More information from O*NET OnLine:

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products - 41-4011.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

Inside Sales Representative
Marketing Representative

Sales Representative

SOC Occupation Groups

41-0000	Sales and Related Occupations
41-4000	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
41-4010	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
41-4011.00	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products

Related Occupations

11-2022.00	Sales Managers
11-3051.00	Industrial Production Managers
11-3061.00	Purchasing Managers
13-1022.00	Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
13-1023.00	Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
41-1012.00	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
41-3011.00	Advertising Sales Agents
41-4011.07	Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors
41-4012.00	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products Bright Outlook
41-9031.00	Sales Engineers

Tasks

Advise customers on product usage to improve production.
Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
Arrange for installation and testing of products or machinery.
Attend sales or trade meetings or read related publications to obtain information about market conditions, business trends, environmental regulations, or industry developments.
Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as selling strategies or marketing information.
Complete expense reports, sales reports, or other paperwork.
Compute customer's installation or production costs and estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment.
Consult with engineers regarding technical problems with products.
Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.
Demonstrate the operation or use of technical or scientific products.
Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.
Identify prospective customers, using business directories, leads from existing clients, participation in organizations, or trade show or conference attendance.
Inform customers about issues related to responsible use and disposal of products, such as waste reduction or product or byproduct recycling or disposal.
Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products.
Initiate sales campaigns to meet sales and production expectations.
Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.
Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications.
Present information to customers about the energy efficiency or environmental impact of scientific or technical products.
Provide customers with ongoing technical support.
Provide feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs.
Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
Select or assist customers in selecting products based on customer needs, product specifications, and applicable regulations.
Sell service contracts for technical or scientific products.
Sell technical and scientific products that are environmentally sound or designed for environmental remediation.
Stock or distribute resources, such as samples or promotional or educational materials.
Study documentation or other information for new scientific or technical products.
Verify accuracy of materials lists.
Verify customer credit ratings.
Verify that delivery schedules meet project deadlines.
Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
Visit establishments, such as pharmacies, to determine product sales.

Detailed Work Activities

Advise customers on the use of products or services.
Answer customer questions about goods or services.
Arrange delivery of goods or services.
Attend events to develop professional knowledge.
Contact current or potential customers to promote products or services.
Coordinate sales campaigns.
Deliver promotional presentations to current or prospective customers.
Demonstrate products to consumers.
Develop content for sales presentations or other materials.
Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel.
Distribute promotional literature or samples to customers.
Estimate costs or terms of sales.
Explain technical product or service information to customers.
Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
Identify potential customers.
Maintain records of customer accounts.
Maintain records of sales or other business transactions.
Monitor market conditions or trends.
Monitor sales activities.
Negotiate prices or other sales terms.
Prepare financial documents, reports, or budgets.
Prepare sales or other contracts.
Process sales or other transactions.
Recommend products or services to customers.
Sell products or services.
Share sales-related or market information with colleagues.
Stock products or parts.
Study product information to acquire professional knowledge.
Verify accuracy of records.
Verify customer credit information.