Account Consultant

Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in store, online or on mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, in categories such as technology, facilities and breakroom, furniture, safety, and medical, as well as Copy & Print and Staples® EasyTechsm services.

The Account Consultant is responsible for driving incremental sales within an existing customer base of small and mid-size accounts. The position will work towards achieving defined sales growth goals by focusing on initiating relationships with multi-level decision-makers through marketing mailer campaigns, in-person contacts, and presentations. A typical work week will consist of office and field days, primarily face-to-face contact with your accounts, as well as coordinating and communicating with internal sales and operations teams to support and sell to your accounts. * Develop strong partnerships with existing customers through regularly scheduled contact, primarily face-to-face, to drive sales and to ensure long-term relationships and customer retention * Works with other team members (IAC/Specialists) to facilitate the transition of opportunities, customer knowledge, and develop and maintain a strategic plan to grow sales and margin * Use consultative selling skills to identify customer needs and develop a value added proposition, proposal & pricing development * Responsible for participating in all Company objectives and Team activities (including regular Team meetings and sales reporting)

* Position will drive incremental, profitable sales into existing accounts from new categories and from adjusting the current program to meet the customers current needs * Position will also help to strengthen and secure the account’s relationship with Staples Advantage * Position will work alongside Inside Account Consultants, Category Specialists, and Pricing and Bid & Quote team to team sell into existing accounts in your book of business * Face to face interaction with customers who’s roles range from Office Mangers to CFOs * Influences pricing decisions on the spot in order to cultivate a seamless customer experience and to align with strategically growing profitable accounts * Responsible for setting your schedule and maintaining calendar of appointments with customers * Oversee pricing negotiations for specific sales opportunities by coordinating the bid and quote process and make discretionary pricing decisions based on their knowledge of the account and assessment of future spend potential * Accountable for targeting which customers to pursue and when; they will be given a list of accounts and will prioritize based on their own knowledge and understanding of the business * Accountable for meeting quarterly sales growth and margin goals * Responsible for setting and attending appointments with 50 different customers per month * Accountable for executing two wins per week

**Basic:** * High school diploma or GED * 1 - 3 years successful sales experience * Minimum 1 year of Staples Contract sales experience or similar industry sales experience * Proven self-starter with energy and motivation to uncover, develop and close sales * Demonstrated high degree of business acumen * Must be results oriented and driven by both financial and career opportunities * Demonstrated strong time management skills * Strong relationship building skills * Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills * Proficient in PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook **Preferred:** * College degree