We are looking for an ambitious, customer-focused Key Account Manager to develop long-term relationships with schools, education groups and distribution partners while driving sustainable sales growth.
This role combines account management, business development, product consultation and market intelligence. You will work closely with our marketing, warehouse and customer service teams to ensure every customer receives exceptional service while identifying opportunities to grow existing accounts and win new business.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and develop a portfolio of key school and education accounts across Ireland.
- Build strong relationships with principals, teachers, procurement staff and educational organisations.
- Identify opportunities to increase sales through cross-selling, new product launches and seasonal campaigns.
- Prepare account plans for major customers to maximise long-term growth.
- Prospect and convert new schools, distributors and educational organisations into active customers.
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in account management, sales or business development.
- Experience within education, office supplies, publishing or B2B sales is desirable.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Highly organised with strong planning and time management abilities.
- Commercially aware with strong negotiation skills.
- Confident using Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
- Ability to analyse sales data and identify growth opportunities.
- Full clean driving licence preferred.
- Willingness to travel throughout Ireland when required.
- Conduct regular customer meetings (online and face-to-face where appropriate).
- Monitor competitor activity, pricing and product trends within the Irish education market.
- Work closely with the Marketing team to deliver targeted campaigns that support customer growth.
- Collaborate with Purchasing to identify gaps in product ranges and recommend new products.
- Represent ABC School Supplies at education conferences, exhibitions and trade events throughout Ireland.
- Ensure customer issues are resolved quickly while maintaining excellent customer satisfaction.
- Maintain accurate customer records and sales activity within the CRM system.
- Produce monthly sales reports, forecasts and account updates for senior management.
- Performance KPIs
1. Account Growth
- Deliver minimum 12% year-on-year sales growth across your assigned customer portfolio.
- Achieve 90% customer retention of assigned key accounts.
- Increase average customer spend through cross-selling and upselling initiatives.
2. Customer Service
- Respond to 95% of customer enquiries within one business day.
- Resolve customer issues within agreed service levels.
- Maintain a customer satisfaction rating of 90% or higher.
3. Business Development
- Generate 20 qualified new school opportunities each month.
- Convert a minimum of 25% of qualified opportunities into purchasing customers.
- Secure 10 new active school accounts per quarter.
4. Account Management
- Complete quarterly business reviews for all Tier 1 accounts.
- Contact every assigned key account at least once each month.
- Maintain accurate CRM records with 100% completion following customer interactions.
5. Sales & Forecasting
- Submit accurate monthly sales forecasts by agreed deadlines.
- Achieve monthly and annual sales targets.
- Maintain forecast accuracy within ±10%.
6. Product & Market Knowledge
- Submit quarterly competitor and market analysis reports.
- Identify at least five new product opportunities annually based on customer feedback and market trends.
- Support successful launches of new educational products and exclusive ranges.
7. Trade Shows & Events
- Represent ABC School Supplies at exhibitions, conferences and customer events.
- Follow up 100% of event-generated leads within five working days.
- Convert agreed event leads into sales opportunities within one month.
8. Internal Collaboration
- Work closely with Marketing, Purchasing, Customer Service and Warehouse teams to deliver excellent customer experiences.
- Meet agreed project deadlines.
- Contribute ideas that improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Personal Attributes
- Customer-focused with a genuine passion for helping schools.
- Self-motivated and results-driven.
- Positive, professional and approachable.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Commercially minded with attention to detail.
- Team player who enjoys collaborating across departments.
- Adaptable and eager to learn about new educational products and curriculum developments.
Pay: €28,000.00-€32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
