Business Development Representative

School Outfitters; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Comprehensive benefits package

Matching 401K plan

Paid volunteer time

Paid enrichment leave

Career development & tuition reimburse

Job summary

School Outfitters is seeking a Business Development Representative to drive growth with proactive outreach and lead qualification. You will engage with prospective schools, respond to inbound interest, and nurture opportunities from first contact through to quotes in a high-energy, collaborative sales environment.

You will partner with marketing and sales to expand the pipeline, coordinate with account managers, and help schools choose solutions that fit their needs.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in outbound sales or lead generation.
• Strong communication and listening skills.

Responsibilities

• Respond promptly and professionally to inbound inquiries, quotes, chat opportunities, and marketing leads.
• Qualify opportunities by identifying needs, project scope, timelines, budget, and purchasing intent.
• Build and maintain a healthy pipeline to support growth and lead generation goals.
• Develop relationships with key decision-makers and collaborate with account managers to maximize conversions.

Skills

Outbound sales

Lead generation

Communication

Active listening

Organization

Travel willingness

CRM software

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Explore a career at School Outfitters

We challenge our employees to excel and support them in achieving great things. We work hard to make School Outfitters a place people enjoy being. And we encourage a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. We are convinced these things help us achieve our business goals.

Proudly 100% employee owned

In 2022, School Outfitters became an ESOP, or 100% employee owned and operated. This means that each year employees receive company shares in addition to their regular compensation, 401K contributions and bonus.
As employee-owners, we all have a vested interest in the profitability of School Outfitters, and we all have a stake in the day-to-day decisions that promote our growth. We’re proud to be in this together.

Our perks and benefits

Hybrid work environment
We believe in work-life balance for everyone, including the option to work remotely on Fridays.

Comprehensive coverage
Get competitive medical, dental, and vision, plus 100% paid short- and long-term disability

Matching 401K plan
We match your 401k contributions up to 5% for a future you can feel secure about

Paid volunteer time
Give back to a cause you care about with up to 8 hours of paid volunteer time each year.

Paid enrichment leave
Pursue personal growth with our paid enrichment leave program after 7 years

Career development & tuition reimbursement
We believe in our people and encourage ongoing professional development

We’re proud to be a Top Workplaces award winner.

It is an inclusive environment that allows you to grow as an employee. The people who work here are always striving to be better.
– Employee in Customer Service
My managers and co-workers believe that I will get the job done. They are great to work with; everyone is friendly and willing to help each other.
– Employee in Sales

Health & fitness
Enjoy our state-of-the-art gym with a professional trainer, plus a nearby fitness trail where employees can bike, walk or run.

Monthly social events
We play as hard as we work with happy hours, catered lunches, employee appreciation events and more.

About us

School Outfitters is committed to outfitting dynamic learning environments with high-quality school furniture and equipment that help students excel and educators thrive. A 100% employee-owned and operated retailer, we specialize in classroom furniture, school desks, chairs, tables, and storage solutions tailored to meet the needs of today’s learning spaces. With the know-how and resources to support everything from single-classroom upgrades to full school renovations, our team is ready to help. Our sales specialists provide expert phone and chat support and can manage school furniture projects from start to finish. We handle marketing, product management, sales, and customer service in-house, and are proud to be a Top Workplaces award winner.

Position: Business Development Representative
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Job Id: 468
# of Openings: 1
Business Development Representative Build Relationships. Drive Growth. Help Schools Thrive.
Norwood, OH

Why This Role Matters

Every customer relationship starts with a conversation. As a Business Development Representative, you'll be at the forefront of helping schools discover the solutions they need while creating opportunities that fuel School Outfitters' growth. You'll connect with prospective customers, respond to inbound interest, uncover new opportunities, and re-engage past customers, turning conversations into meaningful business relationships. By partnering closely with marketing and sales, you'll play a key role in expanding our pipeline, increasing quote activity, and delivering an outstanding customer experience that drives long-term success.

What You’ll Own

• Responding quickly and professionally to inbound customer inquiries, quote requests, chat opportunities, and marketing-generated leads
• Qualifying opportunities by identifying customer needs, project scope, timelines, budget considerations, and purchasing intent
• Generating qualified sales opportunities and supporting quote activity through proactive customer engagement
• Re-engaging existing and lapsed customers to uncover new projects, funding opportunities, refresh cycles, and additional needs
• Building and maintaining a healthy pipeline of opportunities that supports company growth and lead generation goals
• Developing relationships with key decision-makers and positioning School Outfitters as a trusted resource and long-term partner
• Collaborating closely with Account Managers and Sales Managers to maximize customer experience and conversion opportunities
• Maintaining accurate CRM documentation, including customer interactions, next steps, and opportunity updates
• Utilizing customer conversations to identify expansion opportunities and additional project needs
• Serving as a critical connection point between marketing activity, customer engagement, proactive outreach efforts, and the sales team

How You'll make an Impact

• Create meaningful connections with customers and turn interest into qualified opportunities that fuel business growth
• Help schools move projects forward by responding quickly, uncovering needs, and providing a seamless customer experience
• Expand School Outfitters' sales pipeline through proactive outreach, customer re-engagement, and opportunity identification
• Provide valuable market and customer insights that help shape outreach strategies, campaigns, and sales efforts

What We’re Looking For

• We’re looking for someone who is proactive, curious, and energized by connecting with others.
• 2+ years of experience in outbound sales or lead generation activities
• Strong communication and listening skills—you know how to uncover needs
• Ability to stay organized and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort using Microsoft Office and navigating multiple systems
• Self-motivated with a goal-oriented mindset
• Ability to build relationships and influence decision-makers
• Willingness to travel (tradeshows or customer support)

What You’ll Gain

• A fast-paced, team-driven sales environment focused on growth
• A role where your activity directly impacts pipeline and revenue
• Ongoing training and development to strengthen your skills
• Opportunities to collaborate closely with experienced sales leaders

We are a 100% employee-owned company, and we believe our people, systems, and culture are what differentiate us.

Compensation, Benefits & Work Environment

• Competitive base + performance-based incentives
• Potential all in earnings ~$50k-$68k
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Comprehensive benefits package

School Outfitters is an equal opportunity employer. EEO - Disabled / Veterans.

Equal Opportunity Employer

School Outfitters is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

Reasonable Accommodations

School Outfitters is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation due to a medical condition or disability at any point during the application or interview process, please email [e-mail] .