2017 Sales & Marketing Salary Guide

Contents: Consumer | Commentary on Sales & Marketing (Consumer) Roles and Remuneration in China for 2017 | Industrial | Commentary on Sales & Marketing (Industrial) Roles and Remuneration in China for 2017

Consumer

Commentary on Sales & Marketing (Consumer) Roles and Remuneration in China for 2017

Hiring trends

Digital has only started to take off in China over the past decade. As a result, the talent pool of sales and marketing professionals with digital expertise is still relatively small. Some professionals could accurately be described as 'digital natives’, but those at mid to senior level are more likely to come from a mixed background, having started out in traditional sales and marketing functions.

Since digital natives tend to have the same level of digital knowledge as sales and marketing professionals with stronger overall commercial experience (online and offline combined), there has been a gradual levelling of salaries and job titles. Some salaries and job titles for digital roles are not commensurate with overall sales and marketing experience.

Start-ups often have simple and fast recruitment processes. Yet the risk is that neither the employer nor the employee has enough time or information to properly assess each other’s long-term fit. It’s not unusual for sales and marketing professionals to leave a start-up comparatively soon after being hired. Professionals with experience in big data, digital analytics and e-commerce are most likely to be sought after by employers in 2017.

Talent supply

Digital sales and marketing professionals have their pick of opportunities thanks to the combination of the skills shortage and the rapidly expanding digital economy. So they tend to change jobs frequently, motivated by the prospect of higher salaries and more impressive job titles. Companies exacerbate this trend by offering inflated salaries and job titles to attract and retain digital talent.

Unfortunately, too much job hopping could prevent some digital sales and marketing professionals from gaining the long-term strategic planning skills that are necessary to hold mid- to senior-level positions. Jobseekers should balance this requirement with the need to keep up with the technological advances.

Most digital sales and marketing jobs are based locally in China and Chinese professionals fill more than 90% of roles. Local insight and language skills are critical for roles at every level, although companies are becoming more open-minded about hiring international candidates for positions that require specialist knowledge, for example, big data and user experience.  Some consumer brands are using the country as a base for Asia-Pacific regional hubs while Chinese sales and marketing professionals are increasingly being recruited into regional senior leadership roles.

Salary & compensation trends

Salaries for digital sales and marketing professionals are likely to rise significantly in 2017, compared with traditional sales and marketing. Those who move jobs are likely to secure pay rises in the region of 15-25%

Industrial

Commentary on Sales & Marketing (Industrial) Roles and Remuneration in China for 2017

Hiring trends

Like their peers in other functions, sales and marketing professionals within industry are feeling the effects of China’s economic slowdown. Companies in heavily industrial sub-sectors, such as machinery and electronics, are not expected to grow significantly in 2017 and they are reining in their sales and marketing activities as a result.Budgets are being squeezed and employers are cautious about hiring, often drawing out the interview process while they reflect on what their business actually needs.

Having said that, companies continue to recognise the importance of business development and continue to invest in certain sales and marketing activities. Rather than seeking out opportunities with multinationals, sales and marketing professionals who want a new role may be better off targeting local companies that are developing and improving new technologies and products.

Talent supply

Industrial employers are mainly looking for Chinese sales and marketing professionals, who are fluent in both English and Mandarin and have a good awareness of both Western and Chinese cultures. They also favour individuals who have experience of working or studying overseas. An MBA is a further advantage.

There is an increasing trend for Chinese sales and marketing talent to be promoted into global or regional management roles. Often this will require a jobseeker to relocate to Europe, Singapore or the US.

Salary & compensation trends

Salaries for sales and marketing roles in the industry sector vary widely. Candidates in search of a bigger pay packet or bonus need to have a high standard of education, a good work ethic and be able to work under pressure. Those who want to thrive in more sophisticated business environments also need to be able to demonstrate sound strategic thinking and a commercial mind-set with regards to business development.

Salaries for sales and marketing professionals who move roles within industry are likely to increase by 15% in 2017.