What It’s Like Working as a Technical Sales Rep in Australia
A Technical Sales Engineer is a professional that focuses on the sale and commercialization of specialized technology and electrical products. They usually work by industrial manufacturers of industrial goods and services and other forms of applied technologies. Sales Engineers may also work independently using their knowledge of technology and engineering to give advice to businesses and individual customers looking to purchase specialized machinery.
All professionals working in the field of sales can be classified B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-customer). B2B sell to corporations and other small businesses while B2C deal with the final consumer. Technical sales engineer commonly sell to a B2B audience.
Unlike a regular salesperson, the technical salesperson must be equipped with the industrial knowledge to successfully sell specialized machinery and technology. They need to have an advanced understanding of the usage, specifications and special requirements of the products they sell.
Job Description (Duties & Responsibilities)
- organise lists of potential client businesses
- recommend goods and services to them based on the evaluation of customer’s needs
- visit regular and prospective client businesses to establish and act on selling opportunities
- gather and update knowledge of employers’ and competitors’ goods and services, and market conditions
- monitor customers’ changing needs and competitor activity, and reporting these developments to sales management
- negotiate prices and credit terms, and completing contracts and recording orders
- arrange delivery of goods, installation of equipment and the provision of services
- follow up with clients to ensure satisfaction with goods and services purchased, and provide after-sales support when necessary
- prepare sales reports and maintaining and submitting records of business expenses incurred
Education and Training Requirements
A technical sales representative is required to have at least 5 years of solid work experience, preferably in relevant industry. Some employers desire relevant vendor certification.
Location and Industries
Many technical sales representatives work in most regions of Australia and the majority of them are employed in manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade.
Outlook
Job growth for a technical sales representative is stable and expected to stay the same for the next five years.
As per Job Outlook website, there will be an approximately 33,800 technical sales representatives by 2023 and projected 18,000 job openings for the next 5 years (or 3,600 vacancies per year).
Vacancies can come from new jobs and turnover or workers resigning.
What Employers are Looking For
Aside from the required work skills, employers also put a premium to a technical sales representative that has a strong sense of responsibility. They also look for candidates that are flexible, have strong professional ethics, trustworthy and have excellent negotiation skills.
Are you the right candidate? Send your updated resume to recruitment@konnecting.com.