Occupational Profiles

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
 

• Maintain and grow sales relationships with existing clients
• Identify and solicit potential clients
• Assess clients' needs, recommend or assist in the selection of appropriate goods or services, and negotiate prices or other sales terms
• Provide input into product design where goods or services must be tailored to suit clients' needs
• Develop sales presentations, proposals, or other materials to illustrate benefits from use of good or service
• Estimate costs of installing and maintaining equipment or service
• Prepare and administer sales contracts and maintain customer records
• Consult with clients after sale to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support
• Troubleshoot technical problems related to equipment
• Assess market conditions and competitors' activities and develop an awareness of emerging markets and trends
• Develop and maintain technical product or service knowledge to explain features to clients and answer questions about goods or services
• May offer training in the operation and maintenance of equipment
• Develop, implement and report on sales strategies to achieve business goals
• May supervise the activities of other technical staff and sales specialists.
• Technical sales specialists usually specialize in a particular line of goods or services.

• 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.
• A driver's licence and a good driving record may be required.