.
- maintaining customer records: as a sales administrator, you manage the accounts of various customers. When a new client makes an order, you register them into the CRM 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.
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work environment
As a sales administrator, you work in various industries with sales departments, from retail to IT and manufacturing companies. The 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 tasks from your office desk. Work-from-home and remote work opportunities are available if you don't meet with clients face-to-face.
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who are your colleagues?
Sales administrators work with various professionals to assist customers in their purchase process. You are likely to collaborate with account managers, accountants and customer service representatives. You also work with other sales professionals to guide customers through the sales funnel. For instance, you work with sales representatives, sales executives and sales associates to assist customers. You may also interact with the marketing and customer service teams.
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work schedule
The work schedule of a sales administrator ranges from 38 to 40 hours a week. In a full-time position, you work from Monday to Friday and sometimes on Saturday. You don't work overtime during off-peak seasons since you can complete your tasks within the stipulated time frame. However, during peak shopping seasons, like public holidays and Christmas, you work additional hours to keep up with the orders. Part-time positions are also available in the role.
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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 move to higher managerial roles like business development manager and head of sales. Some sales managers specialise in customer account management and focus on becoming the head of accounts management. You can also become a consultant.
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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 on a monthly basis
- 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
The first step to becoming a sales administrator is completing 10+2 and obtaining 50% marks from any Indian exam board with accountancy, finance and economics. To join a sales course, take an entrance test recognised by the academic institution of your choice. Some of the popular entrance exams include the Delhi University Entrance Examination (DUET) and Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET). When you pass the entrance exam, you can pursue a bachelor of commerce or a bachelor of business administration (BBA) and specialise in sales and marketing.
Post-bachelor qualifications are not mandatory but boost your earnings and prepare you for promotions. Consider pursuing a master of commerce (marketing) or an MBA.
sales administrator skills and competencies
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. Being persuasive helps encourage clients to place an order.
- negotiation skills: when processing orders placed through online channels, you negotiate the discounts and prices for the products. Negotiation skills help you convince 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.
- organising skills: since you handle multiple purchases from different clients, it is important to avoid mixing up the orders. Organisation skills also help you meet order deadlines.
FAQs about working as a sales administrator
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a sales administrator.
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what are the duties of a sales administrator?
As a sales administrator, you process orders and take care of after-sales services. You contact customers to obtain missing information and confirm the accuracy of orders and invoices. You also maintain up-to-date records of the company’s customers and create monthly sales reports. If your company offers delivery services, you liaise with the logistics departments to ensure timely delivery.
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what is the salary of a sales administrator in India?
As a sales administrator, you earn an average of ₹360,341 per year. In an entry-level position, you take home less than ₹171,000 annually. As you gain experience, your earnings increase gradually, and you can take home over ₹858,000 per year. If you want to increase your earnings, improve your skills and gain additional qualifications.
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what is the difference between a sales manager and a sales administrator?
Sales managers lead sales teams in different activities that increase company sales. They develop sales strategies and train the field sales representatives. A sales administrator works under a sales manager, providing support in administrative duties like processing orders and creating reports.
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is sales administrator a good job?
A career as a sales admin opens up opportunities in top-level jobs. Working as a sales administrator equips you with the necessary skills to excel in managerial positions. The earnings in the role are also lucrative, making the role worth pursuing.
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is sales administrator a high-paying job in India?
Salespeople earn lucrative salaries in India. In addition to the basic salary, salespeople are also often paid a commission based on the sales made or share in the profits.
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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!