RetailISCO 5223

Sales processor

A sales processor is a person who takes a customer's order from receipt to dispatch, entering it, selecting the delivery channel and making sure the goods leave on time.

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Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

perform multiple tasks at the same time

use spreadsheets software

use databases

provide customers with order information

identify customer's needs

About sales processor

The work centres on handling sales. The processor receives the order, checks it and fills in what is missing, contacting the customer for an address, a reference, a payment method or an extra instruction. Order data is processed and held in databases. The customer is informed about shipment and procedures: when goods will leave, how to take delivery, and what to do about a return or a complaint. After delivery the processor provides customer follow-up services, confirming that the order arrived as agreed and taking the matter further when it did not.

Sales support work means several things at once, many orders at different stages, each with its own deadline. Multitasking and meeting deadlines are therefore part of the role. Contact with customers runs through different communication channels, among them telephone, email, chat and system forms.

The role calls for knowledge of product sales activities and of the characteristics of services, meaning what the company promises a customer and what it does not. Someone starting out handles simple repeat orders in the sales system. Formal requirements are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (19)

characteristics of productscharacteristics of productsThe tangible characteristics of a product such as its materials, properties and functions, as well as its different applications, features, use and support requirements.sales activitiessales activitiesThe supply of goods, sale of goods and the related financial aspects. The supply of goods entails the selection of goods, import and transfer. The financial aspect includes the processing of purchasin...characteristics of servicescharacteristics of servicesThe characteristics of a service that might include having acquired information about its application, function, features, use and support requirements.perform multiple tasks at the same timeperform multiple tasks at the same timeExecute multiple tasks at the same time, being aware of key priorities.use spreadsheets softwareuse spreadsheets softwareUse software tools to create and edit tabular data to carry out mathematical calculations, organise data and information, create diagrams based on data and to retrieve them.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.use databasesuse databasesUse software tools for managing and organising data in a structured environment which consists of attributes, tables and relationships in order to query and modify the stored data.provide customers with order informationprovide customers with order informationProvide order information to customers by telephone or e-mail; clearly communicate about price ratings, shipping dates and possible delays.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.provide informationprovide informationEnsure quality and correctness of provided information, depending on the type of audience and context.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.work independently in saleswork independently in salesDevelop one's own methods of operating with little to no supervision. Sell products, communicate with clients, and coordinate sales while working independently of others. Depend on one's self to perfo...process paymentsprocess paymentsAccept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attent...present reportspresent reportsDisplay results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.provide customer follow-up servicesprovide customer follow-up servicesRegister, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.process order forms with customer's informationprocess order forms with customer's informationObtain, enter and process customers' names, addresses and billing information.issue sales invoicesissue sales invoicesPrepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and...process dataprocess dataEnter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.

Optional (14) — show

customer servicecustomer serviceProcesses and principles related to the customer, client, service user and to personal services; these may include procedures to evaluate customer's or service user's satisfaction.multimodal transport logisticsmultimodal transport logisticsThe logistical supporting activities related to multimodal transport. The different elements of a multimodal system for the movement of goods or people, and all related advantages in terms of time and...international businessinternational businessThe processes related to production or distribution of goods and services across borders.channel marketingchannel marketingThe strategies and practices, including channel sales, that involve distributing products directly and indirectly through partners in order to bring the products to the end consumer.e-commerce systemse-commerce systemsBasic digital architecture and commercial transactions for trading products or services conducted via Internet, e-mail, mobile devices, social media, etc.supply chain principlessupply chain principlesCharacteristics, operations and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to the customer.electronic communicationelectronic communicationData communication performed through digital means such as computers, telephone or e-mail.company policiescompany policiesThe set of rules that govern the activity of a company.create solutions to problemscreate solutions to problemsSolve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising informat...use e-servicesuse e-servicesParticipate in society through the use of public and private digital services. Seek opportunities for self-empowerment and for participatory citizenship through appropriate digital technologies.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.negotiate sales contractsnegotiate sales contractsCome to an agreement between commercial partners with a focus on terms and conditions, specifications, delivery time, price etc.manage digital documentsmanage digital documentsManage various data formats and files by naming, publishing, transforming and sharing files and documents and transforming file formats.show diplomacyshow diplomacyDeal with people in a sensitive and tactful way.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a sales processor do?

Sales processors handle sales, select channels of delivery, execute orders and inform clients about dispatching and procedures. They communicate with clients in order to address missing information and/or additional details.

What skills does a sales processor need?

A sales processor needs 19 essential skills, including characteristics of products, sales activities, characteristics of services, perform multiple tasks at the same time, use spreadsheets software.

Will AI replace sales processor jobs?

The AI disruption score for sales processor is 70/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: issue sales invoices, process data, electronic communication. Most resilient: show diplomacy, speak different languages, have computer literacy.

AI Replacement Risk

70/ 100

High Risk

Low riskHigh risk

Skills most at risk from AI

issue sales invoices process data electronic communication

Skills resilient to automation

show diplomacy speak different languages have computer literacy

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Quick Facts

SectorRetail

ISCO GroupSales workers

Essential Skills19

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