Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
How AI Impacts Each Task
20 tasks analyzed
Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.
Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates.
Train customers' employees to operate and maintain new equipment.
Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support.
Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.
Prepare sales contracts and order forms.
Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.
Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs.
Negotiate details of contracts and payments.
Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales.
Forward orders to manufacturers.
Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising.
Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports.
Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising.
Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary.
Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment.
Buy products from manufacturers or brokerage firms and distribute them to wholesale and retail clients.
Obtain credit information about prospective customers.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders. | 45.25Observed | 33.1% | 15% | |
| Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests. | 63.3Observed | 40.3% | 10% | |
| Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms. | 53.95Observed | 36.6% | 10% | |
| Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates. | 47.52Observed | 68.2% | 5% | |
| Train customers' employees to operate and maintain new equipment. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 2% | |
| Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support. | 28.67Observed | 26.5% | 8% | |
| Provide customers with product samples and catalogs. | 59.72Observed | 56.9% | 3% | |
| Prepare sales contracts and order forms. | 48.85Observed | 68.7% | 5% | |
| Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences. | 46.55Observed | 33.6% | 8% | |
| Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Negotiate details of contracts and payments. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales. | 51.8Observed | 47.7% | 4% | |
| Forward orders to manufacturers. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% | |
| Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports. | 43.88Observed | 66.8% | 5% | |
| Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising. | 53.25Observed | 30.3% | 3% | |
| Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% | |
| Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 2% | |
| Buy products from manufacturers or brokerage firms and distribute them to wholesale and retail clients. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 2% | |
| Obtain credit information about prospective customers. | 44.45Observed | 67.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsAdvertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Advertising Sales Agents
31%Median salary: $61,460
Higher risk than 48% of other occupations
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
38%Higher risk than 75% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
36%Median salary: $76,650
Higher risk than 69% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Private Detectives and Investigators
33%Median salary: $52,370
Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
33%Median salary: $66,700
Higher risk than 55% of other occupations
Real Estate Brokers
33%Median salary: $72,280
Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Real Estate Sales Agents
31%Median salary: $56,320
Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Retail Salespersons
39%Median salary: $34,580
Higher risk than 79% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
30%Median salary: $100,070
Higher risk than 41% of other occupations
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
29%Higher risk than 35% of other occupations
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
AI Real Estate Platforms Threaten Traditional Agent Commissions
A retiree successfully bypassed traditional real estate agents to sell her condo using an automated platform, eliminating standard commission fees. This signals a direct threat to the traditional broker business model.
Gen AI recommendation engines threaten traditional B2B sales relationship jobs
AI-driven recommendation engines are replacing traditional relationship-based sales channels in the B2B sector. Sales professionals must adapt as corporate buyers increasingly rely on algorithms rather than human reps to make purchasing decisions.
Here’s How to Use an AI Agent to Build a Cold Outreach Campaign
Sales professionals can now deploy autonomous AI agents to handle the entire lifecycle of cold outreach. This shifts the human role from drafting emails to managing and reviewing AI-generated campaign strategies.
How B2B sales roles must adapt to AI-driven corporate purchasing
Sales professionals must fundamentally shift their strategies as corporate buyers increasingly rely on AI agents to evaluate vendors and make procurement decisions. Traditional relationship-building is being replaced by the need to optimize pitches for algorithmic gatekeepers.
Salesforce Profits Rise as AI 'Agentforce' Gains Corporate Traction
Strong first-quarter earnings at Salesforce are being driven by the adoption of Agentforce, its autonomous AI agent platform. The financial success indicates companies are actively investing in AI to handle routine customer service and sales tasks.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis