Sales Manager, PRPG

ReaderLink; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life and Accident Insurance

Vacation Pay & Paid Holidays

401(k) with Company Match

Book Club

Job summary

ReaderLink is seeking a Sales Manager, PRPG in Oak Brook, IL to drive revenue growth with distribution and client-service partners and to manage select accounts directly. The role emphasizes strategic sales, relationships with buyers, and collaboration across internal teams to develop custom publishing opportunities.

The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in publishing sales, strong negotiation skills, and proficiency with MS Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field is required.
• 5–7 years of experience in publishing sales with specialty retail customers preferred.
• Demonstrates strong business acumen and understanding of sales strategies and market dynamics.
• Proven track record of achieving sales goals with strong negotiation skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sales strategies to drive revenue growth across special sales and distribution accounts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with retail buyers, distribution partners, client-service teams, and external sales representatives.
• Work closely with distribution partners' sales teams to maximize placement of company titles across their accounts.
• Conduct regular account reviews and analyze sales, POS, inventory, and market data to identify opportunities and address performance challenges.
• Research market trends, competitive activity, consumer preferences, and emerging opportunities to inform sales strategies and title recommendations.
• Present new and existing titles to buyers and sales teams with compelling product positioning and data.

Skills

Sales leadership

Publishing sales

Negotiation

Client relations

Excel

Office suite

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

Job description

Description

The primary responsibility of the Sales Manager, PRPG is to drive revenue growth by building strong, collaborative relationships with our distribution and client-service partners and their sales teams to maximize placement and sales of our books across their accounts. This position will also have direct sales responsibility for accounts as assigned. This role requires a strong understanding of market dynamics and customer needs, as well as a commitment to staying current on emerging trends, competitive activity, and new opportunities. The Sales Manager will also identify opportunities to develop custom books and products tailored to specific accounts.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience working with key trade national accounts, special sales and wholesale accounts, including direct interaction with buyers and close collaboration with distributor sales teams. The role also requires strong inventory and stock management skills to ensure active titles remain in stock and are available to support sales opportunities.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Develop and execute sales strategies to drive revenue growth across special sales, and distribution accounts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with retail buyers, distribution partners, client-service teams, and external sales representatives.
• Work closely with distribution partners' sales teams to identify opportunities and maximize placement of company titles across their accounts.
• Conduct regular account reviews and analyze sales, POS, inventory, and market data to identify growth opportunities and address performance challenges.
• Research market trends, competitive activity, consumer preferences, and emerging opportunities to inform sales strategies and title recommendations.
• Present new and existing titles to buyers and sales teams, providing compelling product positioning, sales data, samples, and account-specific recommendations.
• Identify and develop custom publishing opportunities tailored to the needs of specific retailers and special sales customers.
• Collaborate with Publishing, Editorial, Marketing, Product Development, Operations, and other internal teams to communicate customer feedback and support successful product development.
• Monitor inventory levels, sales forecasts, stock transfers, and production schedules to ensure active titles remain available to support customer demand.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with internal and external partners through meetings, phone calls, email, and other communication platforms.
• Travel as needed to meet with customers, sales partners, distributors, and industry contacts.
• Other duties may be assigned, directed or requested.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Business or a related field is required.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in publishing sales with specialty retail customers preferred.
• Demonstrates strong business acumen and an understanding of sales strategies and market dynamics.
• Proven track record of achieving sales goals, with strong negotiation skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships through in-person meetings, phone calls, emails, and presentations.
• Confident in engaging and building relationships with customers and stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-motivated, results-driven, and persistent in achieving business objectives.
• Maintains a professional presence and represents the organization effectively in customer-facing interactions.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative, practical, and effective client solutions.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Strong to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to speak with all levels of the organization and outside partners.
• Must be proficient in basic mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to do algebra, calculate figures and amounts and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• A methodical and organized approach to problem-solving.
• The work performed is in an office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at low decibels.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, team environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Salary: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00

Employee Benefits Include:

• Health Plans -Medical, Dental & Prescription
• Flexible Spending Accounts -Health & Dependent Care
• Life and Accident Insurance
• Vacation Pay & Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Author Events
• Publisher-sponsored Book Club
• ReaderLink is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with a disability. EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran.
• ReaderLink is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please email your request to [emailprotected], or call: [phone].

ReaderLink 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, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. EOE/Minorities/Female/Disabled/Veteran.

ReaderLink is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please email your request to [emailprotected], or call: [phone].