Assistant sales managers work in a junior leadership position in a retail, wholesale, or manufacturing organization. Their day-to-day duties may include communicating sales goals and strategies to subordinate employees, promoting attentive and individualized customer service (as well as handling any customer complaints), and initiating and closing sales. At times, assistant sales mangers may have to fill in for their supervising sales managers to ensure smooth and uninterrupted sales service. Other responsibilities of assistant sales managers may include aiding in recruitment and retention of new and continued employee, as well as training new employees.
Assistant sales managers must have excellent customer service skills, the ability to multitask in stressful situations, attention to detail, and an exemplary sales record. In general, a college degree is not necessary, but may be preferred by employers. Often, sales companies promote lower-level employees to the assistant sales manager position.