Key Account Executive

At Staples, our exceptional sales and support teams help businesses of all sizes meet their unique needs. We are dedicated to understanding our customers better and utilize top-tier sales tools and technology to provide customized solutions. Our culture emphasizes continuous learning and skill development, creating lucrative opportunities for career growth, especially in sales.

As a Key Account Executive focused on Government and Education (SLED), you'll have the opportunity to drive substantial growth and profitability by engaging with large-scale clients. Your expertise will foster strong relationships and deliver tailored solutions that make a lasting impact. This strategic selling role involves connecting with clients remotely via phone, video, and in-person meetings using digital tools. Join a collaborative team committed to your professional development and success.

Work Location: This is a remote position supporting customers in North Carolina and South Carolina. While primarily working from home, you should reside in or near this region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive account growth and profitability by securing new and renewal commitments from large customers.
• Map and execute strategies for account growth using prescribed sales tools to prioritize customer engagement activities.
• Collaborate with Outside Developers and category experts to deepen account penetration at both the site and end-user levels.
• Lead the Key Account selling team, including site development, Customer Success Managers (CSM), and sales engineers to achieve account growth objectives.
• Engage with Economic and Technical Buying Influences to maximize sales across all product categories.
• Partner with Revenue Management to make informed pricing decisions and negotiate contracts effectively.
• Analyze customer data and industry trends to develop tailored solutions aligned with customer goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior executives within customer organizations.
• Collaborate with CSM for customer maintenance requests to ensure optimal experiences.
• Incorporate customer feedback into the sales strategy and share insights with leadership and support teams.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Strong motivation to succeed, with a proactive approach to overcoming challenges.
• Resilience with a positive view of rejection as a growth opportunity.
• Confidence in engaging with senior-level clients.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills for both virtual and in-person interactions.
• Advanced consultative, solutions selling, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to create strategic customer growth plans in collaboration with product category sales teams.
• Strong knowledge of business fundamentals, financials, operations, and technology.
• Proven experience in managing programs or business development initiatives.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and adapt to change.
• Proficient in analyzing customer data and industry trends to adapt solutions accordingly.

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of 4+ years of successful sales experience with government and education clients.
• Experience managing business development programs.
• Strong knowledge of office supplies, facility and breakroom products, technology, business furniture, and print promotional products.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other essential software tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience with government and education cooperatives.
• Cross-functional experience in a large organization.
• Prior account management and prospecting experience with Fortune 1000 companies.
• Experience in B2B sales processes.
• Responsibility for retaining and growing key accounts.
• Experience managing complex deals involving multiple stakeholders.

We Offer:

• An inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups.
• Flexible PTO (22 days) and a comprehensive holiday schedule (7 observed paid holidays).
• Discounts on online and retail purchases, company-matched 401(k), health and wellness programs, and more!
• Competitive base salary plus incentive opportunities.

At Staples, we value inclusion as an essential part of our culture, ensuring all employees feel valued and empowered to contribute their best. We are committed to building a diverse workplace that fosters innovative thinking, which allows us to exceed our customers' expectations. Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of their background.