National Contract Specialist

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Interpret contract terms and ensure compliance with requirements
• Escalate risks or concerns to sales leadership when needed
• Maintain contract accuracy across systems and documentation

• Travel to tradeshows and cooperative purchasing events to build relationships and grow market presence
• Engage with customers and partners to strengthen School Outfitters’ positioning

• 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

• 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

• Experience with contracts, bids, procurement, or sales
• Ability to lead cross-functional projects from start to finish
• Strong presentation and communication skills

• 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

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

If you’re ready to take ownership of complex opportunities and play a direct role in driving growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today to start the conversation.

School Outfitters is an equal opportunity employer. EEO – Disabled / Veterans.