Sales support coordinators handle an array of office tasks.
A sales support coordinator handles clerical duties for a sales team. Sales support coordinators answer phones, file accounts, fax documents and respond to emails, providing a valuable link between salespersons and their clients. In some instances, sales support coordinators handle some light bookkeeping responsibilities, or even make a sales call themselves.
Basics
Sales support coordinators work in a multitude of industries and perform a wide range of office tasks. Many of their duties change on a daily basis. The key is to assist the sales team in helping the company generate income. Often, sales support coordinators greet clients and direct them to the salesperson who handles the client's territory or account. They need to have a firm grasp of the goals of the sales team and conduct themselves professionally.
Skills
Sales support coordinators must be well-versed in numerous general tasks. They should be capable typists with an understanding of computers and sales-related programs, enabling them to enter accounts and data into the system. Sales support coordinators also must be courteous, organized, motivated and possess excellent customer service abilities. On top of those things, they should have strong grammar and note-taking skills.
Background
Most sales support coordinators can get hired with a high school diploma. Others attend vocational or community college where they polish their office skills. Areas of study for sales support coordinators might include business, math, communications and keyboarding. But many times a positive attitude is as important as education, as is an ability to work well alone or as a member of a team and follow instruction. In some cases, basic sales skills may help candidates earn a job.
Prospects
As long as there are sales departments, jobs for support coordinators should be steady. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of office workers in general is expected to increase by 11 percent through 2018, which is about the same growth rate for all occupations. While those numbers weren't specific to sales support coordinators, they are likely to see their prospects grow in a similar fashion as the rest of the clerical industry.
Earnings
Sales support coordinators can earn a decent living, depending on the industry in which they work, along with their experience and overall duties. According to PayScale.com, sales support workers made anywhere from $10.11 to $24.40 per hour in April 2010.
