6221- Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade

Canada NOC: 
6221
Job Title: 

Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade

Job Description: 

Technical sales specialists, wholesale trade, sell a range of technical goods and services, such as scientific, agricultural and industrial products, electricity, telecommunications services and computer services, to governments and to commercial and industrial establishments in domestic and international localities. They are employed by establishments that produce or provide technical goods and services, such as pharmaceutical companies, industrial equipment manufacturing companies, grain elevators, computer services firms, engineering firms and hydroelectric companies, or they may be self-employed technical sales specialists/agents who contract their services to other companies. Technical sales specialists who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Main Duties: 

Technical sales specialists perform some or all of the following duties:


Promote sales to existing clients
Identify and solicit potential clients
Assess clients' needs and resources and recommend the appropriate goods or services
Provide input into product design where goods or services must be tailored to suit clients' needs
Develop reports and proposals as part of sales presentation to illustrate benefits from use of good or service
Estimate costs of installing and maintaining equipment or service
Prepare and administer sales contracts
Consult with clients after sale to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support
Troubleshoot technical problems related to equipment
May train customers' staff in the operation and maintenance of equipment
May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce
May supervise the activities of other technical staff and sales specialists.

Technical sales specialists usually specialize in a particular line of goods or services.

Employment Requirements: 

A university degree or college diploma in a program related to the product or service is usually required.
Experience in sales or in a technical occupation related to the product or service may be required.
Fluency in a specific foreign language, and/or foreign work or travel experience may be required for technical sales specialists seeking employment with companies that import or export technical goods or services.
Technical sales supervisors require experience as a technical sales specialist.

Additional Inormation: 

Extensive company training programs for technical sales specialists may be provided by employers.
Progression to sales management positions is possible with additional training or experience.

Classified Elsewhere: 

Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (0124)
Retail salespersons (6421)
Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical) (6411)

Source Of Info: 

National Occupation Classification, (2011)

Statistics Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada,

February 2012,

Catalogue no. 12-583-X