Sales, Marketing & Procurement

The sector in a snapshot

This industry work force is predicted to grow by 7.5% by 2027 (LMI for all)which demonstrates just how fast as a sector it is growing. Commercial flair, an interest in selling, and a knowledge of customers are vital in this fast paced industry.

The demand for logistics managers has increased in recent years; this is reflected in the 7.3% increase in salaries in North West of England and general growth throughout the UK. Buyer salaries have grown 8.7% in Wales and 6.8% in Yorkshire and Humberside. (reedglobal.com, 2020)

Jobs in this area can be varied, from retail to larger sales, marketing and sourcing.

What could the sector offer you?

Jobs in these industries could allow you to:

Experience largely regular hours - most work is kept within normal working office hours.
Have an office -based environment- most work in this sector is done in an office.
Travel - If you work in sales and procurement you may be required to travel to meet clients and attend trades fairs.
Have a challenge - the sector is competitive and you will really be pushed to the extreme in some roles to be successful.
Sell things that matter - some sales roles will involve you selling essential products to people who need them. This can be through e-commerce or the high-street.
Support others - the role of marketing and procurement for businesses can be essential.

Reality Check

People working in sales may need to work long hours to meet targets or to launch products. If there are targets and clients to meet, then this could fall outside of office hours and may require working in the evenings and weekends. This is a highly demanding work environment with lots of competition; there is a drive to make money, not necessarily a difference which can sometimes be a moral quandary for some.

You will likely need to have skills in...

Knowledge of customers, organisation and self-motivation, communication, analysis, research, selling, numbers/finance, awareness of commercial needs and trends, attention to detail, negotiation skills

Some roles in the sector

PUBLIC RELATIONS (PR) OFFICER (£18-50,000 per annum)

This role is about managing reputation. A career in PR involves gaining understanding and support for your clients, as well as trying to influence opinion and behaviour. You'll use all forms of media and communication (social media, content creation, press releases) to build, maintain and manage the reputation of your clients which could include individuals or business.

MARKETING OFFICER (£20-50,000 depending on the company)

The role is aimed at maximising profits through developing sales strategies that match customer requirements and by promoting products, services or ideas. Marketing executives develop and oversee marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They will usually monitor and maintain social media accounts, write content, support with events and promotion and arrange physical and digital marketing (posters, flyers, posts, emails).

PROCUREMENT OFFICER (Typically an average of £35,360 dependent on the organisation)

Procurement is the act of buying goods or services for a business. A procurement officer would be involved with collaborating with staff in a business such as a school, factory or health centre, to buy required items for the organisation to run. Day to day tasks include negotiating contracts and deals, monitoring and forecasting stock demand, and completing transactions.

BUYER (Approx. £34,320 a year)

A buyer’s job is to source, select and purchase goods. Buyers must anticipate customer demands and predict market trends. By combining good people management skills and thorough industry knowledge they negotiate prices with suppliers and agree with the schedules for delivery. They are always working to get the best deal for their company.