Sales Planner's Job Profile
A sales planner is responsible for supporting their assigned team in every aspect of the campaigns including campaign targeting, initial planning, pricing recommendations and campaign reporting. This person is held responsible for providing analysis, insight and recommendations for enhancing current campaigns for which they have to ensure timely and effective delivery.
Sales planners act as a support system for everyday operations related to sales. They are required to draft as well as execute proposals, requests, reports and presentations for working under deadlines without compromising on quality areas. They work together with the sales team to understand the goals and requirements of clients.
They make follow up calls for rate requests, and making creative and insertion orders. These professionals utilize external and internal reporting systems for analyzing the performance of the campaign, optimizing opportunities and identifying discrepancies. They even make recommendations to their team for making improvements in the campaigns on the basis of network performance and current delivery. They also assist in scheduling and planning meetings for sales teams. Ensuring quality customer service by responding to their inquiries is handled by sales planners.
Skills Required
Aspiring sales planners should have powerful analytical background along with ability to analyze, access, and interpret data. Communication and organizational skills of these individuals should be strong with knowledge of effective and successful proposal development. Report building skills are an added advantage for the candidates looking for a sales planning career.
Prospective sales planners should be able to work under strict deadlines. Time management and problem solving skills should be up to the mark too. Understanding of the sales process with relevant experience in a sales based environment helps the candidate to have an insight of work. Organizational awareness is a must to handle crucial tasks related to sales planning. These professionals should be able to adapt to the changing work environment, and be self motivated and good team players for building a reputation in their niche.
Academic Qualifications and Training
A bachelor's degree is a must for the candidates preparing for sales planner jobs. A lot of employers also look for the support experience in sales team for at least one year. With prior interactive marketing familiarity, candidates can have an edge over others. Advanced knowledge of MS excel, MS word, MS PowerPoint and CRM software helps the individuals give their best to work.
Salary and Job Prospects
The annual median salary of sales planners varies from employer to employer. On average, they earn around $84,220 annually with many job opportunities awaiting them. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for sale planners are expected to rise through 2014. This is because the services and products would increase in the market. With the economy becoming competitive every passing day, there would be a need for competent sales planners in the future.
Sales planners usually work for long and unpredictable hours. Their work basically involves around meeting targets, rather than on working hours. Their job is not easy as it involves the pressure of achieving targets within set deadlines.