Strategic Relationship Executive

MillerKnoll•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Strategic Relationship Executive wins preference and product specification by developing working relationships with key influencers in real estate, project management, design firms, and related communities. The role develops and executes business plans that increase MillerKnoll product preference and specification and ultimately generate sales. The executive educates customer communities about MillerKnoll products and how they address business needs, serves as a key point of contact in the market, and builds credibility, visibility, and enthusiasm for MillerKnoll among design professionals. The position influences product-selection criteria, responds to technical questions about product application, and collaborates with internal MillerKnoll teams to connect the design community with appropriate resources. It also develops processes to measure performance and directs implementation of pilot programs supporting A&D. The role maintains Salesforce information to support accurate monthly sales forecasts and participates in client visits as needed to enhance the customer experience. Travel and other job duties may be required as needed.

Requirements

At least 3 years of interior design or equivalent experience, combined with at least 2 years of direct selling experience.
Demonstrated willingness to learn selling skills, including account penetration, strategic selling, conceptual selling, issues-based selling, consultative selling, negotiation, and contracts/closing, and ability to develop and cultivate business opportunities.
Proven ability to network and build relationships with key A&D, real estate, project management, and design influencers.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate and negotiate.
Innovative, self-starting, self-confident, and able to represent MillerKnoll professionally and ethically to build confidence among diverse, critical customers.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and at all levels of an organization.
Proven success building long-term relationships with customers and partners, and ability to establish relationships with senior decision-makers.
Thorough knowledge of MillerKnoll products, services, and culture, and ability to distinguish them from competitors.
Ability to travel and perform other job duties as needed.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute business plans for key influencer communities, including architects, designers, project managers, and developers, to increase product preference, specification, and sales.
Educate influencer communities about MillerKnoll products and their ability to address customer business needs and requirements.
Serve as the key market contact for these communities and develop and nurture relationships.
Build MillerKnoll’s credibility, visibility, and appeal among design professionals.
Influence product-selection criteria and respond to technical questions concerning product application.
Develop relationships with internal MillerKnoll teams so Marketing, Customer Care, and other resources can support the design community.
Develop a process to measure performance against the business plan and direct implementation of pilot programs supporting A&D.
Maintain Salesforce CRM information so sales leadership can communicate monthly forecasts of expected sales volume by account and product line.
Participate in client visits as needed to enhance the customer experience.
Travel and perform other job duties as needed.