National Contract Specialist

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 parental leave Expecting parents enjoy 8 weeks of 100% paid leave 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: National Contract Specialist Location: Cincinnati, OH Job Id: 464 # of Openings: 2 National Contract Specialist School Outfitters | Drive growth by securing and managing high-impact contract opportunities Location: Cincinnati, OH Why This Role Matters Are you someone who thrives in a fast-paced, detail-driven environment and enjoys managing complex projects end-to-end? In this role, you will directly influence how School Outfitters grows, identifying, securing, and managing contract opportunities that drive millions in annual revenue. You won’t just process contracts, you’ll play a critical role in positioning School Outfitters as the preferred vendor in the PreK–12 market. What You’ll Own Contract Development & Strategy Identify and target key contracts and purchasing programs aligned to major and key accounts Develop new contract opportunities for PreK–12 customers without existing purchasing channels Partner with Sales leadership to proactively expand contract/program coverage End-to-End Contract Management Manage contracts through full lifecycle: discovery, implementation, submission, follow-up, training, and post-award marketing Facilitate and manage 300–500 contracts annually Oversee contract submissions, documentation, and internal coordination Revenue Growth & Performance Manage and influence $40M+ in annual contract business Drive contract growth of 10%+ annually (~$5M+) through expansion and optimization Monitor contract performance and identify marketing and sales opportunities to increase revenue Cross-Functional Leadership Lead internal communication and training to ensure teams understand contract opportunities Partner with Sales, Marketing, Vendors, and Operations to develop competitive proposals Facilitate internal meetings to align teams and strengthen proposals Compliance & Risk Management Interpret contract terms and ensure compliance with requirements Escalate risks or concerns to sales leadership when needed External Engagement Travel to tradeshows and cooperative purchasing events to build relationships and grow market presence Engage with customers and partners to strengthen School Outfitters’ positioning How You’ll Make an Impact Increase win rates and effectiveness of contract submissions Expand contract coverage in key territories and accounts Drive measurable revenue growth through contract channels Improve internal alignment and execution across departments What We’re Looking For Be highly organized and able to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously Thrive in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment Have strong attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and compliance Be proactive, goal-driven, and comfortable taking ownership of outcomes Communicate effectively across teams and influence both internal and external stakeholders Be comfortable interpreting data, requirements, and contract language Additional strengths that stand out: Experience with contracts, bids, procurement, or sales Ability to lead cross-functional projects from start to finish Strong presentation and communication skills What You’ll Gain Ownership of high-impact work tied directly to revenue growth Exposure to strategic accounts and large-scale opportunities Experience working across multiple business functions The opportunity to develop into a leader in contracts, sales strategy, or operations About Us At School Outfitters, we help educators create learning environments where students and teachers thrive. As a national leader in educational furniture and equipment, we combine expertise, service, and innovation to support schools across the country. We are a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) company , meaning your work directly contributes to shared success. Our culture is collaborative, growth-focused, and driven by a commitment to continuously improve and deliver value to our customers. Compensation, Benefits & Work Environment Competitive compensation aligned to experience 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 View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr School Outfitters