Business Development Manager (SLED, Northeast/MidAtlantic)

Our world-class sales and sales support teams work directly with businesses of all sizes to offer products and services to meet our customers’ unique needs. We are committed to understanding our customers and use best-in-class sales tools and technology to find the best solutions. We’re constantly discovering new ways to reach our goals, taking time to develop our skills and investing in our career growth, so we can enjoy lucrative opportunities and grow our careers both within and beyond sales.

Staples is looking for a motivated Business Development Manager to grow our customer base within the Public Sector space.  The BDM hunts within a defined territory to prospect and win net-new medium to large potential business.   Prospects will be in the SLED vertical (state and local government, higher education, and K-12 education). In this strategic sales role, you will prospect, build relationships, and win new medium to large business customers across a defined territory. You will partner with internal sales, pricing, support, and category experts to create tailored solutions that help public sector customers solve real business challenges. If you are driven by new business development, consultative selling, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact, this is a strong opportunity to build your career with Staples.

Work Location: This is a remote position with a regional focus. This position supports customers in NC, KY, TN, WV, VA, DC, MD, DE, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, NH, RI, ME.   While the role primarily supports working from home, the individual performing this role would live within or adjacent to this region.

What you’ll be doing: 

• Prospect, develop, and win net-new medium to large business customers within the SLED vertical.

• Build and execute strategic account plans for high-potential prospects across your assigned territory.

• Engage prospects daily through face-to-face meetings, phone, video, and digital selling tools.

• Collaborate with pricing, sales engineering, account executives, category experts, and support teams to deliver customer-focused solutions.

• Develop compelling proposals and presentations that connect Staples solutions to prospect needs and challenges.

• Negotiate with prospects to reach mutually beneficial agreements on opportunities 

• Onboard newly won accounts and partner with internal teams to support a seamless transition.

• Use market, industry, and prospect feedback to continuously refine your sales approach.

• Contribute to annual new business growth goals while creating long-term customer relationships.

What you bring to the table: 

• Strong drive, resilience, and motivation to find, develop, and close new business.

• A consultative selling mindset with the ability to uncover customer needs and position value-based solutions.

• Confidence building relationships with senior-level customer contacts and internal business partners.

• Strong presentation skills, both in person and virtually.

• Business, financial, operational, and technology acumen to shape solutions for complex prospects.

• Ability to analyze business and industry trends and translate them into tailored sales strategies.

• Strong organization, time management, and follow-through in a fast-paced sales environment.

• Comfort working independently with minimal daily supervision while staying highly accountable to results.

• A growth mindset with the ability to incorporate coaching, feedback, and new selling tools into daily sales motions.

• Experience working within the SLED vertical

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications 

• 4+ years of successful hunting, business development, sales.

• Proven ability to prospect, develop, and close new sales opportunities.

• Ability to interface with customers at senior levels and communicate with professionalism and.

• Proficiency with PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

• Ability to travel within an assigned territory to meet with prospects and customers as needed.

• SLED industry knowledge

What’s needed - Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Knowledge of CRM tools and sales systems.

• Ability to incorporate AI or digital selling tools into daily prospecting and sales activities.

We Offer: 

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups 

• Flexible PTO (22 days) and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays) 

• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more! 

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 to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity.  In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.