Account Executive - Public Sector (Chicago, IL)

Stores; Itasca (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Performance incentives

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

The ODPGroup, through its ODP Business Solutions and Office Depot entities, seeks an Account Executive to own regional, field-based sales across the greater Chicago area with regular collaboration in our Itasca, IL office. You will identify, qualify, and close new business opportunities with small to mid-sized organizations, building relationships and driving revenue growth.

This outside sales role emphasizes pipeline development, territory planning, and consultative selling while partnering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• 2+ years of field sales experience in B2B preferred.
• Proven ability to develop relationships and close deals.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and acquire new customers within an assigned local market territory.
• Build and expand relationships with customers using consultative selling techniques.
• Maintain accurate customer, prospect, and activity data in CRM to support forecasting and planning.
• Collaborate with internal teams to resolve customer issues and drive revenue growth.

Skills

Outside sales

Relationship building

Consultative selling

Forecasting

CRM management

Cold calling

Presentation skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Salesforce.com

Job description

The role is regional and field-based, with local travel across greater Chicago, IL and regular in-office collaboration in our Itasca, IL office.

The Account Executive is responsible for identifying, qualifying, and acquiring new customers within an assigned local market territory, targeting small to mid-sized organizations across your vertical/segment. This outside sales role focuses on building a robust pipeline through prospecting, networking, relationship development, and cold-calling activities while positioning ODP Business Solutions' products, services, and solutions to maximize customer value and market penetration. The Account Executive works collaboratively with implementation, sales support, and product specialists to drive customer acquisition, revenue growth, and long-term account success. Success in this role requires strong territory planning, consultative selling skills, pipeline management, and the ability to build trusted relationships with key decision makers throughout the local market.

Primary Responsibilities

• New Account Acquisition: Engage in outside sales activities to identify, prospect, and close new business opportunities within an assigned local market territory. Develop relationships with decision makers, influencers, end users, and buyers through in-person meetings, networking events, referrals, and cold-calling efforts. Leverage customer profiles, business needs assessments, and strategic pricing programs to present compelling solutions that secure new customer partnerships and drive profitable revenue growth. The expectation is that this role spends the majority of the time actively engaging customers and prospects within the assigned territory.
• Relationship Building & Market Development: Build and expand relationships with customers by utilizing consultative selling techniques and industry knowledge to uncover business challenges and opportunities. Develop a deep understanding of the local market, assigned industries, and competitive landscape to identify opportunities for growth. Forecast business activity, maintain an active sales pipeline, and consistently achieve or exceed assigned sales and revenue objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to maximize customer value and support long-term account success.
• Territory & CRM Management: Take ownership of territory planning, business development strategies, and execution of sales initiatives. Maintain accurate customer, prospect, activity, and pipeline information within Salesforce and other sales systems to support forecasting, reporting, account planning, and overall data integrity.
• Sales Leadership & Collaboration: Serve as a resource on customer requirements, market insights, and effective selling strategies. Share best practices and collaborate with internal partners, sales support teams, and subject matter experts to resolve customer issues, support organizational goals, and drive sales success across the local market.

Education and Experience

• Level of Formal Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Area of Study: High School diploma or equivalent, Bachelors preferred
• Minimum Years of Experience: 2
• Type of Experience:
  • Demonstrated relationship building, negotiation, and closing skills (through work experience, internships, or other relevant activities)
  • Experience or aptitude in consultative selling, needs analysis, and solution recommendation
  • Ability to work in a deadline driven, fast paced environment, managing multiple priorities and adapting to change
  • Experience working in a team environment and collaborating to achieve shared goals
• Technical Competencies & Information Systems:
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Working knowledge of CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce.com) preferred
  • Ability to learn and effectively use internal systems, sales tools, and reporting platforms
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Sales & Business Development:
    • Proven ability or strong potential to be an impactful member of the sales team through achievement of monthly sales and revenue goals
    • Ability to conduct consultative analyses with customers and provide tailored product and solution recommendations
    • Capability to develop long term client relationships that support renewals, upsell, and cross sell opportunities
    • Experience or comfort driving the sales process by securing and conducting face to face meetings with key decision makers
  • Networking & Prospecting:
    • Ability to build an expansive network through persuasive sales calls, customer visits, industry events, and internal referrals
    • Comfort with cold calling and initiating contact with new prospects
  • Communication & Professionalism:
    • Effective written and spoken English communication skills with all levels of customer and internal stakeholders
    • Strong presentation and interpersonal skills; able to communicate value propositions clearly and confidently
  • Organization & Execution:
    • Strong time management, organizational, and follow up skills
    • Ability to maintain and update CRM databases with all required customer, contact, and activity information
    • Proven ability to meet or exceed assigned revenue goals and sales quotas within an assigned set of accounts or territory
  • Mobility & Territory Coverage:
    • Ability to customarily and regularly travel within the assigned territory to meet with customers and prospects
• Additional Language Skills: Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English required.
• Personal Attributes & Other/Preferred:
  • Related work experience in sales, customer service, or business development is preferred
  • Valid driver’s license and a driving record in good standing
  • Strong initiative, self motivation, and resilience in the face of challenges
  • Ability to provide regular updates and reports to management on account activities, sales forecasts, and client feedback
  • Professional, goal oriented, and results driven mindset

About The ODPGroup

The ODPGroup, through its business entities ODP Business Solutions and Office Depot,is a leading provider of products,services, and technology solutionsthrough an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omnichannel presence, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, online presence, and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores.

Commitment to Safety

We are committed tomaintaininga safe and healthy work environment for ourCoworkers and our customers. AllCoworkers are expected to support our operational safety culture by working safely and addressing potential hazards or concerns.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed byCoworkersassigned to this classification and are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skillsrequired ofCoworkersso classified. Other duties may be assigned.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

The company offers competitive salaries, a benefits package, which includes a401(k) and more, along with plenty of opportunities to move and grow within our organization!You may be eligible toparticipatein an incentive program, paidin accordance withthe IncentivePlanterms and conditions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The company is committed toprovidingequal employment opportunities in all employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction recordspursuant totheCity & County of San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Application Deadline

The job posting will remain open for a minimum of 3 days and will expire once the position has beenfilled.