What Is a Sales Data Analyst, and How Do I Become One?

Key takeaways

• A sales data analyst, also called a sales analyst, uses data to increase a company's sales revenue.

• Rather than be directly involved in making sales, sales data analysts study patterns and trends and devise and implement strategies to increase sales efforts.

• You can become a sales data analyst by building skills in marketing and data science through a degree or online programs and field experience.

Learn more about the role of a sales data analyst and the steps you can take to become one in the following article. If you're ready to get started right away, consider enrolling in Unilever's Supply Chain Data Analyst Professional Certificate program. In as little as four months, you could learn to use data and the current status of expenses and profitability to understand the impact of business operations.

What is a sales data analyst?

As a sales data analyst, you'll play a significant role in driving the company’s growth and revenue, focusing on suggesting steps to improve sales performance for the sales team. These professionals work intensively with sales analytics using competitive analysis to suggest improvements, new initiatives, and strategies to increase revenue over time. You'll work closely with financial aspects, using data to forecast and plan budgets and see where you can increase revenue and reduce overspending. 

What does a sales data analyst do?

Sales analysts support companies in improving sales revenue-making decisions based on data. This position includes responsibilities ranging from competitive analysis to creating forecasts, interpreting findings, and working with teams to use data insights to inform sales and marketing strategies. 

The exact duties and responsibilities may vary depending on where you work, but in general, you can expect your sales analyst job description to include the following tasks:

• Analyzing internal and external sales data to find trends and patterns

• Using data to prepare sales forecasts

• Creating sales reports

• Tracking performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs)

• Working closely with the sales and marketing teams

• Working with stakeholders to understand sales objectives

• Monitoring pricing strategies

• Providing actionable insights for data-driven decision-making

Duties and responsibilities of a sales data analyst

The duties and responsibilities of a sales data analyst vary according to the organization you work for and their goals and sales strategies. In general, you might be responsible for the following: 

• Collecting and analyzing internal and external sales data to identify trends and patterns

• Using data to prepare sales forecasts and track performance metrics and KPIs

• Creating comprehensive sales reports and presenting findings to management teams

• Working with stakeholders to understand sales objectives and business goals

• Monitoring pricing strategies and competitive market conditions

• Presenting data-driven suggestions for improvements and revenue growth strategies

• Collaborating with marketing, sales, product development, and finance teams

• Providing actionable insights that support data-driven decision-making

Sales data analyst job description

A sales analyst job description will vary depending on where you work and whether your role focuses on any specific area of sales analysis. Use this job description as a guide for a general sales analyst role:

Job Overview:

We are seeking a detail-oriented Sales Data Analyst to join our team and drive revenue growth through data-driven insights. The ideal candidate will analyze sales performance, identify market trends, and provide actionable recommendations to optimize our sales strategies and business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collect and analyze internal and external sales data to identify trends and patterns

• Use data to prepare accurate sales forecasts and track performance metrics and KPIs

• Create comprehensive sales reports and present findings to management teams Work with stakeholders to understand sales objectives and align analytics with business goals

• Monitor pricing strategies and competitive market conditions

• Present data-driven suggestions for improvements and revenue growth strategies

• Collaborate with marketing, sales, product development, and finance teams Provide actionable insights that support strategic decision-making across the organization

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Python, R, or other statistical programming languages

• Knowledge of sales processes and revenue operations

• Strong presentation and communication skills

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously

Where do sales data analysts work?

Sales analysts work across all industries in any business that relies on sales to make a profit and usually find roles in large organizations where strategy and growth are essential. It plays a critical role in today's marketplace, characterized by sales derived from multiple channels and platforms, underscoring the critical nature of understanding sales data. This means you might have various options when choosing an employer.

Sales data analyst skills

Working as a sales data analyst means you must master a range of technical and workplace skills, as this role means you must be highly analytical and have the ability to communicate and consult with members of internal teams. Sales data analyst skills include both technical and workplace skills:

Technical skills

• Data analysis

• Presentation

• Excel

• Business acumen

• Research

• Salesforce

• Customer relationship management

• SQL

Workplace skills

• Communication

• Strategic thinking

• Customer service

• Attention to detail

• Problem-solving

• Time management

• Multitasking

Sales data analyst jobs

Sales analyst experience can help you access similar and advanced analyst positions. You may move on to the job of senior sales analyst, which may involve more complex data analysis or staff management. You might also move into analytics positions such as business analyst or finance analyst, more specific sales analyst jobs, or management roles like marketing or sales manager. Sales analyst positions can be further broken down into specialist roles focusing on a particular sales aspect. Each has distinct features that might appeal to you:

• Demand planner: You’ll use analysis and forecasting to predict the demand for a product to manage supply chain inventory and operations. 

• Pricing analyst: You’ll set prices for products and services by analyzing market data and trends to find a fair and competitive price point.

• Sales operations analyst: You’ll support the sales and marketing team by using data analysis to improve the sales operations process.

• Market research analyst: You’ll analyze data to understand customer behavior, preferences, market trends, and what makes people buy a product. 

Sales data analyst salary

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for sales data analysts in the US is $94,000 per year. This figure includes an average base salary between $58,000 and $94,000 plus $15,000-$28,000 on average in additional pay [1]. Additional pay may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses. Keep in mind your salary may be influenced by factors like location, years of experience, and industry.

How to become a sales data analyst

To begin your career as a sales data analyst, you’ll need a certain level of education, experience, and mastery of relevant skills. For many, this involves degree-level education and industry experience. 

1. Gain the necessary education.

Sales data analyst jobs may require a bachelor’s degree with a relevant major such as business, accounting, finance, or marketing. You may consider further study with a master’s or even a doctoral degree to stand out against your competition and earn the highest salaries. 

2. Gain experience.

Starting out in entry-level roles in data analysis is a great way to gain experience, as employers generally expect some experience before hiring you as a sales data analyst. Working in a business setting is also practical experience as a sales data analyst needs a good grasp of how businesses work.

Read more: Entry-Level Data Analyst: What They Do + How to Get Started

3. Build skills.

Formal education and professional experience help you to build the skills you need for a career as a sales data analyst. However, these aren’t the only ways to hone your skills, and if you can develop your skills further through personal projects, practice, self-learning, mentoring, and online courses, you’ll have something extra to add to your resume. You might consider an online course like Introduction to Data Analytics For Business.

4. Get certified. 

To further bolster your resume and put you ahead of the competition, you might consider studying for a certification or Professional Certificate. You’ll find many business, sales, finance, and data analytics options. Some examples include the following: 

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

• Certified Marketing Analyst (CMA)

• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

• IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate

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