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The next step up for any experienced sales manager who has proved their abilities within a company is to look at taking on more responsibilities, perhaps over a wider area or region.
This is the Regional Manager and as such you’ll be given overall responsibility for the leadership and management of a whole region’s sales activity.
Whether this is business to business or consumer-focused, you’ll be bringing all your sales and administrative abilities into play at a more strategic and wide ranging level with more resources and manpower but with much more responsibility. |
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Regional Sales Manager Jobs
Is it for you?
Becoming Regional Sales Manager is a big step up and you’ll be playing a much more strategic role. You’ll be looking at helping to directly impart company strategy through your role. Yes, your undoubted sales expertise, knowledge and instinct are vital, but you'll now be looking at teams of people rather than just individuals, you’ll be dealing with staff turnover, employee remuneration schemes, and meeting company objectives – as well as building sales and staying ahead of the competition.
You’ll be building good people around you to help you achieve this and you’ll be doing a lot of meetings, travelling and reviewing. All the time, you'd be building the company's profile, looking for more business and finding the best ways to promote your products.
Qualifications and Skills
Your basic skills can be enhanced and there are always new ideas, techniques and ideas to consider and take note of in your role; however you’ll need to be a good motivator, perceptive and aware of changing trends. You’ll need to be someone who can see the wood and the trees. You’ll have good communication and leadership skills, yet also be analytical and methodical in your approach to problems.
Plenty of other skills can help such as being a good judge of people and being motivated. Deep knowledge of the products and services that you are selling – plus a belief in them – will always help you to the top.
As we have said, there are no specific qualifications needed to become a Regional Manager – many start right from the shop floor level, at least getting to know their businesses from the bottom. However a management degree or qualification and good academic record will add greatly to your acquired skills.
Specialist marketing and sales qualifications such as NVQs, Diplomas and Degrees from the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) and the Managing and Marketing Sales Association (MAMSA) are what you need. So if you are a graduate with good selling skills you’ll go very far and very quickly.
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Opportunities and salaries
All commercial sectors require Regional Sales Managers and if your particular knowledge and expertise matches one of those which are booming, such as IT, Healthcare or advanced manufacturing then you’ll find yourself in demand. Even if you are a specialist, your track record and transferrable knowledge and skills will probably enable you to move into a different industry sector and thrive.
The range of industries, sectors and types of company vary enormously and you’ll get paid very often on commission and bonus related terms. Should you be the Regional Manager of a large company or perhaps of a UK subsidiary your basic salary could be anywhere between £50 to £80k with the possibility of share options and bonuses, car, private healthcare and expenses. Targets and objectives will of course, still be your overriding priority as well as maintaining a healthy and motivated workforce and a satisfied customer base.
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