All jobsSales

266 Sales Jobs in South Africa

Cold calls, client meetings, and quarterly targets shape the rhythm of most account and territory work.

Sales jobs by city

• Mumbai87
• Mexico84
• Colombia83
• Paraná66
• Tokyo49
• Singapore48
• Goiás48
• London44
• San Francisco38
• Barcelona37
• Dubai35
• Washington35
• Rome31
• Frankfort31
• São Paulo31
• Shanghai31

Specialities in Sales

• Retail Sales and Service5814
• Retail Managers1604
• Account Managers and Executives996
• Sales Managers939
• Non-Technical Sales750
• Technical Sales453
• Merchandising96
• Energy Sales77

Questions

• What does a typical day in sales involve?

  Most days combine prospecting for new leads, following up with existing clients, conducting product demonstrations, and negotiating terms. The balance shifts depending on the role—retail associates spend more time with walk-in customers, while account executives manage longer sales cycles with scheduled meetings and proposal writing.

• Can someone enter sales without prior experience?

  Yes, many retail and entry-level business development roles hire candidates with no sales background. Employers often prioritize attitude, communication skills, and willingness to learn over experience, providing on-the-job training for product knowledge and sales techniques.

• How does business development differ from account management?

  Business development focuses on acquiring new clients and opening new markets, while account management nurtures existing customer relationships. Business development roles involve more cold outreach and prospecting, whereas account managers work to retain clients, upsell services, and ensure satisfaction.

• What skills matter most in sales work?

  Active listening ranks highest, followed by the ability to handle rejection without losing motivation. Successful salespeople read social cues, adapt their approach to different personalities, ask probing questions, and persist through multiple touchpoints without becoming pushy.

• How much independence do sales roles offer?

  Most positions provide significant autonomy over daily schedules and approach, especially for field and outside sales roles. Account executives often work remotely and structure their own days, though they report on metrics and attend regular team meetings.

• What does career progression look like in sales?

  Most paths move from individual contributor to senior account roles, then into team leadership or specialized positions like sales engineering. High performers may advance to sales management, regional director roles, or executive positions, while others shift into customer success or marketing.

• How does technical sales differ from other sales roles?

  Technical sales requires deep product knowledge to explain complex solutions, often involving engineering or specialized training. These roles include more product demonstrations, proof-of-concept work, and collaboration with technical teams than traditional relationship-focused sales positions.

• What makes retail sales different from corporate sales?

  Retail sales involves shorter transaction cycles with immediate purchases, often with walk-in customers requiring little follow-up. Corporate and B2B sales feature longer decision-making processes, multiple stakeholders, formal proposals, and ongoing relationship management across months or years.

• Do sales roles require travel?

  It depends entirely on the position type and territory. Outside sales representatives and regional account executives often travel regularly to meet clients, while inside sales teams and retail associates work from fixed locations with minimal or no travel requirements.

• How do commission structures affect the work?

  Commission-based compensation creates variable income tied directly to performance, increasing pressure during slow periods and rewarding high-output months. This structure motivates some people while causing stress for others, particularly in roles where sales cycles are long or seasonal fluctuations are significant.