📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Manager, Sales Account Management
🔹 Company: SC Johnson
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (4 days on-site)
🔹 Category: Sales & Business Development
🔹 Date Posted: May 7, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (1 day remote)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing SCJ business in Drug/Military Channels
- Building strong customer relationships and driving sales growth
- Identifying and executing growth opportunities through effective business planning
- Collaborating cross-functionally to achieve sales, market share, and profit growth
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong analytical skills, and the ability to build and maintain effective customer relationships.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Directing all activities of assigned account to achieve growth objectives
✅ Building strong customer relationships and driving sales growth
✅ Identifying ongoing distribution, promotion, and merchandising opportunities
✅ Developing recommendations and solutions aligned with corporate and customer goals
✅ Collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of customer interaction and requires strong communication and negotiation skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: 5+ years of relevant business experience (or advanced degree with 3+ years)
Required Skills:
- Sales experience in a CPG company
- Experience in category/shelf management or trade marketing
- Working knowledge of consumer insights and application potential
- Demonstrated proficiency in the use of the Plan It tool
- Ability to penetrate the account at all levels, adding value to the process
- Previous ABM/MABM (internal or external) experience and proficiency in computer skills and financial knowledge
- Understanding of the customer’s business models and key drivers that impact the customer’s P&L
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the Drug Channel within Household or Health and Wellness categories
- Category/shelf management or trade marketing experience, syndicated data analysis, internal planning, and forecasting system, and negotiation
- Working knowledge of consumer and shopper insights and application potential
- Demonstrated ability to penetrate a customer at relevant levels and add value
- Previous ABM/MABM (internal or external) experience and proficiency in computer skills and financial knowledge
- Understanding of the Drug Channel or Walgreens business model and the key drivers that impact the P&L at the customer and SCJ
- Ability to balance risk versus ROI, balancing critical financial needs of SCJ and Walgreens
- Demonstrated experience interfacing with buyers and building customer relationships
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on sales account management, strong sales and customer relationship skills are essential.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: 102,080.00 USD - 133,980.00 USD (based on experience and performance)
Benefits:
- Subsidized health care plans
- Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Flexible work arrangements
- Vacation purchase options
- Recreation and fitness centers
- Childcare
- Counseling services
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. The total compensation package may include bonuses, long-term incentives, matching 401(k) contributions, and profit sharing based on company profitability, job level, and years of service.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: SC Johnson is a leading manufacturer of household cleaning products, home storage, air care, pest control, shoe care, and professional products.
Company Size: SC Johnson has 13,000 employees and operations in 70 countries, making it a large, global organization.
Founded: 1886, in Racine, Wisconsin, USA
Company Description:
- Family-owned and led company with a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility
- Iconic brands include OFF!®, Raid®, Glade®, Windex®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Ziploc®, Mrs. Meyer’s® Clean Day, method®, Autan®, Baygon®, Mr Muscle®, Duck®, and Lysoform®
- Global presence with operations in 70 countries and products in homes, schools, and businesses worldwide
Company Specialties:
- Chemical products
- Home cleaning
- Air care
- Fast-moving consumer goods
- Consumer packaged goods
- Pest control
- Home storage
- Shoe care
Company Website: www.scjohnson.com
ASSUMPTION: SC Johnson's large size and global presence offer opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level management role with potential for growth into senior management
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Sales Manager and Director
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (4 days on-site, 1 day remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a Sales Manager or Director role
- Expansion of responsibilities based on performance and company growth
- Cross-functional project and collaboration opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear path for career progression within the sales organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (4 days on-site, 1 day remote)
Office Location(s): West Loop, Chicago
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is a major city with a diverse population and a strong job market
- The West Loop neighborhood is known for its vibrant food scene, cultural attractions, and proximity to downtown
- Chicago has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week)
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers flexibility while maintaining a strong on-site presence for collaboration and team building.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final round interview with the Director
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales and customer relationship skills
- Business acumen and strategic thinking
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Adaptability and resilience
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant sales and customer relationship experience
- Prepare examples of successful sales strategies and customer relationship-building tactics
- Research SC Johnson's products, customers, and competitors to demonstrate your industry knowledge
- Practice common sales and customer service interview questions
ATS Keywords: Sales, Account Management, Customer Relationships, Business Planning, Data Analysis, Negotiation, Merchandising, Promotion Development, Supply Chain Management, Forecasting, Trade Marketing, Category Management, Consumer Insights, Financial Knowledge, Cross-Functional Partnership, Deal Management, Distribution
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's sales and customer relationship skills, as well as their ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Salesforce or similar CRM software
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
- Plan It tool for sales planning and forecasting
- Syndicated data analysis tools (e.g., Nielsen, IRI)
ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies may vary depending on the specific needs of the role and the company's internal systems.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Family-owned and led with a strong commitment to family values
- Focus on sustainability and social responsibility
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Integrity and ethical behavior
Work Style:
- Hybrid work arrangement (4 days on-site, 1 day remote)
- Strong focus on customer relationships and sales growth
- Cross-functional collaboration and teamwork
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
- Results-oriented and goal-driven culture
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you balance the needs of SCJ and the customer in your sales strategies?
- How do you adapt your communication style to build effective relationships with customers at various levels?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment?
ASSUMPTION: SC Johnson's culture emphasizes family values, sustainability, collaboration, and innovation, with a strong focus on customer relationships and sales growth.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing customer expectations and balancing SCJ and customer needs
- Adapting to a hybrid work environment and maintaining strong on-site presence
- Developing and executing effective business plans in a dynamic market
- Building and maintaining strong customer relationships in a competitive landscape
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
ASSUMPTION: The role presents unique challenges that require strong sales and customer relationship skills, as well as the ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role focuses on account management within the Drug Channel, while similar roles may focus on other channels or industries
- SC Johnson's global presence and commitment to sustainability set it apart from other CPG companies
- Career progression in this role may involve advancing to a Sales Manager or Director position within SC Johnson
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other sales account management positions, its focus on the Drug Channel and SC Johnson's unique culture and global presence make it a distinct opportunity.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic business plan to drive sales growth in a key customer account
- Analyzing syndicated data to identify trends and opportunities in the Drug Channel
- Negotiating and executing a promotional agreement with a major customer
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the key responsibilities and required skills for the Associate Manager, Sales Account Management role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the company support the growth and development of its sales team members?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does the company measure and track the success of its sales strategies?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with the Drug Channel customers, and how does the company address them?
- How does the company foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork among its sales team members?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help you better understand the role, the team, and the company culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant sales and customer relationship experience
- Prepare a cover letter explaining your interest in the role and how your skills and experience make you a strong fit
- Research SC Johnson's products, customers, and competitors to demonstrate your industry knowledge
- Practice common sales and customer service interview questions
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
