How to Hire a Sales Manager in Turkey
Understanding the Role of a Sales Manager
A Sales Manager must be equipped with a combination of both technical and interpersonal skills, including strong leadership, project management, communication, sales strategy, marketing, and data analysis. Their primary goal is to drive revenue growth and build lasting relationships with clients.
Turkey offers a dynamic and evolving business environment with ample opportunities across a variety of sectors. The country’s strategic location bridges Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, providing businesses access to key international markets. Moreover, Turkey’s resilient economy continues to show growth potential despite global economic challenges. Sectors such as technology, infrastructure, tourism, food and agriculture are particularly promising for investment.
The competitive talent market in Turkey is another advantage. The country has a growing pool of skilled professionals across various industries, making it easier for international companies to tap into a highly qualified workforce.
How a Sales Manager Can Drive Success in Turkey
Market Entry Strategy:
- Understanding Local Dynamics: A Sales Manager can study the Turkish market, assess local trends, consumer behavior, and the competitive landscape. This research will help tailor sales strategies to ensure market success.
- Regulatory Knowledge: With its specific business regulations, Turkey requires compliance with local laws, including taxation, import/export laws, and operational standards. A Sales Manager can guide the company in staying compliant while optimizing operations.
Networking and Relationship Building:
- Local Connections: A Sales Manager can leverage existing local relationships to establish strong ties with key players in the market, such as suppliers, distributors, and potential clients, paving the way for new business opportunities.
- Cultural Understanding: Navigating Turkish business culture is critical. A Sales Manager should understand the importance of trust, face-to-face meetings, and building personal rapport in cultivating long-term business relationships.
Tailoring Products and Services:
- Adapting Offerings: A Sales Manager ensures the company’s products or services align with local preferences, regulations, and price expectations. Customizing marketing materials in Turkish or adjusting product features can improve local market acceptance.
- Competitive Advantage: By researching the competition, a Sales Manager can position the company effectively, offering a value proposition that resonates with Turkish consumers and businesses.
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations:
- Business Alliances: Turkey’s location is a gateway to regional expansion. A Sales Manager can identify potential local partners to strengthen the company’s presence and access distribution networks.
- Joint Ventures & Investments: Identifying joint venture opportunities or investment avenues with Turkish firms can enhance business growth and regional market penetration.
Sales and Revenue Growth:
- Revenue Generation: Through strategic sales planning and execution, a Sales Manager can drive growth in Turkey’s diverse industries, such as automotive, textiles, electronics, tourism, and agriculture.
- Client Acquisition & Retention: Building a loyal client base and nurturing key relationships are essential for long-term business success.
Market Expansion and Diversification:
- Regional Expansion: Once established in Turkey, a Sales Manager can explore opportunities for growth in surrounding countries, leveraging Turkey’s geographical position to expand into the Middle East and Central Asia.
- Industry Diversification: By identifying emerging sectors in Turkey, like renewable energy, healthcare, and technology, a Sales Manager can guide the company to tap into new, profitable markets.
Risk Management:
- Navigating Challenges: Sales Managers must be prepared to address market risks like inflation, political instability, and currency fluctuations. They can help mitigate these risks through sound financial planning and risk management strategies.
Where to Find Top Sales Managers in Turkey
To hire the right Sales Manager, start by understanding your specific business needs and the qualifications required for the role. Platforms like Kariyer.net and LinkedIn offer large candidate databases to help identify professionals with the experience you seek.
As recruiting agency, we consider using LinkedIn and direct search methods to be highly effective. Reaching out to potential candidates not actively looking for new jobs can yield great results, as many top professionals are passive candidates.
Evaluating Candidates
When evaluating Sales Manager candidates, look for measurable achievements and a track record of increasing responsibilities. A thorough assessment should focus on their ability to adapt and solve complex challenges. Consider integrating skills assessments to identify candidates with the necessary technical and soft skills.
A probationary period is recommended, allowing you to set performance goals and evaluate the candidate’s fit with your company’s culture and objectives. This trial period typically lasts up to two months in Turkey, during which you can assess the employee’s contribution.
Structured onboarding and continuous feedback are essential to help new hires adjust to their role. Offering mentorship and clear development pathways ensures long-term employee engagement and growth.
How to Hire a Sales Manager
For companies without a legal entity in Turkey, employee leasing can be a convenient option. Through an employee leasing company like FMC Group, your company can hire a Sales Manager without the need to establish a local entity. The employee leasing company handles administrative tasks, including payroll, insurance, and tax, while your company manages the employee’s day-to-day responsibilities. This arrangement is especially useful for companies testing the Turkish market before committing to a full-scale investment.
If you choose to establish your own legal entity in Turkey, you can opt for structures like Joint-Stock Companies, Limited Liability Companies, Branch Offices, or Liaison Offices, each offering different advantages based on your business needs.
Summary
To successfully hire a Sales Manager in Turkey, it’s crucial to understand the role, assess your business needs, and conduct a thorough evaluation of potential candidates. By using platforms like Kariyer.net and LinkedIn, offering a trial period, and providing strong onboarding support, you can ensure a successful hire. Employee leasing is an effective way to manage administrative tasks while testing the market. With the right strategies and a skilled Sales Manager, your company can thrive in the Turkish market.
Get In Touch With Us
Emrah Ülkü is the Project Manager responsible for the recruitment projects in Turkey.
He joined FMC Group in 2011 as a consultant to carry out market research projects. Since 2017, he has been leading recruitment projects for our international clients from various industries and continues to support market research projects.
Before joining FMC Group, Emrah worked as an Economist at the Industrial Development Bank of Turkey (TSKB) between 2004 and 2008, where he participated in corporate lending and corporate finance projects and carried out various market analyses. Between 2008 and 2011, he worked at the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT) as a Research Analyst.
Emrah holds a BA degree in Economics from Koc University, Turkey. He is fluent in Turkish & English, and upper-intermediate in German.