What Does an Outside Sales Associate Do?
An outside sales associate is responsible for identifying and engaging new prospects, building customer relationships, and closing sales through face-to-face meetings and territory-based outreach. Unlike inside sales reps who work remotely or by phone, outside sales associates travel to meet clients in person, often within an assigned region, to promote products or services and develop long-term customer partnerships.
This role typically involves prospecting, lead generation, demonstrations, contract negotiation, and post-sale relationship management. It requires strong communication skills, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently while meeting sales goals and representing the company professionally in the field.
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Outside Sales Associate Core Responsibilities
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities within assigned geographic territory
- Conduct in-person meetings with prospective and existing customers
- Present product or service offerings through demonstrations and consultations
- Build and maintain long-term customer relationships to support repeat business
- Develop and follow a territory plan, including daily call schedules and visit targets
- Track activity, leads, and pipeline updates using CRM software
- Prepare sales quotes, negotiate contracts, and close deals
- Attend trade shows, networking events, or industry-specific conferences
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure post-sale support and account success
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, Zoho, HubSpot)
- Understanding of sales pipelines, lead generation, and territory management
- Ability to interpret and present sales data, quotes, and performance reports
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (for field travel)
- Comfort delivering in-person presentations and product demos
Soft skills
- Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Resilience and persistence in the face of rejection
- Time management and self-discipline
- Negotiation and persuasive problem-solving
- Professional appearance and client-facing etiquette
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field is commonly requested
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of B2B or field sales experience
- Familiarity with door-to-door, territory-based, or trade show selling
- Experience using digital tools for route planning, mobile CRM, or sales presentations
- Background in the specific industry being served (e.g., construction, medical devices, SaaS)
National Average Salary
Outside sales associate salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Position is:
$123,456
Sample Job Description Templates for Outside Sales Associates
Entry-Level Outside Sales Associate
Position Overview
We’re looking for an entry-level outside sales associate to join our team and help grow our customer base through in-person outreach and field engagement. In this role, you’ll prospect leads, visit clients onsite, and learn the sales process from the ground up through mentoring and structured training.
This is a great opportunity for individuals with strong people skills and a desire to build a long-term career in sales.
Responsibilities
- Identify and qualify prospects through territory research and field visits
- Conduct door-to-door outreach or attend scheduled appointments
- Present company products or services using scripts, materials, and demos
- Follow up with leads and document activities in CRM software
- Participate in ride-alongs, product training, and sales coaching sessions
- Assist in preparing quotes and closing new business
- Meet assigned activity and conversion goals
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic computer skills and familiarity with email and CRM tools
- Ability to learn product knowledge and sales strategies
- Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license
Soft skills
- Strong verbal communication and outgoing personality
- Self-motivated and goal-oriented
- Resilient in the face of rejection
- Open to feedback and coaching
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or part-time experience in retail, customer service, or canvassing
- Participation in sales, debate, or leadership programs
- Experience using mobile apps or route-planning tools
Mid-Level Territory Sales Representative
Position Overview
We are hiring a mid-level territory sales representative to manage client relationships and expand market presence across a designated geographic area. You’ll be responsible for prospecting, conducting onsite product demos, and driving revenue through face-to-face meetings with prospects and customers.
This role is suited for sales professionals with field experience who can manage a territory independently while achieving monthly targets.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain a territory plan for consistent outreach and client follow-up
- Build strong customer relationships through regular onsite visits
- Present solutions tailored to client needs using demos and consultative selling
- Prepare quotes, negotiate pricing, and close new business
- Track pipeline progress and update CRM system with activities and opportunities
- Attend trade shows or local networking events to promote the brand
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Territory planning and customer segmentation experience
- Ability to build and deliver effective sales presentations
Soft skills
- Strong negotiation and persuasion skills
- Ability to work independently while staying organized and accountable
- Collaborative mindset with cross-functional communication skills
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree is commonly requested
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 2–4 years of field-based or B2B sales experience
- Background in selling to small and mid-sized businesses
- Experience managing a quota or book of business
Senior Outside Sales Executive
Position Overview
We are hiring a senior outside sales executive to lead strategic client engagements and drive new business across high-value accounts. In this role, you’ll be responsible for complex sales cycles, negotiating multi-year contracts, and representing the organization to key decision-makers across your territory.
This position is ideal for experienced sales professionals with a proven track record in relationship management and high-performance field selling.
Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of enterprise or high-value clients within a designated territory
- Develop and execute custom sales strategies for new and existing accounts
- Conduct executive-level meetings and lead solution-based sales presentations
- Manage complex pricing proposals, contract negotiations, and deal closing
- Track KPIs such as close rate, average deal size, and revenue per account
- Provide market feedback to product and marketing teams
Requirements
Hard skills
- CRM fluency and proficiency in pipeline forecasting
- Advanced consultative selling techniques
- Understanding of competitive landscapes and industry trends
Soft skills
- Executive presence and client management capabilities
- Strategic thinker with long-term planning ability
- High-level negotiation and objection handling skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field required
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of B2B or enterprise-level outside sales experience
- Familiarity with sales enablement platforms or CPQ tools
- Experience working cross-functionally with legal, finance, or product teams
Regional Outside Sales Manager
Position Overview
We’re seeking a regional outside sales manager to lead a team of field sales representatives and oversee business development across a multi-state region. You’ll set sales goals, coach team members, and manage strategic customer relationships while collaborating with senior leadership on territory growth strategies.
This is a leadership-focused role requiring strong business acumen, sales team development skills, and a deep understanding of territory performance management.
Responsibilities
- Supervise, coach, and support a team of outside sales representatives
- Set territory sales goals and monitor performance metrics
- Conduct field visits and ride-alongs to support reps and observe client engagement
- Develop regional growth strategies and identify new market opportunities
- Partner with marketing, operations, and product teams to align regional efforts
- Manage budget planning, travel schedules, and team expenses
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with sales team leadership and performance reviews
- Proficiency in sales analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools
- Strong knowledge of regional market dynamics and trends
Soft skills
- Leadership and team motivation capabilities
- Analytical thinking and data-driven decision making
- Excellent coaching and communication skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, sales, or a related field required
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ years of sales team management experience
- Prior responsibility for regional P&L or budgeting
- Experience scaling high-growth territories or launching new markets
Remote Field Sales Representative
Position Overview
We are hiring a remote field sales representative to generate new business and support customer relationships in an assigned territory while operating from a home office. In this hybrid role, you’ll plan your field visits, conduct virtual sales calls, and manage your pipeline using digital tools and CRM platforms.
Ideal candidates are self-starters who are comfortable balancing remote work with field-based client engagement.
Responsibilities
- Develop territory strategy and conduct remote and in-person outreach
- Deliver virtual and on-site product demonstrations based on client preference
- Track leads, opportunities, and activity logs in CRM software
- Maintain consistent communication with internal support teams
- Prepare proposals, manage follow-ups, and close sales independently
- Leverage remote collaboration tools to manage pipeline and customer relationships
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in CRM systems, email platforms, and video conferencing tools
- Ability to manage a remote schedule and organize field visits effectively
- Digital presentation and proposal creation experience
Soft skills
- Highly self-motivated and resourceful
- Clear and persuasive virtual and in-person communication
- Reliable time and task management
Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree is commonly requested
Certifications
- None required
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in hybrid or fully remote sales roles
- Familiarity with route planning software or mobile sales tools
- Experience selling to clients in rural or hard-to-reach regions