all about sales director jobs.
If you are the kind of person who is self-motivated, detail-oriented and enjoys responsibility, you will probably find a fulfilling career in the role of sales director. As the name suggests, this is a senior position overseeing sales-related issues on an organizational scale, leading your teams to meet their targets, as well as communicating with other parts of the business to report and strategize.
what do sales director jobs entail?
In the role of sales executive, you will oversee all sales-related matters, from striving to meet key performance indicators to strategizing on things like large-scale promotional campaigns. You will also be responsible for reporting to senior executives and motivating your team to achieve the goals that those executives set for the organization.
what is a typical work schedule for sales directors
The basic hours of a sales director should stay within the regular business hours of 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, for a standard 40 hours per week. That being said, being a sales director is a senior position, and you will be expected to handle any matters that fall under your remit. This may mean working longer hours in some situations or just getting ahead of your workload during busier periods. Also, suppose you are taking a sales director role at a larger company with multiple locations or one whose customers are large organizations themselves. In that case, you will likely have to travel, which can add to your schedule.
what are the pros of sales director jobs?
- Great pay: It is not uncommon for sales directors to earn upwards of $100,000 per year, and even the low end of the scale for this role is comfortably about the national average salary in Canada. This can certainly be a financially rewarding career.
- Position of great influence: Being the sales director at an organization puts you in a position to have a lot of influence over many aspects of the company. Your influence needs to result in improved sales for your organization, but you can affect positive changes in the name of those sales.
- A senior role with prospects: Being a sales director puts you in the executive region of the company's hierarchy. Should you have ambitions to move on to more senior roles, experience in this role will serve you well when that time comes.
- Networking: Working in sales naturally means you will communicate with many other people in the course of your work, and many of those people will be in similarly senior positions at their respective companies. As a result, being a sales director can give you a great opportunity to build a network of contacts that may come in useful when looking for new partners for your business or even when looking for a new job.
what are the cons of sales director jobs?
- Reliant on many moving parts to succeed: Being responsible for a large portion of your organization's operation has its downsides. One of the main ones is your reliance on many factors to succeed. Even the best-laid plans can be thrown into chaos by logistical problems or staffing issues. You will need to be able to think your way around issues like this as a sales director.
- Can mean long hours: Though it varies from industry to industry, few sales departments are immune to busy periods and "crunch time" moments. When you find yourself up against one such moment, you may have to work longer hours to ensure everything that needs doing gets done on time.
- It's a high-stress role: Being in charge of such a significant part of a business is naturally going to carry with it the additional stress that so often accompanies so much responsibility. Add to that, the responsibility of managing prospects, meeting targets and hitting deadlines can make for an unpleasant experience if you don't handle stress well.
what are common sales director interview questions?
If you are applying for the role of sales director, you will likely already know the value of planning things out, and your job interview is no different. While many questions are straightforward and can be answered easily, there will also be some questions that have no "right and wrong" answer, and it is these questions that it pays to think ahead.
- What are your biggest weaknesses? Everybody has weaknesses—something your employer will know—so don't waste time trying to minimize your weaknesses. Instead, make sure you demonstrate that you are aware of your weaknesses and are actively working on them. In particular, be ready to explain how you can ensure that these weaknesses do not (and will not) affect your work.
- Do you have any ideas for the company? As mentioned above, you will be in a position of significant influence in the company, and your employer will likely want to see that you plan to use that influence to help the company grow. It could be good to have some concept-stage ideas ready to present. Remember, your employer will not expect you to be able to produce a detailed plan of action for a company that you do not work for yet.
- What are your long-term goals? If you are applying for the role of sales director, your future employer will consider it likely that you have ambitions beyond that role. The fact that you might want to move on one day won't necessarily be a deal-breaker, but they will want to know that you plan to be around for long enough to positively impact the company.
sales director resume and cover letter requirements
Your cover letter and resume will usually be the first thing your potential employer sees of you and, as such, is the first impression you will make. For this reason, make sure it looks professional and contains all of the basic information your interviewer will need when deciding whether to invite you in for an interview.
In your cover letter, you should expand on anything that you would consider a particular highlight from your previous experience or academic life. This would include awards and any other similarly notable events. You should also touch on why you think you will be a good fit with the company, being sure to present a case for the company benefiting from you being there as much as you benefiting from working there. In your resume, include at least the following;
- Name and contact information.
- Brief summary of experience/skills.
- Employment history.
- Education/qualifications.
- Awards/certifications.
- Examples of accomplishments.
