Role of a sales officer in FMCG


                              

1.Secondary sales.      


Generating secondary sales, is the primary responsibility of a sales officer. Through his distributor he need generate secondary sales. He has to monitor distributor’s salesman, for order collection .He need to ensure that distributor’s salesman takes order from market as per company’s system. Also he need to ensure that distributor’s salesman visit his market on regular basis. 

2.Collecting order from distributor.      


After secondary sale , it is obvious that sales officer need to take primary order from distributor and make payment to company from distributor. He need to take order for all sku as per market potential basis. Also he need to take order for company’s focus product. If any new product launched by company ,he need to  plan for distributor’s order. 

3.Monitoring distributor’s godown 

                                                         
Sales officer has to keep an eye into distributor’s  godown stock to maintain continuous stock flow to the market. As per distributor’s godown stock,  sales officer need to make a primary plan for the month. Shortage of a single SKU at distributor point will led to short supply of that SKU into the market. Hence sales officer should have updated knowledge of distributor’s godown stock on daily basis.    

4. Link between market and company.    

Sale officer is the link between company and the distributor. He need to execute company’s agenda in the real market through distributor. Also he need to communicate market issues to company in consultation with distributor. He is the primary information collector about competitor’s activity , competitor’s  pricing and product quality .
                                                                                                         

5.Product visibility in market.              

                                        
Product visibility in market is essential for FMCG product, sales officer need to focus on this . He need to use POP /POS  material , and any other company  provided  material for product visibility( Some company provides Rack , Hanger and Dispenser). If company provides some display scheme , he need to use  these  properly.  
                                                                                                      

6.Market expansion .  

                                                                
Sales officer need to find new outlet, new market and new customer. Appointment of new distributor and super stockist  where necessary, is the key role of a sales officer.  Also he need to place new product to existing and new customer. That means sales officer  need to penetrate optimum quantity into the trade channel.
                                                                                                                    

7.Damage control.


In FMCG , unsold goods are called damage. Damage is net loss to the company and hence sales officer need to find mechanism for damage control. He need to focus on FIFO( First in first out) maintain at distributor’s  godown.  Also at the time of supply, he need  to ensure that right products are placed in right outlet in right quantity.

8.Coordinator among channel partner.   

                                   
Sales officer need to do coordination with different channel partners. He need to maintain a good relationship between  retailer and distributor, wholesaler and distributor, distributor and super stockist  and super stockiest with rural distributor. So that company’s business can run smoothly .                                        

 9.Market intelligence .           

Collecting market information is very crucial for a sales officer. Understanding competition, and plan accordingly is the key to success . Sales officer should know     about competition, their product, pricing , quantity, trade scheme, discount and also types of service provided by competitor .  

10.Distributor’s ROI       

                                                                   
In the entire distribution channel,  distributor  is the main pillar of FMCG sector. He invest money and time into a particular brand . Hence, it is  sales officer’s duty to ensure a healthy ROI for distributor. Sales officer should keep an eye into distributor’s expense,  for  healthy ROI .  Also  distributor’s investment should be kept within limit.                                                                                                   

11.Monitoring off role sales person.      


Majority of FMCG distributor keeps some salesman under them. Sales officer need to monitor them for their day to day working. If necessary give them proper training , make them familiar with company’s working guideline. Working with them for OJT (On Job Training) and maintaining their discipline are also essential . Also most important thing is,  to keep them motivated to get expected sale volume.

12.Effective implementation of trade scheme and discount.   

     
All  FMCG company gives some discount or trade scheme in the market for sales promotion. Sales officer need to ensure these to be passed on to market. All distributors are not honest , be careful while operating scheme and discount.  
             

13. Monthly target setting.                       

                                       
As a sales officer you will get monthly target from your boss. Your job is to set distributor wise target for the month( Distributor wise value  target and sku wise target). Also set PSR /RSA wise monthly target.                                                            


14.Sales data analysis .          


As a sales officer you will get sales data everyday or every  month. You need to analyze these data, and as per your analysis you need to take action For example sales data will be like , distributor wise sales data, product wise sales data etc.  
                                                                                                 

15.Market share growth.          


First of all, Sales officer need to maintain existing market share along with share gain. FMCG company keeps a huge sales force to grow market share. He need to find scope for share gain in the market.    
                                                              

16.Revenue growth.                                                                                                    

Every year FMCG company needs revenue  growth to survive. Because of increasing cost , business expansion and new technology adoption etc.  Hence sales officer need to find scope for revenue growth.

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