Combining sales experience with a degree in biochemistry or engineering, biochemical product specialists sell equipment, services and products to clients. Using their knowledge of biochemistry, these professionals might offer counsel, provide ongoing support, and demonstrate various products to customers. They are required to be experts on the products they sell.
Essential Information
Biochemical product specialists, also known as biochemical sales engineers, are salespeople with technical training and knowledge of biochemical products. These specialists often provide support to sales representatives and consult with potential buyers to determine how a product would fit their needs.
| Required Education | A bachelor's degree in engineering or a similar discipline |
| Projected Job Growth* | 6% from 2019 - 2029 (sales engineers) |
| Median Salary (2019)* | $103,900 (sales engineers) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Description
Biochemical product specialists generally have sales experience and a degree in biochemistry. These specialists must have an in-depth knowledge of the products they are selling; this could include testing kits or participating in research opportunities. Using their technical understanding of biochemistry, specialists can work with clients to create a particular complement of products and services, such as a particular combination of biochemical assays for a research lab.
Biochemical product specialists can also act as advisors to their customers, providing additional product support once an item has been sold.
Job Duties
Biochemical product specialists give detailed presentations on their products to potential buyers. Once these potential customers have an understanding of the products, the product specialist will discuss specific needs with them and attempt to create a combination of products that meets those needs. They may need to forward proposals to company managers for approval and coordinate production efforts.
Once sales have been made, the biochemical product specialist may need to provide continued support to the buyer by troubleshooting any problems that arise and informing them of any product upgrades.
Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of sales engineers is projected to increase 6% from 2019-2029, which is on par with the average for all occupations (www.bls.gov). Growth is due to an increase in demand for technical products. In terms of the number of new jobs, employment is predicted to rise from 64,500 to 68,600 during this time period; this is an increase of 4,100 sales engineer jobs across all industries. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $103,900 for sales engineers as of May 2019. Those with strong technical knowledge of the products they sell should have the best prospects.
A biochemical product specialist requires a technical knowledge of the field in order to help clients select appropriate products. These specialists often need to recommend how certain products can be combined or complemented for maximum efficiency, and they may also provide necessary troubleshooting services and upgrades when needed. The BLS predicts that approximately 4,100 new sales engineering jobs will be created across the country between 2019-29.
