Becoming a sales assistant: duties, skills and career prospects

Updated on 2026-10-31

What does the job involve?

The sales assistant makes sure sales run smoothly, from order to delivery and payment. They are the customers' main contact and an essential support for the sales team.

It is a dynamic job at the crossroads of administration, customer relations and marketing. You use an ERP and a CRM, prepare communication materials and take part in sales initiatives, in French as well as in English.

Day-to-day duties

In practice, the main duties are:

  • Producing sales documents and processing orders in the ERP
  • Updating the customer database in the CRM
  • Following up purchasing and shipments with the supply chain
  • Handling customer relations in writing and orally, in French and English
  • Preventing and managing unpaid invoices: reminders, payment tracking, debt recovery
  • Designing communication materials and updating the website and social media
  • Maintaining sales dashboards and organising participation in a trade fair

Skills and qualities sought

  • Customer focus and good interpersonal skills
  • Rigour in tracking orders and figures
  • Everyday professional English (written and spoken)
  • Comfort with digital tools: ERP, CRM, spreadsheets, desktop publishing tools
  • Responsiveness and the ability to handle several files at once

Where can you work?

Any company that sells products or services may need a sales assistant:

  • manufacturing and distribution companies, from SMEs to large groups
  • service and digital companies
  • wholesalers, purchasing centres and trading companies
  • communication agencies, trade fair and event organisers

Career progression and further studies

The Sales Assistant professional qualification is at level 5, equivalent to two years of higher education. With experience, you can move into sales administration, customer relationship management or sales roles. Several study options are possible:

  • BTS Gestion de la PME (Higher National Diploma in SME Management)
  • BTS Support à l'Action Managériale (Higher National Diploma in Management Support)
  • BTS Management Commercial Opérationnel (Higher National Diploma in Operational Sales Management)
  • BTS Négociation et Digitalisation de la Relation Client – NDRC (Higher National Diploma in Negotiation and Digital Customer Relations)
  • BUT Techniques de Commercialisation (Bachelor of Technology in Sales and Marketing)

Salary

There is no single salary for this job: pay depends on your experience, the size of the company, the region and the applicable collective agreement. For reliable, up-to-date benchmarks, check the France Travail job sheet (ROME D1401).

Train with Assistant Academy

Assistant Academy prepares you for the Sales Assistant professional qualification (level 5, equivalent to two years of higher education), a certification recognised by the French State. The programme lasts 400 hours and can be followed remotely, in enhanced remote mode or on site at our premises in Gennevilliers. The course is eligible for CPF funding (France's personal training account).

Still hesitating, or want to check that this job is right for you? We are here to support you in your plans.

  • Discover the Sales Assistant programme
  • Take the career guidance quiz
  • Book an appointment with an adviser