National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
6 - Sales and service occupations
62 - Retail sales supervisors and specialized sales occupations
622 - Technical sales specialists in wholesale trade and retail and wholesale buyers
6221 - Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade
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.
Illustrative example(s)
- aircraft sales representative
- communication equipment sales representative
- construction equipment sales representative
- electricity sales representative
- grain elevator district manager
- grain elevator operator
- heavy equipment sales representative
- industrial supplies sales representative
- medical instruments sales agent
- sales engineer, technical support
- software sales representative
- technical sales representative
- technical sales supervisor
- technical support specialist - wholesale trade
Exclusion(s)
- Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (0124)
- Retail salespersons (6421)
- Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical) (6411)
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 information
- 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.
6222 - Retail and wholesale buyers
Retail and wholesale buyers buy merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments and are usually responsible for the merchandising operations of retail or wholesale establishments. Retail and wholesale buyers who are supervisors and those who are assistants are included in this unit group.
Illustrative example(s)
- appliance buyer
- assistant buyer
- buyer - retail
- buyer - wholesale
- chief buyer
- clothing buyer
- food buyer
- merchandiser
- produce buyer
- taster and buyer, beverages
Exclusion(s)
- Purchasing agents and officers (1225)
Main duties
Retail and wholesale buyers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Purchase merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments
- Review requirements of establishment and determine quantity and type of merchandise to purchase
- Study market reports, trade periodicals and sales promotion materials and visit trade shows, showrooms, factories and product design events
- Select the merchandise which best fits the establishment's requirements
- Interview suppliers and negotiate prices, discounts, credit terms and transportation arrangements
- Oversee distribution of merchandise to outlets and maintain adequate stock levels
- Establish and maintain contact with suppliers
- May supervise the work of other retail buyers.
Retail and wholesale buyers may specialize in a particular merchandise line.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- A university degree or college diploma in business, marketing or a related program is usually required.
- Previous work experience in retail or wholesale establishments is usually required.
- Supervisors and senior buyers require experience in the occupation supervised or in a particular merchandise line.
Additional information
- Retail and wholesale buyers may specialize through experience or product-related training courses.
- Progression to management positions in retail trade, sales, marketing or advertising is possible with additional training or experience.
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