Sales Supervisor

Do you enjoy working with people? Are you a natural leader? Then becoming a sales supervisor may be just the right fit for you. There are a wide variety of career options, with many industries to choose from. And, if you aren't interested in a career in retail, non-retail sales supervisors are employed in many exciting industries, including numerous wholesale markets.

What is a Sales Supervisor?

A sales supervisor oversees the work of retail or non-retail sales employees. The sales supervisor may also perform some tasks of a manager, such as purchasing, accounting and budgeting. Retail sales supervisors may ship goods, arrange displays and help customers as well as assist staff.  Whether overseeing retail or non-retail sales activities, they make day-to-day decisions regarding the employees they supervise.

Job Responsibilities of a Sales Supervisor

Sales supervisors of retail sales employees may:

• Greet and assist customers
• Respond to customer inquiries and complaints
• Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, taking inventory, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers
• Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods
• Inventory stock and reorder when necessary
• Instruct staff on how to handle difficult or complicated sales
• Meet financial objectives by preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances and initiating corrective actions
• Formulate pricing policies and accuracy
• Attend trade shows to identify new products and services
• Coach, counsel, recruit, train and discipline employees
• Approve contracts with vendors
• Utilize information technology to record sales figures for data analysis

Sales supervisors of non-retail sales employees may:

• Confer with company officials to develop methods and procedures to increase sales, expand markets and promote business
• Resolve customer complaints regarding services, products or personnel
• Provide staff with assistance in performing difficult or complicated duties
• Monitor sales staff performance to ensure that goals are met
• Formulate pricing policies on merchandise according to profitability requirements

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Career Outlook for Sales Supervisors

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for these positions in general will change little between 2016 and 2026 – 4 percent, which is less than the average change for all occupations. Supervisors in non-retail sales are expected to fare a bit better with a change of 4.9 percent. ONET OnLine sees employment for supervisors of both retail and non-retail sales workers increasing by 7 to 9 percent over the next decade, which is hovering around the average for all occupations, which is at about 7 percent.

With the job market tight, you will need the right background to land a good position in this field. A business associate degree from Bryant & Stratton College could be just what you need to put you ahead of the competition.

What can I do with a Business Associate Degree?

A business associate degree from Bryant & Stratton College will set the stage for you to become a sales supervisor, whether you chose retail or non-retail work. This degree provides you a broad background in business with emphasis in business communications, sales, marketing, accounting, business law, information technology and management principles. With this degree you can excel in many business-related fields, including sales supervision.

This associate degree will provide you with an understanding of global business issues. You will develop the communication and math skills necessary for a career as a sales supervisor. You will also learn the primary functions of management and understand how they apply to decision-making. And, you will gain the information technology skills necessary to handle common business applications.

Since an associate degree is generally required to become a sales supervisor, Bryant & Stratton College's program will set you well on the path to meeting your career goals.

Additional Training/Requirements for Sales Supervisors

Sales supervisors are often required to have a certain amount of experience in sales before becoming supervisors. And, depending on what state you are in, and the industry you work in, you may have to obtain a license to sell. 

Some employers may look for supervisors with bachelor's degrees. Should that path become a viable option, you will be able to pursue one of several bachelor's degrees at Bryant & Stratton College.

Employment Settings for Sales Supervisors

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry with the highest employment for retail sales supervisors as of May 2016 was clothing stores at about 11 percent. About 10 percent were employed in gas stations and approximately 9 percent were employed with building material and supplies dealers. Other general merchandise stores employed about 8 ½ percent while grocery stores employed just over 5 percent. Other industries which employed large numbers of retail sales supervisors were shoe stores; beer, wine and liquor stores and jewelry, luggage and leather goods stores.

For sales supervisors working in non-retail environments, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the industry with the highest employment as of May 2016 as electronics and appliance stores, with 15,890 employees. Next were wholesale electronic markets with 14,740 supervisors. Depository credit intermediation, which includes commercial banks, credit unions and savings institutions, employed 11,200 sales supervisors, while business support services employed another 10,390. Machinery and equipment wholesalers employed 9,850 supervisors at that time. Additional industries in which sales supervisors in non-retail careers were employed included beer, wine and distilled alcoholic beverage merchant wholesalers, wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite), travel and reservation services, and a variety of merchant wholesalers.

As you can see, there is a wide array of career options available. The diverse, well-rounded education you will receive from Bryant & Stratton College in obtaining your business associate degree will prepare you to take on whichever option you may choose.

A good sales supervisor must have excellent customer service, communication and leadership skills. You must be detail oriented. You must be able to lead others as well as take direction from your managers. This is normally, a full-time position.

While this information may help you in determining the right career path for you, understand that job market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections and Occupational Employment Statistics is intended to provide insight into occupational opportunities, and is not to be construed as a guarantee of salary or job title. Bryant & Stratton College cannot guarantee employment in any field.

For insights into a career as a sales supervisor, please visit the Business Degrees section of our blog. Here you will find valuable information about business and sales and supervisory careers. Explore the website and be sure to visit the Business Associate Degree page.