- Social media accounts (if work-related).
- Work-related skills.
what is the job outlook for sales directors?
The outlook for sales directors is positive. While the advent of online shopping has seen a move away from physical stores, the role of sales director is just as important to online shopping, perhaps even more important. Additionally, there is much potential to move on to another role, some laterally and some moving up the pecking order.
what are the different types of sales director jobs?
There are a number of similar roles that are often confused with that of a sales director, such as sales manager and marketing director. And, in fairness to those who confuse these roles, they are quite similar. However, they are not variations of each other, but different roles entirely. The role of the sales director itself does not have variations; indeed, the significant differences between sales director positions will stem from the industry and business type in which they are working. A sales director for an industrial firm will have a different experience to a sales director from a catering firm. The core purpose of the role remains the same, however.
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what is the average salary for a sales director?
As mentioned earlier in the article, the role of sales director often commands a generous salary. At the lower end of the scale, an entry-level position can expect to earn around $75,000 per year. That's already above the national average salary in Canada. The average wage for a sales director in Canada is around $100,000 per year, based on an average of 40 hours per week at $51 per hour. At the higher end of the scale, the most experienced and effective sales directors can earn as much as $150,000 per year.
average sales director salaries in canada
- annual: $98,000
- monthly: $8,160
- weekly: $2,040
- hourly: $51
Top paying areas for sales directors in Canada include: Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec.
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what are the duties and responsibilities of sales directors?
With such a senior and far-reaching role, it is only to be expected that there will be a lot of moving parts to keep track of. In your role as a sales representative, you will have many duties and responsibilities, including the following;
- Motivate your team: Your strategies will only be as effective as the people who are executing them, so you will need to be effective at motivating those people and ensuring they stay on course to meet any targets you or your bosses set.
- Prepare sales reports: Sales reports are essential to modern businesses, as they provide a way for people to quickly digest information that may come from several hundred—or even thousand—data points. You will need to be able to put together reports that convey the most relevant and important information in a clear and concise manner for executives and other senior management.
- Analyze the competitive landscape: Nobody can create an effective strategy in a vacuum. If you are going to succeed at coming up with new strategies that meet your goals, you will need to analyze the market and identify trends and other important factors.
- Create goals: The effectiveness of having definite milestones to reach cannot be understated. Of course, those milestones will need to strike a balance between being realistic and challenging. Goals that are too easily achieved waste potential, whereas goals that are too hard to achieve can be demoralizing when they are missed.
- Create and implement training programs: Training programs are useful to keep your team up to date on the latest techniques and theory in the sales industry, not to mention keeping them refreshed on company-specific policies. You will be responsible for creating these programs.
where do sales directors typically work?
Sales director work will spend a lot of time working in an office. Indeed, some sales director roles may hardly ever require you to leave the office in the execution of your duties. You may also need to spend time on a sales floor with your team, though this will depend on the organization you are working for. Your role may also involve some travelling, especially if your organization deals with large companies. In general, however, you should expect quite a physically comfortable work environment.
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what skills and competencies do sales directors need?
- Time management: As a sales director, you will be spinning many plates at once, and it will be almost impossible to keep on top of everything you need to keep on top of if you don't properly manage your time. This also means managing your work-life balance, as it can be easy to slip into an endless work cycle and burn yourself out if you are not careful.
- Communication skills: A large part of your job involves communication. Whether you are talking to your sales teams, delivering reports to your boss, or dealing with important clients regarding new contracts, you will need to be able to communicate with them effectively.
- Problem-solving: Sales is a fast-moving industry and one that can be affected by a wide range of factors. You will need to be able to think critically and solve problems as they emerge to minimize the negative effects of those problems. Such problems can include anything from issues stemming from logistical failures to staffing concerns.
- Computer skills: In the course of your work as a sales director, you will find yourself using a computer a lot, from answering emails to writing reports. You will also likely need to use industry or company-specific software, which, depending on your past experience, may mean you need to learn the software from scratch. Having a good grasp of computer systems will help with all of this.
- Good leadership: Ultimately, being a sales director is a leadership role, and good leadership skills will be necessary to succeed. Being able to handle your team effectively, motivate them, resolve internal disputes, and delegate will make you a more effective sales director.
what training and certifications do sales directors need?
This is obviously a very senior role, which brings with it some quite high requirements in terms of experience and qualifications. Your prospective employer will want you to have at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as business administration. However, you will stand a much better chance if you have a master's degree. You will also need a wealth of experience. Internships can help with this, but also just working in sales. Many employers are going to want at least 5 years of experience—including some management—though some employers may require as much as 10 years of experience.
