Sales Representative

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Sales Representative. A competent learner shall demonstrate among others the following attributes: honesty, integrity, punctuality, self-motivated, responsibility, accountability, interpersonal relations, customer service orientated, ethical behaviour, well organised, self-confidence and confidentiality. A qualified learner will be able to: • Manage customer relationships within the scope of a Sales Representative in the wholesale and retail industry. • Market, promote and sell products of represented brands to improve sales. • Implement product-positioning strategies within the competitive environment.

The survival of businesses in the wholesale and retail sector is dependent on sales volumes. This requires a very strong relationship and close link between the manufacturers, suppliers and the retail businesses that eventually sell goods to consumers. The role of the Sales Representatives creates this close link and serves to build and maintain the required strong relationships without which the targeted sales volumes will not be realised. The strategic nature of this occupation requires that Sales Representatives be thoroughly capacitated, not only in their sales abilities to achieve high sales volumes, but also in marketing and promotion skills to increase awareness of businesses that they represent together with their products and services. This qualification will offer training aimed at developing well-rounded Sales Representatives who have been adequately capacitated to effectively fulfil this function thereby making a significant contribution towards the growth of the retail sector through the high sales volumes that they achieve. This qualification is aimed at learners who may be new entrants and wish to pursue a career, as Sales Representatives, and those who are currently employed and wish to advance their careers, as Sales Representatives. Currently, there is no registered occupational certificate for learners who wish to practice as Sales Representatives, within the retail sector. The National Certificate: Pharmaceutical Sales Representation is a unit standard based qualification, and has thus reached its end date. Two other sales related occupational certificates are for the Sales Advisors and not Sales Representatives. These sales advisors are typically based in-store and assist walk-in consumers, whereas the Sales Representatives typically represent a brand to wholesale or retail outlet or individual business. Learners who successfully complete this qualification can advance their careers, into sales management positions including but not limited to Sales Manager, Sales and Marketing Manager, Sales Executive, in any sector. Qualified learners will benefit from this qualification by applying sales processes, with confidence, at the same time projecting a professional and ethical behaviour, when representing and selling their businesses' products and services. The qualification will increase confidence among customers within the various communities and sectors that are served by these qualified Sales Representatives, thus, increased customers' loyalty and commitment, to the brand. There will be a bigger pool of qualified and competent Sales Representatives that will be available to industry players in the sector. The economy will benefit from this qualification through the high sales volumes that will be achieved by learners who have been capacitated with the skills set covered by this qualification. There is no professional body that regulates this profession. Therefore, registration with a professional body is not a requirement.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. RPL for Credits Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: An NQF Level 3 qualification or at least three (3) years of work experience in sales within the Wholesale and Retail Industry.

• Manage customer relationships within the scope of a Sales Representative in the wholesale and retail industry.
• Market, promote and sell products of represented brand to improve sales.
• Apply product-positioning strategies within the competitive environment.