Technical Sales Specialists - Wholesale Trade

• 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.

Education

• A university degree or college diploma in a program related to the product or service is usually required.
• Extensive company training programs for technical sales specialists may be provided by employers.

Experience

• 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.