A technical product specialist supports sales teams by demonstrating product features and benefits to potential customers. They analyze customer needs and recommend updates to products to better compete in the market. A bachelor’s degree in a technical field is required, and salaries range from $63,000 to $136,000 per year.
A technical product specialist is responsible for providing technical support to an organization’s sales process. Generally, sales reps responsible for generating new business will ask a technical product specialist to demonstrate the features and benefits of the product being sold. This specialist’s duties consist of supporting the sales team in positioning various products in a positive light and ultimately generating new business from potential customers.
The two main focuses of a Technical Product Specialist position include working with the sales team to understand and analyze the customer’s needs and create a course of action that meets the customer’s needs while meeting the employer’s objectives. Most technical product specialists are involved in the entire life cycle of a product, from its inception to its introduction to the market. Therefore, this individual must have good interpersonal skills, as it is often necessary for the specialist to work with a variety of people in various departments and organizations in order to satisfy the needs of the company and the client.
The technical duties of product specialists also include monitoring competitors’ product offerings in the market. By regularly studying the market, they will have a better understanding of how to position their products against those of the competition. Product experts are also instrumental in recommending updates and changes to a specific product in order to better compete in the market.
Individuals looking to become an expert in this field will need to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar technical field such as engineering or information systems. In addition to a formal education, people in this position need to be familiar with a variety of technologies related to software and hardware solutions. This expert should also be comfortable giving product introductions and answering any technical questions related to a specific product.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a technical product specialist is in the same class as a sales engineer, and their job titles and roles are considered interchangeable. In 2008, the middle 50% of Product Specialists earned between $63,000 and $108,000 per year, made up of salary and commissions. The most experienced technical product specialists typically earn upwards of $136,000 a year.
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