When my brother & I worked as roll off drivers for Waste Management & people would ask him what he did for a living, he would tell them he was a Sanitation Engineer.
Well, mechanics to me are mechanics, but somewhere they came up with "technicians" and it has stuck ! Also dispatchers are now called "driver managers" and that has stuck. I always have identified myself as a "truck driving fool" with a slight laugh. My mindset is not just anyone can do this. I've NEVER been ashamed to tell anyone I'm a truck driver. East coast, west coast, mountains, desert, dry van, reefer, road construction, flatbed, dirt, Hunts point, queens, lumping loads, 3 am get up, millions of road miles, CDL instructor, The fun never ends !
I joke around and say I’m a professional waiter. Seems like I wait my fair share, this gig I’m at now pays us for it though. $25.00 an hour after two hours. Not too bad. If you want a fancier title other than truck driver, try: “Freight relocation specialist” There are some drivers you might as well call them Lumpers. There’s a few different companies come to mind on that one.
The last couple of weeks this truck driver has been a framer, electrician, and plumber, some misc fiberglass repairs on a boat in the marina.
As a former salesman, your friend's term doesn't sound more professional. I risk running someone I don't know down here. Not exactly my intention. A salesman is a salesman is a ##### for money/the close. A sales consultant is a salesman who feels self-conscious.