What does a sales support representative do?
A sales support representative is responsible for assisting the complex operations of sales departments, performing administrative duties under the supervision of a direct manager. Sales support representatives' tasks include acknowledging and encoding customers' orders in the system, processing payments, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns about the products, writing sales reports, and updating the customer of the shipment details. They also support the sales representatives on selling goods and services to potential customers by creating marketing materials and communicating with customers over the phone and e-mail to generate revenues and increase profits.
Sales support representative responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real sales support representative resumes:
- Manage internal CRM and inventory software to track and input sales orders, account history, and stock allocation.
- Facilitate the transition from AS400 to JDE operating system.
- Utilize all programs, systems, and procedures of windows operating systems.
- Help customers troubleshoot technical issues with their computers, process customer transactions and handle escalate issues.
- Assist in setting up and checking EDI data from customers, brokers, carriers, and truckers.
- Work collaboratively with sales representatives and regional vice presidents to produce cost proposals, problem solve and troubleshoot issues.
- Complete all POS opening and closing procedures, including counting the contents of the cash register, and daily deposits.
- Perform operational tasks to maintain audit-ready status in store at all times including preparing bank deposits and balance POS drawers.
- Partner with Cisco s procurement services team for a smooth conversion of purchase requisitions into booked purchase orders via EDI.
- Develop PowerPoint presentation used in presentation within the office by co-workers.
- Enroll eligible individuals in Medicare products accurately complete and submit require enrollment.
- Maintain internal CRM database including all financial details, vendor and customer interactions.
- Prepare PowerPoint presentation for client and present on propose internal changes which would improve overall efficiency within unit operations.
- Maintain input/output of information essential to sales communication regarding commission, quotas, sales activity, compensation appeals and incentive payouts.
- Analyze Medicaid recipients requests and refer appropriately as required by state law ;.
Sales support representative skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Sales Support Representatives are proficient in Sales Support, Phone Calls, and POS. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Interpersonal skills, and Physical stamina.
We break down the percentage of Sales Support Representatives that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sales Support, 16%
Conducted sales support, initiated in-store sales associate training, implemented product demonstrations, and organized promotional material placement.
- Phone Calls, 10%
Respond promptly to customer phone calls and/or other methods of communication while providing superior customer support.
- POS, 8%
Processed and prepared paperwork for reporting, balanced POS drawers, and prepared bank deposits.
- Product Knowledge, 7%
Established a professional relationship with each customer and provide exceptional product knowledge.
- Customer Complaints, 6%
Insured customer satisfaction by investigating and resolving customer complaints relating to sales and pricing policies.
- Customer Inquiries, 6%
Followed up on customer inquiries not immediately resolved and until fully resolved.
Most sales support representatives use their skills in "sales support," "phone calls," and "pos" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential sales support representative responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a sales support representative to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to listen to the customer’s needs and concerns before and after the sale." Sales support representatives often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "direct sales and customer support including distribution of company literature providing detailed information on available services. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform sales support representative duties is interpersonal skills. Sales support representatives responsibilities require that "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be able to work well with many types of people." Sales support representatives also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "developed interpersonal skills in delegating between manufacturers and buyers facilitating purchase orders and tracking shipments. "
Physical stamina. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of sales support representatives is physical stamina. This skill is critical to many everyday sales support representative duties, as "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are often on their feet for a long time and may carry heavy sample products." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "participated in physical inventory counts every month. "
Self-confidence. sales support representative responsibilities often require "self-confidence." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives must be confident and persuasive when making sales presentations." This resume example shows what sales support representatives do with self-confidence on a typical day: "reviewed and tracked 50+ customer orders daily, including accepting credit cards and keeping that information confidential. "
The three companies that hire the most sales support representatives are:
- Bath & Body Works147 sales support representatives jobs
- Builders FirstSource90 sales support representatives jobs
- Humana15 sales support representatives jobs
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Compare different sales support representatives
Sales support representative vs. Sales support specialist
A sales support specialist is primarily responsible for performing clerical tasks to support a sales team. Typically, they gather sales leads and data, produce progress reports and presentations, maintain records of all transactions, and liaise with different accounting personnel. A sales support specialist may respond to calls and inquiries, resolving customers' complaints and concerns promptly and professionally. Furthermore, one may arrange meetings and appointments with clients, develop sales strategies for profit growth, and process orders, all while ensuring customer satisfaction.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between sales support representatives and sales support specialist. For instance, sales support representative responsibilities require skills such as "good communication," "windows," "order processing," and "administrative tasks." Whereas a sales support specialist is skilled in "salesforce," "account executives," "account management," and "rfp." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Sales support specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the professional industry, with an average yearly salary of $65,577. On the other hand, sales support representatives are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $45,182.The education levels that sales support specialists earn slightly differ from sales support representatives. In particular, sales support specialists are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a sales support representative. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sales support representative vs. Field representative
The primary role of field marketing representatives is to drive brand awareness through face-to-face customer interaction. They are the liaisons between sellers and buyers, providing vital information on products and services. To drive sales, they typically promote human relations via communication and distribution of marketing collateral. They design, implement, and execute field marketing campaigns. Other responsibilities of a field marketing representative include negotiating with retailers, promoting business expansion opportunities to merchants and retailers, and attending relevant trade events.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real sales support representative resumes. While sales support representative responsibilities can utilize skills like "sales support," "phone calls," "pos," and "good communication," field representatives use skills like "pet," "patients," "data collection," and "field testing."
Field representatives earn a higher average salary than sales support representatives. But field representatives earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $63,199. Additionally, sales support representatives earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $45,182 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Field representatives tend to reach similar levels of education than sales support representatives. In fact, they're 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Sales support representative vs. Sales representative internship
In a sales representative internship, an intern's duties depend on the directives of a supervising staff or manager. Typically, they are responsible for gaining industry insights while performing clerical tasks such as preparing and processing documents, greeting visitors, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also participate in communicating with clients through calls and appointments to offer products and services, ensuring client satisfaction. Furthermore, as an intern, it is essential to familiarize and abide by the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from sales support representative resumes include skills like "sales support," "phone calls," "pos," and "good communication," whereas a sales representative internship is more likely to list skills in "kids," "sales presentations," "salesforce," and "cold calls. "
When it comes to education, sales representative interns tend to earn similar degree levels compared to sales support representatives. In fact, they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Sales support representative vs. Associate sales representative
The duties of an associate sales representative depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around reaching out to clients through calls or door-to-door visits, offering products and services, collecting payments, addressing issues and concerns, and performing corrective measures when necessary. An associate sales representative often has a quota and deadline to reach; therefore, it is essential to be sales driven and goal-oriented. Furthermore, one must adhere to the policies and regulations of the company.
Types of sales support representative
Updated January 8, 2025
