Application Guide
How to Apply for Regional Partner Sales Manager – Northeast
at Quilt
🏢 About Quilt
Quilt is a fast-growing climate tech company reinventing home heating and cooling with smart, ductless heat pump systems that are both energy-efficient and beautifully designed. Working here means joining a mission-driven team that's making fossil-free home comfort accessible to millions, with a culture that values autonomy, impact, and collaboration.
About This Role
As the Regional Partner Sales Manager for the Northeast, you'll be the face of Quilt to HVAC contractors in one of the most important heating markets in the US. Your work directly drives the transition away from fossil fuels by signing, enabling, and growing a network of partner installers, making you a critical linchpin in Quilt's go-to-market strategy.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the sales team, then hitting the road to visit a partner contractor in Massachusetts to troubleshoot a recent installation and provide training on Quilt's new smart features. After lunch, you'd cold-call a list of unaffiliated HVAC dealers in New Jersey, followed by a virtual pipeline review with your manager before heading to an industry networking event in the evening.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Quilt Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of channel sales or business development experience specifically in HVAC, building products, or a related trade industry, with proven ability to hunt and close new contractor partners.
- Possesses deep technical fluency in ductless heat pump systems, including mini-split technology, installation processes, and typical sales cycles in the Northeast climate.
- Brings an existing network of HVAC contractors, dealers, or distributors across the Northeast (NY, NJ, PA, CT, MA, etc.) and can leverage those relationships immediately.
- Demonstrates a hunter-farmer mindset—comfortable with aggressive outbound prospecting and also skilled at nurturing long-term partner relationships to drive recurring install volume.
📝 Tips for Applying to Quilt
Highlight specific examples of HVAC contractor partnerships you've built or grown, including metrics like number of partners onboarded, revenue impact, or install volume increases.
Explicitly mention your familiarity with ductless heat pumps and mini-splits—use technical terms like 'multi-zone systems,' 'line sets,' 'refrigerant types,' and 'cold climate performance' to demonstrate fluency.
If you have a network in the Northeast, name-drop specific contractors, distributors (e.g., Ferguson, Winsupply), or trade associations (e.g., ACCA, NEFI) in your resume or cover letter.
Show you understand Quilt's product: mention its smart thermostat integration, sleek design, and energy efficiency benefits in your application materials.
Tailor your resume to emphasize territory management, travel flexibility (50-75%), and self-directed work style—use phrases like 'owned the Northeast territory' or 'managed a pipeline of 50+ partners.'
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for Quilt's mission to reduce fossil fuel reliance through smart home climate technology.", "Your proven track record in HVAC channel sales, including specific numbers (e.g., 'signed 20 new contractor partners in Year 1, driving 30% revenue growth').", 'Your deep knowledge of ductless heat pump systems and how they differ from traditional HVAC, especially in cold climates like the Northeast.', 'Your existing network of HVAC contractors in the region and your ability to hit the ground running without a ramp-up period.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Quilt's website and blog to understand their product features (e.g., the Quilt Hub, multi-zone control, energy savings) and their value proposition for homeowners and contractors.
- → Look up recent news or press releases about Quilt's funding, partnerships, or expansion plans—this shows you're invested in their growth trajectory.
- → Study the competitive landscape: understand how Quilt compares to other ductless heat pump brands (Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu) and smart HVAC startups (e.g., Gradient, Aira).
- → Familiarize yourself with the Northeast HVAC market: key climate considerations (cold-climate heat pumps), major trade shows (AHR Expo, NEFI), and common contractor pain points (labor shortages, rebate programs).
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't focus only on 'hunting' without demonstrating ability to also 'farm'—Quilt needs someone who can grow existing partners through training and support.
- Avoid generic statements like 'I love sales'—be specific about HVAC and channel sales experience.
- Don't underestimate the technical knowledge required; failing to demonstrate fluency in ductless heat pumps will be a dealbreaker. Do not say you'll 'learn on the job'—they need expertise from day one.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!