Regional Sales Manager – K-12 (A+D/Architect & Design Partnerships) - German American Chambers of Commerce
Portland, ME
About the Job
Position: Regional Sales Manager, K-12 Furniture & Equipment, A+D Partnerships
Location: Remote, preferably on the East Coast. Ideally near a major airport. Willingness to travel 50-80%
Our client is a well-established US subsidiary of a German-based third generation family business with 80+ years of experience in innovative, high-quality furnishings. They primarily specialize in sustainable furniture solutions tailored for the educational sector, while also encompassing a diverse portfolio of furniture, technology offerings, and services for all potential clients. With 820 employees worldwide, our clients 'Made in Germany' products and services evolve with the educational landscape, fostering inspirational learning environments that promote productivity and relaxation.
Their Sales Manager will lead customer acquisition and relationship management, with a specific focus on building relationships with architects and designers to drive product specifications, while also supporting dealer and project acquisition efforts in the educational and office environments. Reporting directly to the President USA, this role involves collaborating with architects, designers, and educational institutions to create tailored design solutions aligned with pedagogical concepts. The Sales Manager leads bidding negotiations, manages order processing, and ensures timely delivery, while also refining the US sales strategy to match market trends in collaboration with the German HQ. With our client you'll start your journey as an Area Sales Manager, with the opportunity to develop into a National Sales Manager role.
As the Sales Manager with our client, your role encompasses:
- Develop and implement sales strategies to drive market penetration, focusing on dealer networks, architects, designers, and educational institutions. Align efforts with company-wide goals and collaborate with German HQ to refine the approach.
- Identify new business opportunities, nurture existing client relationships, and proactively manage the sales process from prospecting through to closing deals. Drive product specifications through collaboration with architects and designers.
- Work closely with A&D representatives to secure project specifications early in the design process, ensuring alignment with sales targets. Support dealers in joint efforts to maximize territory sales and build long-term partnerships.
- Manage bidding, negotiations, and order processing to ensure timely and accurate delivery of products. Coordinate with internal teams, including construction and engineering, to meet technical requirements for client proposals.
- Actively participate in trade shows, forums, and design events to promote the client company and expand the company's presence in the market. Train architects, designers, and dealers on the client's solutions, particularly around ergonomic, educational furniture design.
- Stay attuned to market dynamics, emerging trends, and customer preferences. Use research and insights to inform sales strategies and contribute to product development.
What Our Client Is Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in business or related field.
- Proven sales experience, ideally within the furniture industry or educational sector.
- Experience working with architects and designers to drive project specifications.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and project management skills.
- Proficiency in MS-Office and SAP; familiarity with CRM systems.
- Willingness to travel (50-80%).