Key Account Strategic Manager, Quill NEW

Waukegan, Illinois
Staples, Inc.

Staples is business to business. You’re what binds us together.

Quill, a trusted Staples brand since 1998, offers you the chance to shape the future of strategic accounts through innovation, leadership, and a commitment to long-term customer success.

As the Key Account Strategic Manager at Quill, you will lead a high-performing team dedicated to managing our largest and most strategically significant customer accounts. This is a highly visible role where you’ll drive sales strategy execution, talent development, and operational rigor in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. You’ll play a pivotal role in maintaining C-suite relationships and steering high-stakes engagements that boost revenue growth across diverse industries and verticals.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead, coach, and inspire a team of inside sales professionals focused on managing Quill’s largest, most complex key accounts
• Execute data-driven strategies, aligning account-level plans with broader portfolio objectives to maximize impact and revenue accountability (over $100 million annually)
• Analyze customer and portfolio P&Ls to uncover performance trends, margin gaps, and untapped revenue opportunities
• Develop and implement innovative, tailored approaches for account-specific challenges and profitable growth
• Guide the team through high-stakes C-suite relationship management, multi-level negotiations, and long-term value positioning
• Set and monitor team sales targets, KPIs, and performance metrics to drive results across high-value accounts
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive culture that champions professional development and empowers talent
• Attend customer appointments, business reviews, and industry events (up to 15% travel required nationally) to strengthen partnerships
• Leverage tools like Salesforce, Power BI, and to ensure visibility, drive accountability, and optimize sales processes
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales Strategy, Marketing, Merchandising, and Customer Success to maximize customer impact
• Support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and long-term development of sales talent.
• Proactively provide feedback and recommendations to leadership to evolve team strategy, tools, and performance models
• Facilitate evaluations, reviews, and performance plans while maintaining proper documentation

What you bring to the table:

• Proven leadership experience building and developing high-performing B2B sales teams, preferably in key account or enterprise environments
• Deep expertise in strategic sales and managing large, complex accounts with a focus on consultative, solution-based selling
• Demonstrated success in executive-level negotiations and multi-site account planning
• Strong proficiency with CRM and sales tools such as Salesforce, Power BI, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Exceptional communication, coaching, and interpersonal skills
• Natural cross-functional collaborator who aligns with Marketing, Customer Success, Strategy, and Operations
• Track record of fostering a high-engagement, inclusive culture and driving measurable team performance
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment that requires cross-functional collaboration and adaptability
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 15% for customer meetings, reviews, and industry events across the US
• Passion for developing talent, driving enterprise growth, and championing customer success

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• 7+ years of B2B sales experience with a focus on strategic or key account management
• 4+ years of experience leading and developing high-performing sales teams, preferably in inside sales or enterprise sales
• Demonstrated track record managing complex sales cycles, executive negotiations, and multi-site accounts
• Strong proficiency with CRM and sales tools such as Salesforce, Power BI, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Willingness to travel up to 15% nationally

What’s needed – Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing key accounts in a multi-vertical or multi-location B2B sales environment
• Background in inside sales leadership with demonstrated success in high-value, complex accounts
• Expertise in consultative and solution-based selling within industries such as property management, industrial, or mid-market commercial sectors
• Strong background in sales forecasting, territory planning, and strategic account development
• Proven success in coaching teams through C-suite engagements and high-stakes negotiations
• Proven collaboration with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Customer Service, Sales Strategy) on integrated go-to-market plans
• Track record of building inclusive, high-engagement team cultures that retain top talent and deliver consistent results

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!
• Base salary $90,000 to $115,000 DOE, plus sales bonus

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.

At Staples, “inclusion” is an action word. It represents what we do to ensure that all employees feel valued and supported to contribute to their fullest potential. When we operate inclusively, diversity naturally follows. This is why we work hard to foster an inclusive culture, as we seek employees with unique and varied perspectives and areas of expertise. The result is a better workplace and innovative thinking that helps us exceed our customers’ expectations – through the power of the people behind our iconic brand. Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.