[Hiring] Furniture Account Consultant @Staples Business

Role Description

The Furniture Account Consultant plays a pivotal role in driving strategic growth within the Staples Service and Solutions Organization. Partnering with our KAE’s and Generalist Sellers, to develop furniture programs across all verticals and segments. The FAC serves as the furniture expert, guiding the furniture solution for all sold furniture programs, which include:

• Customer standards programs
• Single project events
• Strategic holistic furniture programs created for each specific client

This role requires customer outreach/engagement to drive transactional and programmatic furniture sales. The FAC must be well versed in Staples Furniture value proposition and strategic partner initiatives, and able to deliver solutions that meet customer requirements for budget, function, and timeline—ensuring a seamless and impactful customer experience.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner with KAEs and Generalist sellers to grow revenue and margin while maintaining a customer-centric focus.
• Serve as primary point of contact for all furniture programs and opportunities for a variety of clients ranging from commercial, healthcare, public sector, and K-12/Higher Ed.
• Utilize selling tools such as GPO’s, State and local contracts, and manufacturer-driven purchasing agreements.
• Effectively manage a sales funnel and pipeline to meet or exceed established KPIs.
• Partner with generalists to build and execute on transactional furniture strategy for targeted accounts.
• Serve as furniture expert, presenting furniture insights/trends, best practices, and solutions on generalist team calls and presentations to clients.
• Responsible for executing sales campaigns and sales initiatives.
• Develop solutions for customers, including product selection and specification by collaborating with our design team.
• Research product solutions, delivery options, and sourcing conditions.
• Pricing and product proposals to include identifying alternative products when applicable and necessary.
• Complete regular training on products, vertical market solutions, and sales tactics to maintain expert status.
• Generate and revise quotes and present to the customers in conjunction with the sellers on shared accounts.
• Create standards programs, including both transactional contracts, standards programs, and stand-alone project solutions.
• RFP and bid pricing in support of sellers and Staples held contracts.

Qualifications

• Preferred Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.
• 4+ years related work experience.
• Proven self-starter with energy and motivation to uncover, develop, and close sales.
• Ability to work independently with nominal supervision.
• Ability to sell company values and services, in addition to program features and benefits via phone and internet.
• Demonstrate strong time management skills with a high degree of understanding prioritization.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills while maintaining a professional appearance.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to interact across different departments within Staples Furniture as well as with clients.
• Context-switching expert: ability to balance multiple concurrent responsibilities of varying priorities.
• Problem-solving skills with a customer-focused mentality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Furniture industry/product knowledge – ability to anticipate competitive positioning and respond accordingly.
• Knowledge of current industry trends to recommend relevant and leading-edge solutions to customers.
• Strong computer experience in MS Office Platforms, AS400, and furniture quoting software; Salesforce.com is a critical experience requirement.

Benefits

• The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting.
• The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity.
• This role may be eligible for bonuses or other forms of variable compensation.

Company Description

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer who values the diversity of our people, products, and services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.