National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.1

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.

62 - Retail sales supervisors and specialized sales occupations

This major group comprises supervisory occupations in retail sales, and sales occupations requiring a related post-secondary degree or diploma, or specialized training courses and, in some cases, licensure. It includes retail sales supervisors, technical sales specialists in wholesale trade, retail and wholesale buyers, insurance agents and brokers, real estate agents and salespersons and financial sales representatives.

622 - Technical sales specialists in wholesale trade and retail and wholesale buyers

This minor group includes technical sales specialists in wholesale trade and retail and wholesale buyers. They are employed by establishments that produce and provide technical goods and services and retail and wholesale establishments; or they may be self-employed.

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
  • 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

  All examples

• Inclusion(s)

  • grain elevator operator
  • sales engineer

• Exclusion(s)

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

• Main duties

  Technical sales specialists perform 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
  • May offer training in the operation and maintenance of equipment
  • 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.
  • A driver's licence and a good driving record may be required

• 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
  • beverage taster and buyer
  • buyer - retail
  • buyer - wholesale
  • chief buyer
  • clothing buyer
  • food buyer
  • produce buyer

  All examples

• Inclusion(s)

  • merchandiser

• Exclusion(s)

  • Purchasing agents and officers (See 1225 Purchasing agents and officers)

• 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.