• Job Description

  Req#: 530198

  About Learning Resources:

  We are on a mission to bring learning to life! We are Learning Resources®, and we have been helping parents and teachers build generations of amazing kids since 1984. Voted among the Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces for the last four consecutive years, we’re a 150-person strong, family-owned company on a mission to bring learning to life with our award-winning products, including Toy of the Year winners Tumble Trax®, Botley® the Coding Robot, and Coding Critters™. From ABCs and 123s to fine motor and STEM skills, our educational toys offer kids the building blocks they need to succeed in school and develop a lifelong love of learning. We pride ourselves on being committed to our employee’s personal and professional development, a thriving culture and a diverse, creative atmosphere. Along with our culture and competitive benefits package, we offer opportunities for training and development by Harvard and UCLA professors as well as in-demand, motivating external speakers. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today!

  Team & Position Description:

  The National Account Manager will lead strategic relationships with top-tier customers across the Education and Specialty channels in the US and Canada. This role focuses on driving revenue growth for Learning Resources and Educational Insights, optimizing sales performance, and identifying new business opportunities. Reporting to the Manager, Education & Specialty, the role requires collaboration across teams to ensure alignment on strategies and initiatives tailored to the unique needs of assigned accounts.

  Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with cross functional team members to develop and lead the execution of strategic plans for accounts within the education reseller and toy specialty channels, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs.
  • Lead the execution of sales strategies and joint business planning initiatives, delivering measurable results and fostering long-term partnerships with strategic accounts.
  • Conduct regular reviews of sales performance reports to identify growth opportunities, analyze lost sales, and assess overall business health, providing actionable recommendations for improvement. Communicate these findings internally and externally to key partners to drive business growth.
  • As a NAM, you will lead and manage relationships with top-tier strategic education customers, directly influencing revenue growth, shaping customer engagement strategies, and driving long-term business success.
  • Partner with internal teams, including Marketing, Product Development, Demand Planning, Finance, and Sales, to create and execute collaborative initiatives that enhance customer satisfaction and drive revenue growth.
  • Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities through thorough market research, leveraging industry knowledge, and cultivating strategic relationships within the Education and Specialty channels to become an industry expert for the team.
  • Represent the company at trade shows and industry events to showcase products, explore new business opportunities, and stay informed about competitor offerings, including product features, deals, and market trends.

  What We’re Looking For (Key Performance Objectives):

  1) Develop and Execute Strategic Account Plans

  • Within the first 90 days, conduct a detailed analysis of the top 5 accounts to identify growth opportunities and risks. Create tailored strategic account plans, including quarterly goals, key initiatives, and measurable KPIs, aimed at increasing annual revenue compared to the previous year.

  2) Drive Revenue Growth and Market Penetration

  • Achieve the assigned sales budget within the first 12 months by collaborating with cross-functional teams to seek out new business opportunities and introduce new solutions or services into top-performing accounts. Monitor and analyze sales performance monthly, identifying emerging trends and adjusting strategies to maintain consistent growth.

  3) Enhance Customer Relationships

  • Within 180 days, establish a regular cadence of high-value engagements (e.g., quarterly business reviews, strategic planning sessions) with decision-makers at each major account. Ensure timely resolution of all escalations and proactively implement solutions aligned with clients' long-term business objectives

  4) Strengthen Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Facilitate effective collaboration with internal teams, including marketing, product development, customer service, and sales support to deliver customized offerings and enhance service delivery for top accounts.

  5) Develop a Long-Term Growth Strategy

  • By the end of the first year, design and present a 3-year growth plan for top accounts to senior leadership. This strategy should include market share targets, actionable risk mitigation strategies, and potential partnerships, ensuring alignment with overall company goals and projected revenue increases.

  Requirements/Ideal Attributes:

  • BS/BA is required.
  • 5-10 years prior industry experience is required, educational sales experience strongly preferred.
  • Proven track record of excellence in sales activity.
  • Strong computer skills; Microsoft Office Suite (Dynamics 365, PowerBI)
  • Experience with strategic account planning, budgeting, expense management, new business development, developing a sales pipeline and strategic selling.
  • Strong communication skills with internal and external stakeholders, ability to work independently, proactive problem-solving skills and the ability to understand and evaluate needs to assist with resolutions.

  We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.

  Please note: This role will be filled by our internal recruitment team, so no assistance is needed from any outside staffing agency at this time.

  Compensation Range: $90,000 – 100,000 annual salary plus a commission plan – Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: years of experience, skill set or location. Total compensation includes profit sharing bonus potential, 401k matching, and a variety of other benefits (details can be found here).

• About the company

  Hand2mind, Inc. is located in Vernon Hills, IL, United States and is part of the Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Industry. With products designed to enhance learning in the classroom and the world around us, we strive to find new ways to encourage hands-on exploration and discovery.

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