Vendor Enablement Specialist

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

Overview:

Our world-class sales and sales support teams work directly with businesses of all sizes to offer products and services to meet our customers' unique needs. We are committed to understanding our customers and use best-in-class sales tools and technology to find the best solutions. We're constantly discovering new ways to reach our goals, taking time to develop our skills, and investing in our career growth, so we can enjoy lucrative opportunities and grow our careers both within and beyond sales.

What you'll be doing:

You will partner alongside the Director of Product Development to help deliver budgeted sales and profit objectives, while also acting as the primary liaison between our Vendors & Sales team. This role is an excellent development opportunity for an applicant seeking to gain exposure in multiple cross-functional teams that support our Commercial Sales organization. The Vendor Enablement Specialist is a self-led subject matter expert in their defined set of suppliers or product class. This position will take direct ownership of vendor relationships and manage every aspect of their go-to-market plan. With minimal guidance, you will analyze complex sales/industry data to create strategies that increase engagement & revenue, while balancing the profitability of your business through the development of strategic plans that reinvest funding and maximize investments. You will also act as a product ambassador and be responsible for expanding mindshare & knowledge for the products within your portfolio. You will coordinate between Vendors, Sales, and Operational teams to identify and help close new opportunities, while maximizing available resources & programs. You will regularly engage with partners to ensure Staples Technology Solutions, and all stakeholders are kept up to date on any issues & initiatives and regularly interact with Senior level management to independently execute your defined strategy.

What you bring to the table:

• Understanding of commercial programs (MDF, Training, Compensation, Incentives) and how they correlate to sales objectives
• Experience analyzing data to identify sales opportunities within a defined product or customer segment
• Ability to cultivate vendor relationships, understand commercial assortment, and achieve financial objectives
• Develop & maintain effective working relationships with members of cross-functional teams (Product Development, Sales)
• Acts as primary point of contact for questions from Sales Organization - functioning as SME within a defined product class

What's needed- Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of sales & sales support functions representing categories outside of Office Supplies
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Power Bi, and experienced in Excel (Pivots/VLOOKUP)
• Ability to make data-driven decisions, and leverage data to influence change in a matrixed organization
• Ability to work autonomously, with strong decision-making skills and good judgement
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, shifting tasks and timelines
• Excellent communication skills, and ability to clearly communicate across all levels with a sense of urgency

What's needed- Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Commercial Technology Hardware (Computing/Peripherals) - Product landscape, key vendors
• Experience with Merchandising fundamentals (vendor management, negotiation, programs, demand gen, marketing)
• Bachelor's Degree preferred or relevant business experience

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 perks and benefits