Strategic Sales Account Associate (Remote - Central WI Territory)

As a member of the strategic territory team, the Strategic Account Associate (SAA) assists in building partnerships across all district departments and uncovering new opportunities for team members (CSM, SME’s, Inside Sales, etc.). Collaborates with the Strategic Account Manager to meet or exceed sales objectives for strategic accounts in the territory, focusing on achieving balanced growth across all strategic product categories within School Specialty’s value proposition. The role involves consultative selling to execute strategy and increase market penetration.

Responsibilities

• Implement the sales plan for an assigned set of strategic customers in a defined territory.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of a Strategic Account Plan for each account, based on purchasing behaviors, competitive dynamics, district priorities, legislative impact, and budgetary factors.
• Develop objectives for each Strategic Product Category within the Company’s value proposition, considering current business levels and estimated opportunity based on spend-per-student analysis.
• Understand and promote School Specialty’s value proposition through insight, design, and implementation of plans that provide value to the customer and drive sales.
• Utilize the breadth of SSL’s product offerings to grow and penetrate accounts, collaborating with SSL Category Specialists and vendor representatives.
• Participate in designing and implementing business strategies to address customer pain points and grow accounts.
• Develop and maintain relationships with various levels of contacts within strategic accounts, from administrative staff to Superintendents and School Board members.
• Actively participate in a coordinated Team Sell strategy, engaging with Inside Sales Representatives, Strategic Account Sales Representatives, and Category Sales Specialists (e.g., Early Childhood, STEAM, Instruction & Intervention).
• Maximize effectiveness using tools and resources (Stratum & OneForce/Salesforce) to focus efforts on driving business and addressing white space opportunities.
• Manage travel & entertainment budgets and other business expenses (e.g., samples, trade show/conference costs) in alignment with corporate strategy and budget.
• Successfully complete ongoing proficiency and professional development training, including operational flow understanding through time spent in fulfillment centers and other departments.

Requirements

• 0-3 years of successful outside sales experience.
• Acceptable driving record, valid driver’s license, and insurance-compliant automobile.
• Junior College or college degree (Business, Marketing, or Education preferred).
• Ability to travel 50-80% of the time within the territory, including overnight travel.

Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with an emphasis on Excel.
• Proficiency in CRM (e.g., Salesforce.com).
• Strong sales process skills: time management, territory management, financial management, and probing/questioning skills.
• Ability to build networks, including social media.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage (effective day 1).
• Basic life insurance and disability coverage.
• Paid parental leave.
• Wellness programs.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401k retirement plan.
• Educational reimbursement.
• Paid holidays and unlimited paid time off.

Pay

Salary range of $60,000-$75,000 with a quarterly sales incentive plan.

Schedule

This is a work-from-home/field-based role supporting the Wisconsin territory. Qualified applicants will reside in the central WI area.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Frequently required to sit, hear, use hands to type data, use a personal computer, and telephone.
• Frequently operate a vehicle and occasionally operate business machines.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Mental demands include multitasking, decision-making, problem-solving, comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, and synthesizing data.