The Skills We Need
We receive many applications every year for Tactical Sales Representatives. So how can you stand out? Well, here's some insider knowledge to help you understand what we're looking for. As you can see below, it's not all about qualifications; it's about you as an individual and the skills (or as we call them internally, Competencies) that you can bring to the role.
These include:
Motivation and Drive
When it's raining and cold on a Monday morning, we'll still expect you to show the same levels of enthusiasm and motivation as any other day. A strong work ethic, ambition, commitment and a can do attitude will help you achieve your objectives and reap the rewards of your bonus. Not least, you'll need an enthusiasm for learning new skills and the ability to get the most from our training.
Resilience
It takes ambition and drive to achieve targets. However, you'll be expected to demonstrate resilience too; retailers are busy people and will not always have the time to see you. If you're persistent and able to successfully overcome challenges you'll be ready to up your performance levels, whatever setbacks may come your way.
Excellent Interpersonal and Relationship Building skills
To the Independent Trader, you're the face of Imperial Tobacco. To your colleagues, you are part of a wider sales team. Each day you'll be out and about daily, talking to retailers about our brands. So you'll be able to communicate effectively, engage with a wide variety of people at different levels and build trust and long lasting relationships both internally and externally.
Flexibility
You'll encounter a variety of different people each day, each with a different expectation. Flexibility is vital in the Tactical Sales role as we're part of a wider sales team and could be asked to take part in a particular brand drive activity such as attending festivals at short notice, these could be over weekends and evenings. You'll also be required to cover other territories from time to time. Whilst not a pre-requisite, you're ability to be able to relocate to another area also increases longer term career development options within the business.
Organisation
When you first start you may feel daunted by everything you have to remember. That's where your ability to prepare, plan and be as organised as possible will come in. With an average of 15 calls a day – plus daily admin to complete – you'll take full responsibility for managing your own time. So the ability to prioritise and remain organised is essential.
Commercial Awareness and Numerical Ability
Business and sales focus is critical and we'll expect you to take a commercial approach to your work. Understandably, you'll need to be comfortable analysing and using a range of numerical data and always be able to look for areas where you can maximise sales and opportunities to drive the business forward.
In addition, you must have:
- both parts of a full UK driving licence
- reasonable experience of driving since passing your test
- the right to work in the UK (we cannot accept applications if you require a work permit).
Whilst sales and marketing experience may be advantageous, we look at the skills above in people from all industry backgrounds and provide comprehensive training. In some locations, additional language skills would also be a plus.