Regional Director
Location: St. Paul, MN | Hybrid / Field-First
About the Company
Our client is a commercial interior furnishings leader, a manufacturer representative and distributor for 100+ contract furniture brands, with KI as their flagship partner (the #1 market-share holder in education furniture in the US). Operating for 45+ years with headquarters in Milwaukee and a growing regional presence in the Twin Cities, they deliver end-to-end solutions: design, specification, procurement, project management, and installation.
This is a company built on relationships. Average sales tenure exceeds 20 years, clients stay for decades, and their compensation model rewards long-term portfolio building. They are in their third year of growth in this region, with a significant new product line launching in 2027 that leadership believes will be the most meaningful furniture innovation in 25 years.
The Role
This is a field-first, relationship-driven sales role focused primarily on the K-12 education market (80% of the book), with additional coverage across higher education, state and local government, corporate, and healthcare. You will operate as a full-cycle representative: driving end-user demand, supporting the A&D (architecture and design) community through specification and project collaboration, and managing long-term client relationships from initial engagement through delivery and beyond.
What You'll Do
- Own the full sales cycle from business development and prospecting to close and post-sale relationship management on project-based and recurring opportunities
- Build deep, trusted relationships with K-12 school districts, university facilities teams, state and local agencies, corporate end users, and healthcare organizations
- Collaborate with and support the A&D community, educate architects and designers on product lines, leverage CET design software to support specifications, and serve as a resource throughout the project lifecycle
- Deliver polished, consultative presentations and proposals that differentiate on value, service, and expertise, not price alone
- Work alongside internal designers, project coordinators, marketing, and installation teams to deliver seamless client experiences from concept to completion
- Track pipeline, forecasting, and activity in CRM with discipline and accuracy
- Stay active in the local education and business community, associations, trade events, and school district engagement, to build visibility and influence
- Embrace AI tools as they are integrated into the sales process; curiosity and openness to technology is valued here
What You'll Bring
- 3-7+ years of B2B consultative, project-driven sales, ideally in contract furniture, architectural products, flooring, AV/tech integration, construction materials, or a similarly complex tangible-product sales environment
- Proven ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles involving end users, influencers (A&D, GC), and procurement processes
- Genuine interest in or passion for K-12 education environments, whether through direct industry experience, prior work in education, or a strong desire to focus there
- Executive-caliber communication and presentation skills, comfortable engaging architects, designers, and facilities directors alike
- Self-directed and accountable; you thrive with autonomy, ask the right questions, and do not need daily oversight to stay productive
- CRM proficiency and general tech comfort; openness to learning design visualization tools like CET is a plus
- Existing network in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul market is a plus, not a requirement; candidates from adjacent industries, including former educators pivoting to sales, are encouraged to apply
Work Model
- Field-first, hybrid role: 3-4 days per week in market visiting clients, prospects, A&D partners, and school districts across the Twin Cities metro
- Remaining time remote for CRM, proposals, follow-up, and internal collaboration
- Home base is the St. Paul experience center, a modern, amenity-rich workspace located inside a vibrant mixed-use building featuring an on-site brewery, cafe, and collaborative common areas; a space designed to energize both the team and the clients they host
- Periodic travel for manufacturer trainings, regional meetings, and key industry events
- Note: This is not a fully remote role
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive monthly draw + uncapped commission (accelerators for over-achievement)
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Car allowance
- Paid time off
- Long-term career growth in a company known for stability, culture, and employee loyalty