JOB DETAILS

Independent Sales Representative - WI / MN / IL

CompanyHighlights for Children
LocationUnited States
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMarch 7, 2026
About The Company
What started in 1946 as a children's magazine devoted to "Fun with a Purpose,"​ is today a global family media brand. With an ever-growing family of products, from digital apps to games to international books and magazines, Highlights remains dedicated to helping children grow to become their best selves - curious, confident, creative and caring. For 75 years, "Highlights for Children"​ has left an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of tens of millions of children. It has improved reading skills; it has helped define and develop values like honesty, thoughtfulness and tolerance; and it has entertained and enlightened. Highlights is dedicated to helping children grow in basic skills and knowledge, in creativeness, in ability to think and reason, in sensitivity to others, in high ideals and worthy ways of living.
About the Role

Independent Sales Consultant, Superkids

**WI, MN, or IL required location** 

Zaner-Bloser is an educational solutions company specializing in delivering instruction focused on developing foundational skills for PreK–6 students in ELA & Math. Our programs include Superkids, Building Fact Fluency, Kickstart Number Sense, Spelling Connections, Zaner-Bloser Handwriting, and more. As a member of the Highlights Family of Companies, we strive to always do what's right for children and make a significant contribution to their education.

Position Summary: 

Zaner Bloser is seeking a highly motivated independent sales contractor that has a passion for core literacy solutions and a mission of helping every student become their best selves. The Zaner-Bloser Independent Sales Consultant will build strong relationships with educators to grow Superkids new business and achieve revenue targets in the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northern Illinois region. The successful candidate will be an expert in K-5 literacy, self-motivated, ambitious, collaborate with their national adoptions team partners, and reside in territory.

The ideal candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoy owning and running their business. This role offers the exclusive opportunity to represent and grow the sales of Zaner-Bloser’s core product line within the assigned territory. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Achieve annual revenue goals.
  • Ability to manage complex sales cycles (3-9+ months) and multiple buying personas across an account.
  • Manage all aspects of the new business sales cycle (lead generation, presentation, commitment, etc.)
  • Utilize all forms of lead-generating practices (cold-calls, referrals, networking, etc.) and effectively qualify viable new business opportunities. 
  • Develop a strong knowledge of Zaner-Bloser products within the Superkids bookbag their capabilities along with an understanding of competitive products. 
  • Uncover prospect needs and goals to deliver a solution that aligns with their needs.
  • Create strong relationships with all stakeholders throughout strategic accounts. 
  • Collaborate frequently with colleagues throughout the organization. 
  • Develop and manage a sales pipeline that leads to closed revenue and quota attainment.
  • Demonstrate a hunter-mentality while building strategic partnerships.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelors’ Degree 
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience selling educational solutions to K-5 schools and districts.
  • Experience selling a core reading program with demonstrated knowledge of sales cycle and market trends.
  • Proven track record of consistently achieving new business revenue targets. 
  • Entrepreneurial spirit: Drive, Initiative, persistence, flexibility, and resilience
  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills 
  • Experience with Customer Relationship Management Tools (Salesforce preferred)
  • Experience with strategic territory planning
  • Preference for candidates with well established relationships

Compensation:

As an independent contractor, you will be compensated via commissions on all sales in the assigned territory for the product line you represent. This role does not include a base salary or benefits. Independent contractors are responsible for the costs associated with travel and general business expenses.

Highlights for Children provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. 



Key Skills
SalesLead GenerationRelationship BuildingRevenue AchievementSales Cycle ManagementProduct KnowledgeNeeds AssessmentPipeline ManagementCollaborationHunter MentalityStrategic PlanningEntrepreneurial SpiritCommunicationSelf-MotivationPersistenceFlexibility
Categories
SalesEducationConsulting
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
The Independent Sales Consultant will be responsible for building strong relationships with educators to grow new business for the Superkids product line and achieve assigned revenue targets within Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northern Illinois. This involves managing the entire new business sales cycle, from lead generation through closing deals, while maintaining deep product knowledge.
📋Job Type
temporary
📊Experience Level
5-10
💼Company Size
343
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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