Education Sales Consultant – Classroom furniture and design & learning environments in England

Are you an ambitious sales professional with experience in the education or FF&E sector? Do you want a role that encourages independence over your work and career development? Want to create spaces that inspire students? This might be the role for you!

The company is the UK’s largest furniture supplier to education. They believe furniture profoundly affects how we feel and perform. With over 90 years of experience in design, supply and installation, they help create spaces that inspire a culture of learning. They are respected for their wealth of knowledge and contribute to government policy discussions through their membership of BESA. They are dedicated to elevating learning environments in new-build schools and full-scale refurbishments through their exceptional FF&E solutions.

The role involves understanding the specific needs of educational environments, proposing compliant and functional FF&E solutions, managing submissions and project timelines, and ensuring successful project closure before handing over the project management team. You will be the face of the company, regularly visiting existing and prospective customers. The role is well-suited to someone with a consultative sales approach who is driven to succeed and meet goals and targets.

Responsibilities include:

• Client Engagement: Build and manage relationships with schools, education authorities, architects, contractors, and procurement teams involved in educational developments and refurbishments.
• Sales Strategy & Execution: Identify new business opportunities within the education sector, respond to public and private tenders, and lead client presentations and site meetings.
• Needs Assessment: Conduct needs analysis and site visits to assess FF&E requirements based on space planning, age group, curriculum, and educational outcomes.
• FF&E Specification: Recommend and develop FF&E solutions aligned with educational standards, safety requirements, and budget constraints – covering classrooms, labs, libraries, admin areas, staff rooms, and outdoor learning environments.
• Turnkey Solutions: Identify opportunities to maximise sales through other “Turnkey” solutions covering all aspects of fit-out work.
• Project & Tender Management: Prepare detailed quotes, BOQs, and documentation for tender submissions. Work closely with project managers, logistics, and design teams to ensure timely delivery and installation.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all FF&E products meet relevant education sector standards (e.g., BS EN standards, fire safety, ergonomics, accessibility, safeguarding).
• Market Knowledge: Keep up to date with trends in education design, teaching methodologies, and government funding programs to inform solution development.
• Collaboration: Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturers to source educational furniture and equipment that meet durability, function, and design criteria.
• Maintain the CRM, ensuring the sales pipeline is up to date and aligned with company expectations.

The package:

• £40,000-45,000 base salary
• Bonus of up to 25% of base salary
• Car allowance
• Home office set up & mobile phone
• Pension scheme in place
• Up to 30% discount in chain of retail stores
• Regular social events throughout the year, and a Christmas Day event!

To be successful, you will…

• Have strong project management and organisational skills.
• Have excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.
• Have a positive attitude with the desire to constantly improve.
• Be customer-focused, ensuring the customer is at the heart of everything they do.
• Have a consultative nature to work with customers.
• Be able to successfully manage long-term opportunities.
• Understand the importance of maintaining sales admin.
• Have the character to work effectively with team members and other departments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software.

Ideal, but not essential…

• 2–5+ years of experience in FF&E sales, preferably in education or public sector projects.
• Experience with public procurement or education tenders.
• Knowledge of inclusive and ergonomic design in education environments.
• Can confidently produce a full site survey, including the ability to secure precise site measurements.
• Familiarity with space planning software such as Revit is ideal.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, safety, and sustainability policies in education.
• Understanding of furniture and equipment needs across early years, primary, secondary, and tertiary education environments.
• Ability to read floor plans and layout drawings.

If you’re looking to grow your sales career with a respected, leading company whose mission is to create positive outcomes for learners, apply now!