Now Hiring - Education Strategic Account Associate in San Diego, CA

People Passion Purpose
Everything School Specialty offers is designed for one purpose – to help students succeed. We believe every student can flourish in an environment where they feel safe and inspired to explore and grow.

We’re determined to positively impact the future, one child at a time. We need to talk if you share our passion:

Transforming more than classrooms.®

Benefits
School Specialty offers Medical, Dental, & Vision plans (Effective Day 1), Wellness programs, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, 401 (k), PTO, Promise Hours dedicated to volunteering, Education Reimbursement, Paid Holidays, Fall & Winter Flexible Hours, Employee Discounts and much more!

Strategic Account Relationship Manager
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 position is remote.

The hourly range for this role is $20-$25 per hour.

Summary of Primary Responsibilities

• 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 analyze 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.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to resolve escalated issues quickly and effectively, improving both loyalty and sales.
• Supports the successful execution of service-to-sales (“Team Sell”) strategy and assures 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 OneForce/SalesForce.com to manage time and resources to provide updated information, competitive intelligence, and market trends with our customers
• Drives and creates a positive, collaborative team selling environment by developing a deep customer understanding of needs and leveraging internal departments to maximize revenue opportunities.
• Works with aligned sales team including Strategic Account Managers, Strategic Account Reps, Category Sales Managers and Vendors.
• Ability to overcome objections and effectively deal with customer rejection.
• Responsible for responding to customer inquiries in a timely manner and following up on all sales leads.
• Drives continued growth by moving customers to our online order-entry platform.

• Work directly with customer to assess, describe solutions, define products and create quotes.
• Responsible for input to sales, profit forecasting overall sales, marketing plans, self-study of products and applications
• Attendance required at sales meetings as well as National and Regional conferences and trade shows
• Conducts Business Reviews as required
• Services all customers, internal and external, in a professional manner.
• Support and follow all company safety policies and procedures

Minimum Experience Requirements

• 2 + years of sales experience (Inside/Field sales preferred). Complexity of Sales
  • Territory Planning and Strategizing
  • Pipeline Management
  • Prior experience selling multiple product lines
  • Strategically and effectively navigate large, complex sales
  • Ability to work within Team Sell, collaborative selling environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in business related field preferred; years of relevant experience considered in lieu of degree.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• 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.

Disclaimers
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

• School Specialty, LLC. is a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants are subject to a drug screen and background check as a condition of employment.
• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
• If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [please apply online] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.