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FAQ
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FAQs about sales director jobs
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about sales director jobs.
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how to get a job as sales director?
The criteria for a sales director role are quite high. You will need at least a bachelor's degree in terms of qualifications, though you will stand a much better chance if you have a master's degree. Your degree should be in a related subject, such as business administration, marketing, or communications. You will also need between 5 and 10 years' experience in sales, including some management experience.
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how to find sales director jobs?
There are many job sites out there that advertise sales director jobs around Canada. Randstad often has positions listed on our sales director job seeker page and other sales-related positions.
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how to apply for a sales director job?
Applying for a sales director 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!
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how can I be the first to find out when there are new sales director jobs?
Thanks to the internet, we can now easily find new jobs online. The traditional methods of phoning companies up, checking newspapers, and asking around by word of mouth are still there, of course, but now you can check company websites, job listing sites like Randstad, and even follow the social media accounts of companies and people in hiring positions. You can also be among the first to know when a new sales director job is available by signing up for our newsletter.
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what are the duties of a sales director?
Sales directors are responsible for overseeing all aspects of sales in an organization, from creating new strategies to motivating sales teams. You will be responsible for putting together and delivering reports for executives and other senior members of the company and may occasionally need to deal with large clients, which can mean some travel as part of your role. You will also be responsible for setting milestones and seeing that your teams reach them.
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what skills do you need to be a sales director?
Being a sales director requires a number of skills, with one of the most important ones being an aptitude for organization and time management. You will have many things to keep track of, so the better you are at planning, the easier you will find the work. Good communication skills are essential, as well as competency with computer systems.
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what is the difference between a sales director and a sales manager?
On the face of it, sales executives and sales managers and sales directors look very similar. There are many small differences between the roles, but it can be summarized as sales managers being more inward-facing. Sales managers are more involved with the sales force and internal matters, whereas sales directors will do more meetings with clients and develop new strategies to improve sales performance.
- Are you currently looking for a new opportunity in Dollard Des Ormeaux in the food industry? Do you have experience in doing business development? Looking for a challenge? Are you looking for an awesome opportunity to learn and grow with a great company? Manage the day to day of assigned key accountsGrow sales and develop new business within key accountsForecast, budget and plan annual volume objectives for each customerResolve key client issues and complaintsManaging communications between key clients and internal teamsStrategic planning to improve client resultsNegotiating contracts with the client and establishing a timeline of performanceWorking with design, logistics and team members from other departments dedicated to the same client account to ensure that all client needs are metCollaborating with the sales director to maximize profit by up-selling or cross-sellingPlanning and presenting reports on account progress and quarterly initiativesAnalyzing client data to provide customer relationship managementAdvantages• Competitive annual salary• Part of the annual, discretionary bonus plan• Health and dental insurance (100% of premiums paid by company) after 3 months employment• Telus Virtual Health Care Telemedicine after 3 months of employment• 2 weeks paid vacation per year, 3 weeks after 1.5 years of employment• 5 personal days• Hybrid work model, 2 day per week from home• 50% subsidized gym membership to Fit Form West Island• Flex Friday work hours• Casual-professional work environment• Weekly fresh fruit program in the office• Brand new, beautiful head office• Free onsite parking with free electric car charging stations• Outdoor patio for lunches and eventsResponsibilities- Collaborate with several departments to address client needs - Ensure to have all required information for each client’s dossier - Prepare quotes, input information and process orders- Market research- High call volume - Growing accounts and maintaining them- Sales prospecting- Dealing with several accounts and managing them- Reaching out to other retail corporations (ex: Walmart, Sobeys, IGA etc...)