Subject Matter Expert- Special Needs Focus

Job Title
Subject Matter Expert- Special Needs Focus
Requisition ID
27728084
Duration
Work Remote
Yes
Location
Lombard,  IL
Other Location
Description


People Passion Purpose
Everything School Specialty offers is designed for one purpose – to help students succeed. We believe every student can flourish in an environment where they feel safe and inspired to explore and grow.

We’re determined to positively impact the future, one child at a time. We need to talk if you share our passion:

Transforming more than classrooms.®

Benefits

School Specialty offers Medical, Dental, & Vision plans (Effective Day 1), Wellness programs, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, 401 (k), Unlimited PTO for Salaried Exempt employees, which can also be used for dedicated volunteer hours, Education Reimbursement, Paid Holidays, Fall & Winter Flexible Hours, Employee Discounts and much more!

Subject Matter Expert- Special Needs Focus 

This position is to be the voice of the market for their category.  They provide guidance and expertise around their category, knowledge around policy issues, market needs and instructional trends.  The SME works collaboratively with marketing, merchandising, product development, sales and leads our category professional development efforts.

The base salary range for this role is $80,000-$92,000K Annually.
**This role is remote, and can work from anywhere in the US. ** 


Summary of Primary Responsibilities
  • Maintain a high level of knowledge and understanding of the category through research, media sources and direct customer contact.  Interpret and communicate information to internal and external customers.
  • Update company internal resources for the category to reflect current trends that can influence purchasing decisions.
  • Provide internal training for the Sales Teams. Collaborate with sales leadership to facilitate, support and/or deliver effective and relevant category sales training
  • Provide and / or manage the external training (workshops, In-services, Conference Presentations etc.) for customers to promote category product line and support the Sales Team. 
  • Collaborate closely with respective Merchandising Team to offer a selection of products to align with changing customer needs. 
  • Support Trade Shows and Conference planning to drive sales for the category.  
  • Share information on funding streams and Grant initiatives that can produce sales opportunities. Disseminate information to capture revenue.
  • Work across categories to promote new sales opportunities.
  • Support the Product Development Team as they develop and / or revise products to address market needs.
  • Contribute to the annual financial goals of the category
Minimum Experience Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of eight years in an education or equivalent time in a leadership role with a focus on Special Education.  
  • Skilled in understanding and implementing solutions for special needs/inclusion and sensory friendly learning environments.  
  • Based on category of responsibility; major in Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Art Education, Physical Education, STEAM and Health with experience preferred or minimum 5 years teaching and/or work experience.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
  • Presentation and/or experience designing and providing professional development.
  • Excellent Project Management Skills
  • Communication and collaboration skills.
Preferred Knowledge and Skills 
  • Postgraduate degree in Special Education or OT/COTA working in school environments/pediatrics preferred. 
  • Deep understanding and field experience with special needs products and customers in category.
  • General business acumen or familiarity with business principles and practices.  
  • Ability to research funding streams and assist Marketing in developing materials to drive sales in category.
  • A strong understanding of the customer and structure of the educational market.
  • A strong understanding of funding and policy issues that impact educational decisions, purchases and instructional trends.
  • Ability to provide advice and recommendations within the category both internally and externally (customer) to promote increased sales.
  • Strong interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to communicate to executive management in business terms.
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills.
Travel Requirement: Up to 25% per month.  Please note, in your first year, it is likely that travel will be closer to 25-50% due to training, building your knowledge base with the team and learning the organization.  
 
Disclaimers
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
  • School Specialty, LLC. is a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants are subject to a drug screen and background check as a condition of employment.
  • We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
  • If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at Opportunities@SchoolSpecialty.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
#LI-Remote
Job Grade- C11 
Openings
1

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