Regional Sales Director - Mid-Atlantic

Company Description

At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

Job Description

In a time of unprecedented expansion, we are seeking a Regional Sales Director to join our team. This is a field leadership role that manages Regional Sales Managers and Sales Rep roles and reports to the Regional Vice President. In this role, you will be responsible for a designated geographical region and overseeing a balanced portfolio, along with additional leadership responsibilities. The position requires someone who can drive sales and the professional growth of their team year over year. Applicants should have excellent professional maturity and robust mentorship skills. The ideal candidate also has demonstrated success in a similar role year over year, considering overall performance, annual budgeted quota and sales KPIs. 

A day on the job looks like this: 

• Driving sales within your region through daily face-to-face management of the Regional Directors and Regional Managers under your wing 
• Guiding team members to pursue relationships with city, county and state government officials, university administrators and community-based organizations to support cutting-edge learning environments for children 
• Personally interacting with high-level customers and securing new and repeat business by building strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders 
• Participating in local, state and national conferences to promote the Lakeshore brand 
• Providing effective training and mentorship to help team members reach and surpass sales goals 
• Developing and analyzing sales strategies and global positioning, communicating daily with company executives  
• Set regular meetings with a variety of internal HQ departments (SSS, ISR, BOB, Sales Managers, CSG, Marketing) and Sales channels (Retail/PSG) to streamline communication, build relationships and increase sales 
• Manage performance: identify, coach and develop talent 
• Contribute to and help set the culture of the team; take initiative to strengthen and connect the team and department 
• Communicate respectfully, effectively, concisely and with clarity to all inside partners 
• Maintaining an ongoing awareness of local, state and national trends and funding opportunities in early learning and elementary education 
• Lead, develop and encourage direct reports and additional team members to meet company standards, delegate work, and make tough prioritization decisions 
• Effectively work with internal and external personnel to create timely solutions to customer requests 
• Endorse company initiatives, standards and policy; effectively rollout communication to the team to gain

Qualifications

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for: 

• Minimum 6–7 years of experience in B2B Outside Sales, or equivalent work experience including 1+ years of sales management experience 
• Exhibits appropriate discretion and sound judgment 
• Can effectively propose and advocate for the resources needed to reach goals; high level critical thinking skills to effectively create complex solutions  
• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred 
• Excellent leadership, training and team building skills 
• Candidates should be based in the Denver, Kansas City, or St. Louis area and have the ability to travel extensively throughout your territory 
• Solid presentation skills with the ability to address customer needs at all levels (teachers, administrators, directors and other officials) 
• Self-motivated leader with a strong work ethic, team mentality and ability to perform outstanding work remotely 
• Superb written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and CRM systems 
• Sales reporting and KPI metrics management 
• Great attention to detail 

Additional Information

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Competitive compen