Will “Railroad Equipment and Supplies Sales Representative” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Compute customer's installation or production costs and estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment.

• Advise customers on product usage to improve production.

• Attend sales or trade meetings or read related publications to obtain information about market conditions, business trends, environmental regulations, or industry developments.

• Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.

• Present information to customers about the energy efficiency or environmental impact of scientific or technical products.

• Visit establishments, such as pharmacies, to determine product sales.

• Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.

• Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.

• Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications.

• Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.

• Study documentation or other information for new scientific or technical products.

• Initiate sales campaigns to meet sales and production expectations.

• Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products.

• Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.

• Demonstrate the operation or use of technical or scientific products.

• Provide feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs.

• Verify accuracy of materials lists.

• Inform customers about issues related to responsible use and disposal of products, such as waste reduction or product or byproduct recycling or disposal.

• Identify prospective customers, using business directories, leads from existing clients, participation in organizations, or trade show or conference attendance.

• Provide customers with ongoing technical support.

• Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.

• Sell service contracts for technical or scientific products.

• Verify that delivery schedules meet project deadlines.

• Select or assist customers in selecting products based on customer needs, product specifications, and applicable regulations.

• Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as selling strategies or marketing information.

• 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.

• Maintain customer records, using automated systems.

• Arrange for installation and testing of products or machinery.

• Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.

• Verify customer credit ratings.

• Consult with engineers regarding technical problems with products.

• Complete expense reports, sales reports, or other paperwork.