Sales Representative Job Description
Use this Sales Representative template to create a clear, targeted advert that attracts candidates who can generate leads, close sales and represent your brand. The template is written for UK recruiters and can be adapted for field, inside or territory roles.
What does a Sales Representative professional do?
A Sales Representative sells a company’s products or services by finding and managing leads, presenting solutions to customers and meeting agreed sales targets.
Sales Representative job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Sales Representative
About the role
[Company Name] is looking for a Sales Representative to manage a defined territory and grow new and existing customer accounts in the [region/sector]. You will prospect, qualify leads, deliver product demonstrations, negotiate terms and close business to meet monthly and quarterly targets. This role reports to the [Sales Manager/Head of Sales] and offers [basic salary + commission / OTE of £X] plus [key benefits].
Key responsibilities
- Prospect for new business through cold outreach, networking and referrals within an assigned territory or sector
- Qualify leads and manage a sales pipeline using CRM to ensure accurate forecasting
- Prepare and deliver sales presentations, product demonstrations and tailored proposals
- Negotiate commercial terms and close deals to meet or exceed sales targets
- Maintain strong post-sale relationships to secure repeat business and referrals
- Collaborate with marketing and product teams to tailor offers and feedback market insights
- Record activity, update customer records and produce regular sales reports for management
- Attend trade shows, events and customer meetings as required
Essential skills and experience
- Proven experience in a sales or customer-facing role with demonstrable results
- Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills
- Comfortable with targets, pipeline management and regular reporting
- Ability to work independently, organise territory visits and manage a schedule
- Competent using CRM systems and basic office software
- Right to work in the UK
Desirable
- Experience selling in the same or adjacent industry (B2B/B2C as applicable)
- Formal sales training or recognised sales qualifications
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for field-based roles
- Experience using Salesforce, HubSpot or other major CRM platforms
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding OTE
What we offer
- Competitive basic salary plus commission / uncapped commission structure (placeholder)
- Company pension contribution (placeholder)
- Holiday allowance above statutory minimum (placeholder)
- Paid training and professional development (placeholder)
- Flexible working / hybrid options where applicable (placeholder)
- Car allowance or mileage reimbursement for field roles (placeholder)
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Sales Representative role?
A Sales Representative identifies potential customers, presents products or services, negotiates terms and closes sales. The role requires regular contact with prospects and clients—by phone, online and often face-to-face—together with accurate record-keeping and pipeline management. Representatives vary between inside sales (desk-based) and field sales (territory-based), but all aim to grow revenue and maintain customer relationships.
Typical day
Prospecting and follow-ups, client meetings or virtual demos, preparing quotes, updating CRM and coordinating with internal teams.
Performance & rewards
Compensation mixes base pay with variable commission or OTE; progression often based on quota attainment and pipeline growth.
Work patterns
Can be inside (office/remote) or field-based; territory roles involve travel and face-to-face meetings with customers.
Typical Sales Representative responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Prospect for new business through cold outreach
Prospect for new business through cold outreach, networking and referrals within an assigned territory or sector
Qualify leads
Qualify leads and manage a sales pipeline using CRM to ensure accurate forecasting
Prepare
Prepare and deliver sales presentations, product demonstrations and tailored proposals
Negotiate commercial terms
Negotiate commercial terms and close deals to meet or exceed sales targets
Maintain strong post-sale relationships
Maintain strong post-sale relationships to secure repeat business and referrals
Collaborate with marketing
Collaborate with marketing and product teams to tailor offers and feedback market insights
Record activity
Record activity, update customer records and produce regular sales reports for management
Attend trade shows
Attend trade shows, events and customer meetings as required
Sales Representative skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven experience in a sales or customer-facing role with demonstrable results
- Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills
- Comfortable with targets, pipeline management and regular reporting
- Ability to work independently, organise territory visits and manage a schedule
- Competent using CRM systems and basic office software
- Right to work in the UK
Useful where relevant
- Experience selling in the same or adjacent industry (B2B/B2C as applicable)
- Formal sales training or recognised sales qualifications
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for field-based roles
- Experience using Salesforce, HubSpot or other major CRM platforms
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding OTE
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Sales Representative job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Lead with the selling points
Start the advert by highlighting what makes the role attractive (commission structure, key clients, territory size or training) to grab experienced sellers’ attention.
Specify the target market
State the customer type, sector or territory the role covers so candidates can quickly assess fit.
Be clear about pay and targets
Give a realistic indication of base and OTE or describe typical earnings structure — sellers prioritise transparency on remuneration.
Outline the sales process
Briefly explain whether the role is lead-generated, outbound-heavy, or reliant on account management to set expectations.
Include progression and support
Mention available training, onboarding and advancement routes to attract candidates thinking long-term.
Sales Representative salary considerations
Salaries for Sales Representatives vary widely depending on sector, seniority, and how pay is structured. Employers should consider base salary, commission or bonus schemes, benefits and the expected OTE when setting a market-competitive package.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Sales Representative candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What is the territory or customer base?
Candidates will want to know the geographic area, account list or industry verticals they'll be responsible for.
What are the on-target earnings (OTE) and commission terms?
Experienced sellers need clarity on how commission is calculated, payment frequency and whether targets are realistic.
What training and onboarding are provided?
Detail initial training, sales coaching and product support to reassure candidates about ramp-up time.
What are the typical working hours and flexibility?
Clarify expected office time, evening or weekend work, and remote or hybrid options.
Are travel, mileage and expenses covered?
Field candidates will ask about car allowances, what expenses are reimbursed and how travel is authorised.
What are the probation and notice arrangements?
Candidates expect to know the length of probation, review points and contractual notice periods.
Where to post a Sales Representative job
For a Sales Representative role, combine broad UK job boards with specialist sales and industry-specific sites to reach both active and passive candidates. Use LinkedIn and professional sales communities to target experienced sellers, and local channels or recruitment partners for territory-based field roles where geography matters. Adjust distribution according to the role’s seniority and sector: technical or enterprise sales benefit from niche specialist boards and headhunting, while transactional retail or telesales roles perform well on mass-market job sites.
Related sales & business development job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Sales Representative job description FAQs
Should I include a salary range in the advert?
Yes. Including a clear salary range and an indication of expected OTE or commission structure increases applicant quality and reduces time wasted by misaligned expectations.
What interview stages work best for sales hires?
A short phone screen, a competency interview with the hiring manager, a practical sales exercise or presentation and a final cultural fit meeting are common. Include reference checks and a review of past performance where possible.
Do I need a formal sales qualification to hire?
Formal qualifications are useful but not essential for many sales roles. Prior sales experience, demonstrable results and sector knowledge are typically stronger indicators of likely success.
How long does recruitment usually take?
Timelines vary by seniority and sector, but expect 4–8 weeks from first advert to offer for standard field or inside sales roles. Specialist or senior roles can take longer.
Ready to hire your next Sales Representative?
Customise the template to reflect your territory, target customers and pay structure, then advertise through the channels that match the role. If you prefer, download this job description or use a posting service to reach a wider pool of qualified sales candidates.
