After Google's attempt to buy daily-deal website Groupon failed a few months ago, the search giant has decided to set up its own online coupon service, and is "actively hiring across sales and engineering," according to spokesperson Nate Tyler.
Google today confirmed reports that it is going ahead with Google Offers, a Groupon clone that will offer deals for local salons, restaurants and other businesses, where consumers can "get in" on the deal by buying it in advance and using it later.
Mashable first reported the news yesterday.
The launch of Google Offers could mean plenty of sales jobs, since the daily-deal space runs almost entirely on a large sales force, which talks to businesses, sets pricing strategies and brokers deals for the discounts. Groupon itself is a sales organization at heart, with half of its 2,600 employees working in sales at the company.
A search of the company's online job postings reveals numerous positions in Mountain View, Ca. that seem to match postings at Groupon for account executives.
The positions, called "Local Market Category Manager, New Business," are responsible for managing "a portfolio of local markets," determine "placement schedules, pricing, promotion length, and overall planning," and be responsible for "acquiring new partners."
According to Groupon's careers site, account executives "prospect, consult with, and close local merchants," and "identify new and creative businesses."
Google has already said that the number of job postings on its careers website does not indicate how many jobs are actually available, as one posting could mean a need for multiple employees. Watch this space.
Write to Shareen Pathak
