Car Sales Executives are responsible for new and used vehicles sales, ordering and deliveries with prospective customers. They are the link between the retailer and the customer. When their customers make a purchase, they also liaise with them to ensure they are up to date with the progress of their order. Other duties include:

• Acting as a point of contact between customers and the business
• Confirming terms of sales and agreements and closing sales with customers
• Providing customers with detailed and accurate quotations and cost calculations
• Selling appropriate finance products according to the customers’ needs
• Responding to customer queries and resolving their objections to help them to make a purchase

When buying and selling vehicles, a retailer needs to be FCA approved. This means that a Sales Executive will need to receive the correct training prior to starting their new role.

When advising customers about purchasing a vehicle, the sales executive is required, by the conditions of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), to complete numerous training modules in order to meet these standards prior to buying and selling vehicles.

Even though specific qualifications aren’t essential, most companies would like you to show:

• Knowledge of the industry (previous experience would be beneficial) to share necessary information and build relationships
• A willingness to learn on the job and strong work ethic with attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills to successfully address the needs of customers
• Comfortable negotiating and making decisions to arrive at a price that closes a sale but is also profitable

New opportunities with VWG retailers are available to candidates at all levels. All new starters, including those with existing qualifications and experience will be able to access ongoing professional development, including brand specific training, via the Volkswagen Group National Learning Centre.

There is typically one common level of Car Sales Executives, however different employers/manufacturers may use different terms for the same roles, such as Sales Specialist or Sales Advisor. Some retailers may offer new opportunities to progress with your career through professional development training or other training courses. By choosing to progress, this can open up new opportunities in higher-level positions such as a Sales Development Representative or a Department Manager.

A Car Sales Executive will typically report in with the Sales Manager regarding recent reviews, analyses, objectives and future actions. The Sales Manager will have large amounts of Sales experience so they will always be available if their Sales Executives need some extra support.

OTE or On Target Earnings is usually the sum of your base salary plus any commissions or bonuses – the total compensation an employee can make if they meet all of their performance targets. An OTE salary system is often used as a commission incentive to encourage employees to meet their targets.

Sales Executives will usually work between 37 and 40 hours per week, often on a shift rota, including weekends and bank holidays.