Strategic Account Relationship Manager; Remote- Jackson MI

STRATEGIC ACCOUNT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
- Are you ready to make a difference?

School Specialty is dedicated to transforming education for the better. Our success is fueled by a team of passionate innovators who are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of students. Are you ready to make an impact?

Drives revenue by increasing School Specialty market share and penetration within a geographic territory. Works primarily via the phone generating new business, as well as maintaining re-order business. Provides consultative and collaborative approach to understand customer environment and competitive forces to consistently execute on the strategy and exceed customer expectations while gaining market penetration.

This is a work-from-home role. Qualified Applicants must live within the designated territory.

• Effectively utilizes an inbound / outbound sales process including needs‑based consultative selling to aid customers in achieving business goals. Proactively interact with each account on a regular and ongoing basis, utilizing available communication channels.
• Research and analyse the strategic business direction and needs of each assigned account to determine how School Specialty can best align itself as a vendor partner for all current and future business needs of the account.
• Coordinate and lead customer sales activities, and communication between each account to achieve appropriate business solutions, respond to customers’ purchasing needs and coordinate sales.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve escalated issues quickly and effectively, improving both loyalty and sales.
• Support the successful execution of service‑to‑sales ("Team Sell") strategy and assure achievement of customer experience objectives.
• Function independently with limited supervision in performing all job duties and responsibilities including negotiating terms, pricing and contracts of each account.
• Effectively use One Force/ to manage time and resources to provide updated information, competitive intelligence, and market trends with our customers.
• Drive and create a positive, collaborative team selling environment by developing deep customer understanding, needs, and leveraging internal departments to maximize revenue opportunities.
• Work with aligned sales team including Strategic Account Managers, Strategic Account Reps, Category Sales Managers and Vendors.
• Overcome objections and effectively deal with customer rejection.
• Respond to customer inquiries in a timely manner and follow up all sales leads.
• Drive continued growth by moving customers to our online order‑entry platform.
• Work directly with customer to assess, describe solutions, define products and create quotes.
• Provide input to sales, profit forecasting overall sales, marketing plans, self‑study of products and applications.
• Attend sales meetings as well as national and regional conferences and trade shows.
• Conduct business reviews as required.
• Serve all customers, internal and external, in a professional manner.

• Operational knowledge of CRM and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Possess a high level of professionalism, ethics, confidence and a commitment to a team approach.
• Engaging and goal‑oriented personality.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to conduct presentations.

• 2+ years of sales experience (inside/field sales preferred).
• Territory planning and strategizing.
• Pipeline management.
• Prior experience selling multiple product lines.
• Strategic navigation of large, complex sales.
• Ability to work within team sell, collaborative selling environment.

• Bachelor's degree in a business‑related field preferred; years of relevant experience considered in lieu of degree.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental & Vision (effective day
1), basic life insurance, disability coverage, PAID parental leave, wellness programs, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, 401k, Educational Jerusalem Reimbursement, Paid…