- Bringing in new clients in a grocery retail environment- Building and maintaining successful relationships- Answer customer inquiries about any orders via phone or emailQualificationsAt least 4-5 years in sales in a retail environment (Ex: Walmart, Sobeys, IGA etc...)Looking for someone who is self-motivatedStrong sales skills Someone who is good at solving problemsEnglish (spoken and written fluently)minimal French Dynamic, passionate and personable.Excellent knowledge of MS Office Working in a fast pace environmentAble to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficientlyGoal-oriented, organized team playerSelf-motivated and self-directedExcellent interpersonal relationship skillsIn-depth understanding of company key clients and their position in the industryEager to expand the company with new salesAble to analyze data and sales statistics and translate results into better solutionsFour to five years’ previous work experience in sales/key account management with major food retailersExcellent verbal and written communication skillsBasic computer skills , knowledge of SAP an assetStrong negotiation skills, with the ability to follow-through on client contractsAbility to multitask and manage more than one client accountFrozen food experience an assetIf interested in this position or know someone who meets these criteria please send me an email to brandon.freger@randstad.ca or sean.lynch@randstad.ca or give us a call at 514-695-3315SummaryWhy Randstad?There are lots of great jobs, incredible companies, and great bosses.At Randstad, we are here to help you find the right combination for you.If you do not yet have a profile at Randstad and are interested in this position, we invite you to call us at 514.695.3315 and ask for Brandon or Sean or Melissa to arrange a meeting or send us your resume by email at brandon.freger@randstad.ca / sean.lynch@randstad.ca / melissa.cumetti@randstad.caAdd us on LinkedIn:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-lynch-370492126/- https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-freger-ba340392/- https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cumetti-2ab401169/For a complete list of all available jobs by division, visit www.randstad.cagood to know youRandstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to accessibility@randstad.ca to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.Are you currently looking for a new opportunity in Dollard Des Ormeaux in the food industry? Do you have experience in doing business development? Looking for a challenge? Are you looking for an awesome opportunity to learn and grow with a great company? Manage the day to day of assigned key accountsGrow sales and develop new business within key accountsForecast, budget and plan annual volume objectives for each customerResolve key client issues and complaintsManaging communications between key clients and internal teamsStrategic planning to improve client resultsNegotiating contracts with the client and establishing a timeline of performanceWorking with design, logistics and team members from other departments dedicated to the same client account to ensure that all client needs are metCollaborating with the sales director to maximize profit by up-selling or cross-sellingPlanning and presenting reports on account progress and quarterly initiativesAnalyzing client data to provide customer relationship managementAdvantages• Competitive annual salary• Part of the annual, discretionary bonus plan• Health and dental insurance (100% of premiums paid by company) after 3 months employment• Telus Virtual Health Care Telemedicine after 3 months of employment• 2 weeks paid vacation per year, 3 weeks after 1.5 years of employment• 5 personal days• Hybrid work model, 2 day per week from home• 50% subsidized gym membership to Fit Form West Island• Flex Friday work hours• Casual-professional work environment• Weekly fresh fruit program in the office• Brand new, beautiful head office• Free onsite parking with free electric car charging stations• Outdoor patio for lunches and eventsResponsibilities- Collaborate with several departments to address client needs - Ensure to have all required information for each client’s dossier - Prepare quotes, input information and process orders- Market research- High call volume - Growing accounts and maintaining them- Sales prospecting- Dealing with several accounts and managing them- Reaching out to other retail corporations (ex: Walmart, Sobeys, IGA etc...)- Bringing in new clients in a grocery retail environment- Building and maintaining successful relationships- Answer customer inquiries about any orders via phone or emailQualificationsAt least 4-5 years in sales in a retail environment (Ex: Walmart, Sobeys, IGA etc...)Looking for someone who is self-motivatedStrong sales skills Someone who is good at solving problemsEnglish (spoken and written fluently)minimal French Dynamic, passionate and personable.Excellent knowledge of MS Office Working in a fast pace environmentAble to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficientlyGoal-oriented, organized team playerSelf-motivated and self-directedExcellent interpersonal relationship skillsIn-depth understanding of company key clients and their position in the industryEager to expand the company with new salesAble to analyze data and sales statistics and translate results into better solutionsFour to five years’ previous work experience in sales/key account management with major food retailersExcellent verbal and written communication skillsBasic computer skills , knowledge of SAP an assetStrong negotiation skills, with the ability to follow-through on client contractsAbility to multitask and manage more than one client accountFrozen food experience an assetIf interested in this position or know someone who meets these criteria please send me an email to brandon.freger@randstad.ca or sean.lynch@randstad.ca or give us a call at 514-695-3315SummaryWhy Randstad?There are lots of great jobs, incredible companies, and great bosses.At Randstad, we are here to help you find the right combination for you.If you do not yet have a profile at Randstad and are interested in this position, we invite you to call us at 514.695.3315 and ask for Brandon or Sean or Melissa to arrange a meeting or send us your resume by email at brandon.freger@randstad.ca / sean.lynch@randstad.ca / melissa.cumetti@randstad.caAdd us on LinkedIn:- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-lynch-370492126/- https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-freger-ba340392/- https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cumetti-2ab401169/For a complete list of all available jobs by division, visit www.randstad.cagood to know youRandstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to accessibility@randstad.ca to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.
