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International trade professions

Sales analyst: missions, skills, training, salary and career development

Business analysts are key professionals in companies seeking to improve their sales performance and adapt to a constantly changing market. Thanks to their expertise in data analysis and their understanding of sales dynamics, they play a strategic role in providing insights based on concrete data. Working with the sales, marketing and finance teams, the business analyst helps guide strategic decisions to maximise results and seize opportunities for growth . This profession, at the crossroads of data analysis and trade, attracts many profiles due to its wide range of career perspectives and high demand on the job market.

What does a business analyst do?

The main role of the business analyst is to use the available data to optimise the company's performance. Their responsibilities are varied and include:

  • Commercial data analysis: Collecting, processing and interpreting large volumes of data from sales, customer feedback and market research. These assessments can be used to identify trends, weaknesses and opportunities to be exploited.
  • Reporting: Providing regular, detailed reports to management and other departments to give a clear picture of the current situation. These reports include dashboards, graphs and key performance indicators (KPIs) to facilitate decision-making.
  • Strategic recommendations: Proposing concrete actions based on the results of the studies, such as improving sales processes, targeting new customer segments or adjusting pricing policies.
  • Competitive intelligence: Observing market trends and competitors' initiatives to anticipate developments and stay competitive.
  • Working with teams: Working closely with the marketing, sales and finance departments to ensure that the strategies implemented are aligned and consistent.
  • Developing decision-making tools: Designing and implementing interactive dashboards, customised indicators or advanced analysis tools to make it easier to monitor performance.

What skills do you need to be a business analyst?

Being a business analyst requires a combination of technical and personal skills:

Technical skills:

  • Expertise in data analysis tools: Analysts need to be comfortable using software such as Excel (advanced level), Power BI, Tableau or SAS to process large volumes of data.
  • Use of CRM: Tools such as Salesforce or HubSpot can be used to monitor sales performance and identify trends.
  • Statistics and modelling: A solid grounding in applied mathematics is required to interpret data and extract reliable forecasts.

Personal skills :

  • Analytical mindset: Analysts must be able to break down complex data and draw useful conclusions.
  • Synthesis skills: It is important to translate complex information into clear and accessible reports.
  • Interpersonal skills: Working with different departments, business analysts need excellent interpersonal skills to ensure that analyses are properly understood.
  • Priority management: As projects are often multiple and have tight deadlines, good organisation is essential.

What training do I need to become a business analyst?

To become a business analyst, there are several recommended courses:

Diplomas required:

  • Bac +3: a degree in economics, management, marketing or business is the first step towards this profession.
  • Bac +5: A master's degree in marketing, management or data analysis is often required for the most strategic positions.

EM Normandie offers MSc International Marketing and Business Development to prepare you for this profession.

Additional training:

Certifications such as Google Analytics, a specialisation in digital marketing or training in project management (e.g. PMP) can strengthen a candidate's profile.

Alternatives or specialisations :

MBAs in business strategy or business intelligence can open doors to management positions.

What does a business analyst earn?

The salary of a business analyst varies according to experience, sector of activity and location:

  • Beginner: Between €30,000 and €40,000 gross per year . These initial years enable you to gain experience in basic analyses.
  • Intermediate: Between €40,000 and €55,000 gross per year , with increasing responsibilities and more strategic assignments.
  • Confirmed/Senior: Up to €70,000 gross per year , or even more in certain sectors such as finance, tech or luxury goods.

What career opportunities are there in this profession?

There are many possibilities for career development in the sales analyst profession:

  1. Sales manager: After a few years' experience, it is possible to supervise a team and manage overall performance.
  2. Marketing manager or director: By specialising, analysts can progress to strategic marketing positions.
  3. Business strategy consultant: Some analysts choose to go freelance to support several companies.
  4. Data Analyst or Business Analyst: Specialising in data analysis opens up opportunities in more technical sectors.
  5. Product Manager or Project Manager: With a focus on project management, analysts can contribute to the development of new products or services.

Business analysts are in demand in a wide range of sectors: retail, consumer goods, tech , industry and financial services.

In a nutshell

Business analysts play a key role in helping companies make informed decisions. Thanks to their expertise in analysis and their ability to propose concrete solutions, they make a direct contribution to the growth and competitiveness of the organisation. This job, at the crossroads of commerce and data analysis, is ideal for people who are comfortable with numbers, curious and have an excellent strategic mind.

Key figures

  • Training: 3 to 5 years' higher education (Bac+3 to Bac+5) in economics, management, marketing, business or data analysis. Specialisations in business intelligence, digital or management are a plus.
  • Salary: €2,500 to €3, 300 gross per month for a beginner and up to €5,800 gross per month for an experienced profile, depending on the sector, the size of the company and the location.