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Sales Representative (Wholesale, Nontechnical): Occupations in Alberta - alis
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Occupations in Alberta

Sales Representative (Wholesale, Nontechnical)

Wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives sell their organizations’ nontechnical goods and services to retail, commercial, industrial, and professional clients.

Contents View Full Profile
Also Known As

Account Manager, Broker, Manufacturer’s Sales Representative, Sales Broker, Salesperson

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

  • 2006 NOC: Sales Representatives, Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical) (6411) 
  • 2006 NOC-S: Sales Representatives Wholesale Trade (NonTechnical) (G111) 
  • 2011 NOC: Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical) (6411) 
  • 2016 NOC: Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical) (6411) 
Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical)

2006 NOC: 6411

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest in persuading to promote sales to existing clients; in providing clients with presentations on the benefits and uses of goods and services; and in representing companies that export and import products or services to and from foreign countries

METHODICAL

Interest in compiling information to identify and solicit potential clients

directive

Interest in overseeing the preparation of sales and other contracts; may supervise the activities of other sales representatives

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2022

The duties of wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives, or more simply sales reps, vary depending on the types of goods and services they sell. Sales reps may work for:

  • Food and beverage producers, selling foods to grocery stores and restaurants, and negotiating with retail merchants to improve product exposure such as by improving shelf position or increasing advertising
  • Book and magazine publishers, promoting textbook sales to schools, trade paperback sales to retail bookstores, or magazines to newsstands, hotels, bookstores, and libraries
  • Transportation companies, selling freight and shipping services to manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors
  • Manufacturers, selling locally manufactured or assembled products

In general, sales reps:

  • Learn what client organizations need and stress how the product lines they sell can help
  • Identify possible new clients using resources such as business directories or social networking websites, following up leads from existing clients, meeting people through volunteer organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences
  • Approach potential new clients and present the benefits and uses of their product lines
  • Telephone or personally visit client organizations on a regular or periodic basis
  • Estimate or quote prices, credit terms, warranties, and delivery dates, and prepare sales proposals
  • Prepare sales contracts and reports, process orders, and make delivery arrangements
  • Consult with clients after a sale to resolve any problems and provide ongoing support
  • Keep up with information about product innovations, competitors, and market conditions, and adjust sales strategies accordingly
  • Keep track of customer information and contacts on a tracking system
  • Prepare sales projection figures for the coming year
  • Work with external and internal customers (departments within the company)
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

Wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives often work long or irregular hours. They may spend portions of each day travelling. They may be away from home for days at a time. They may have to carry bulky samples or heavy bundles of product catalogues. Sales reps may set up home offices and work remotely.

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives need:

  • Self-confidence and self-motivation
  • Listening and presentation skills
  • Perseverance and resilience
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • An even temperament
  • Stress-management skills
  • Time-management, communication, and problem-solving skills
  • The ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • The ability to serve both company and client needs
  • Computer literacy

They should enjoy meeting new people and selling goods or services. They should like identifying and approaching potential customers and building relationships. They should enjoy building agreement and overseeing the preparation of sales contracts.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

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

2016 NOC: 6411

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 99 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Aug 28, 2022 and Sep 29, 2023.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Identify and solicit potential clients
Construction Specialization: Client focus
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication
Attention to detail
Construction Specialization: Organized
Tasks: Provide customer service
Tasks: Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties and delivery dates
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills
Tasks: Provide clients with presentations on the benefits and uses of goods or services
Financial benefits: Commission
Tasks: Identify and solicit potential clients 79
Construction Specialization: Client focus 63
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication 59
Attention to detail 58
Construction Specialization: Organized 58
Tasks: Provide customer service 50
Tasks: Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties and delivery dates 50
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills 49
Tasks: Provide clients with presentations on the benefits and uses of goods or services 49
Financial benefits: Commission 47
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Minimum Education High school diploma

The minimum education requirement for wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives (sales reps) is a high school diploma. However, many employers prefer to hire people with related experience or a business-related post-secondary diploma or degree. Basic computer skills and a valid driver’s license are definite assets.

Many large organizations have some form of training program for newly hired sales reps. They may train new employees by:

  • Rotating them through various positions to give them an understanding of the business and its products
  • Offering in-house classroom training followed by on-the-job training supervised by a sales manager
  • Having them accompany experienced sales reps until they are familiar with the company’s products and clients
  • Sending them to sales courses offered by industry or professional associations

Sales reps must keep up with new products, services, and sales methods. They must stay current with technological and other changes affecting their customers’ companies.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Reeves College - Calgary City Centre
Reeves College - Calgary North
Reeves College - Edmonton
Reeves College - Lethbridge
Reeves College - Lloydminster

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2022
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives (sales reps) work for companies such as:

  • Food and beverage producers
  • Manufacturers
  • Hotels
  • Petroleum companies
  • Business services firms
  • Transportation companies
  • Media and advertising companies
  • Agricultural or chemical companies
  • Automotive or tool companies

Advancement for experienced sales reps may involve transfers to better sales territories. This may mean territories that are larger, have greater sales opportunities, or have larger annual expenditures.

Successful sales reps may stay in sales or advance to sales management positions. They may also move into marketing or become independent manufacturers’ agents (sell the products of more than one manufacturer).

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 6411: Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical) occupational group, 79.0% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.
  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 6411: Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical) occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 388 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Earnings for wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives vary greatly. They are often directly related to job performance. Most employers offer a combination of salary plus commission or bonus. As a result, many individuals in this profession earn a commission-based income.

A commission is a percentage of the price of each article or service sold. Bonuses may be tied to individual performance, the performance of all sales reps in a group, or the company’s performance overall.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

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

2016 NOC: 6411
Average Wage
$36.79
Per Hour
Average Salary
$74,113.00
Per Year
Average Hours
39.5
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 6411 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $16.00 $40.87 $25.41 $23.08
Overall $19.00 $57.07 $36.79 $33.88
Top $21.79 $96.15 $52.07 $43.83

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Agriculture
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration
ALL INDUSTRIES $74,113
Agriculture $43,903
Construction $74,295
Manufacturing $68,846
Wholesale Trade $77,961
Retail Trade $62,513
Transportation and Warehousing $75,921
Information, Culture, Recreation $57,990
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing $77,623
Business, Building and Other Support Services $55,183
Accommodation & Food Services $46,553
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) $77,287
Public Administration $61,504

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
37%
37%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
27%
27%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
4%
4%
Vacancy Rate
1%
Related High School Subjects
  • Business, Administration, Finance and IT
    • Management and Marketing
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Personal and Food Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2022

Canadian Professional Sales Association website: www.cpsa.com

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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