National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

6 - Sales and service occupations

This category contains retail and wholesale sales occupations and customer and personal service occupations related to a wide range of industries, such as accommodation and food services, travel, tourism and cleaning services.

Sales and service occupations can be linked, for the most part, to formal post-secondary or occupation-specific training programs. Others are characterized by periods of formal on-the-job training. Apprenticeship training is available for some specialized service occupations. Progression from sales and service occupations to positions of increased responsibility, or supervision, usually requires occupational experience and may require completion of related training programs.

64 - Sales representatives and salespersons - wholesale and retail trade

This major group comprises sales occupations requiring secondary school, or more, and experience related to the product or service, or some combination of education, specific courses, product knowledge and demonstrated sales ability. It includes sales and account representatives in wholesale trade (non-technical) and retail salespersons.

641 - Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)

This minor group includes non-technical sales and account representatives in wholesale trade, and auctioneers. They are employed by petroleum companies, food, beverage and tobacco producers, clothing manufacturers, motor vehicles and parts manufacturers, hotels, business services firms, and transportation companies, and other establishments that produce and provide goods and services.

6411 - Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)

Sales representatives in wholesale trade (non-technical), sell non-technical goods and services to retail, wholesale, commercial, industrial, professional and other clients domestically and internationally. They are employed by establishments that produce or provide goods and services such as petroleum companies, food, beverage and tobacco producers, clothing manufacturers, motor vehicles and parts manufacturers, hotels, business services firms, and transportation companies. Auctioneers are included in this unit group. Sales representatives in wholesale trade who are supervisors are also included in this unit group.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • advertising time sales representative
  • food products sales representative
  • freight sales agent
  • graphic design sales representative
  • hotel accommodations sales executive
  • liquor sales representative
  • magazine sales representative
  • oil distributor
  • security services sales consultant
  • transfer company agent
  • wholesale trade representatives supervisor

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Advertising, marketing and public relations managers (See 0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers)
  • Retail salespersons (See 6421 Retail salespersons)
  • Royalties managers (See 0512 Managers - publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts)
  • Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade (See 6221 Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Promote sales to existing clients
  • Identify and solicit potential clients
  • Provide clients with presentations on the benefits and uses of goods or services
  • Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties and delivery dates
  • Prepare or oversee preparation of sales or other contracts
  • Consult with clients after sale or signed contracts to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support
  • Review and adapt to information regarding product innovations, competitors and market conditions
  • Represent companies that export and import products or services to and from foreign countries
  • May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce
  • May supervise the activities of other sales representatives.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • A university degree or completion of a college or other program may be required.
  • Experience in sales or in an occupation related to the product or service is usually required.
  • Fluency in a foreign language and/or foreign country work or travel experience may be required for sales representatives seeking employment with companies that import or export goods or services.
  • Supervisors and senior sales representatives require experience.
  • Voluntary certification is available from the Canadian Professional Sales Association.

• Additional information

  • Progression to sales management positions is possible with additional training or experience.