Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager

Location: Columbia, MO

Position Summary

Office Essentials is seeking a driven, relationship-focused Business Development Manager (BDM) to grow and manage business throughout the Columbia, MO market. This role is designed as a balanced sales position with approximately 50% focused on managing and growing an existing portfolio of accounts and 50% dedicated to developing new business opportunities.

The BDM serves as a trusted advisor to customers, helping organizations solve workplace challenges through innovative solutions including office supplies, furniture, interiors, print, technology, coffee & breakroom, promotional products, facilities solutions, and more.

This individual will be responsible for building strong customer relationships, identifying growth opportunities, prospecting new accounts, and leading the sales process from discovery through implementation. The ideal candidate is proactive, highly organized, consultative in their selling style, and energized by both hunting for new business and deepening long-term customer partnerships.

The BDM works closely with Sales Leadership, Category Specialists, Marketing, Operations, and Pricing teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities

Account Management & Growth (Approximately 50%)

• Manage and grow an existing portfolio of business accounts across multiple industries including education, legal, banking, healthcare, manufacturing, government, and professional services.
• Build strong relationships with key decision-makers and end users to retain and expand customer partnerships.
• Identify opportunities to grow share of wallet through additional products, services, and workplace solutions.
• Conduct regular customer meetings, business reviews, and strategic planning discussions.
• Collaborate internally with category experts and support teams to deliver customized solutions that meet customer needs.
• Maintain high customer satisfaction through responsiveness, communication, and proactive problem solving.
• Work closely with the Margin Management team to ensure account profitability and pricing alignment.
• Support customer engagement initiatives including events, trainings, product showcases, and marketing campaigns.

New Business Development (Approximately 50%)

• Prospect and develop new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, referrals, social selling, and community engagement.
• Build and maintain a healthy sales pipeline through consistent prospecting activity and follow-up.
• Research target accounts and identify opportunities to introduce Office Essentials’ workplace solutions.
• Conduct consultative discovery meetings and sales presentations with prospective customers.
• Lead the sales cycle from initial outreach through proposal, negotiation, close, and onboarding.
• Develop creative strategies to differentiate Office Essentials in a competitive marketplace.
• Represent the Office Essentials brand with professionalism, energy, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Strong relationship-building and consultative selling skills.
• Proven ability to prospect, develop, and close new business opportunities.
• Ability to manage existing accounts while balancing new business priorities.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Ability to interface effectively with stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable collaborating cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Industry experience is preferred but not required.

What Makes This Role Unique

This is not a transactional sales role. At Office Essentials, we help customers create better workplaces through customized solutions, responsive service, and strong partnerships. We are looking for someone who enjoys uncovering opportunities, solving problems, building relationships, and making a measurable impact for customers.

This role offers the opportunity to inherit an existing customer portfolio while also building your own book of business and long-term career growth within a highly collaborative organization.

About Office Essentials

Office Essentials is an independently operating company under the Office Depot umbrella and proudly headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. As a Hall of Fame “Best Place to Work” winner, we believe our people are our greatest differentiator.

We foster a culture that values collaboration, innovation, accountability, and fun. We are passionate about helping our customers create workplaces that work better while also creating meaningful opportunities for our employees to grow and succeed.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus commission and bonus opportunities
• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Maternity Leave Benefit
• 401(k) and Match
• Generous PTO
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Supportive and collaborative team environment