Customer Marketing Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Customer Marketing Manager

🔹 Company: Gordon Food Service

🔹 Location: Springfield, Ohio

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: May 12, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading a team of culinary and product specialists to enhance customer relationships
• Developing business plans and targets for individual specialists
• Engaging with key customers and industry events to maintain visibility
• Hiring, developing, and retaining staff, creating succession plans and developing the next generation of leaders

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, leadership, and hands-on customer engagement. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in marketing or sales, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with both customers and staff.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead and develop a team of culinary and product specialists to drive customer success

✅ Develop business plans and targets for individual specialists, focusing on areas such as team building, staffing, profitability, and compliance

✅ Engage with key existing and future customers, visiting them regularly to understand their needs and provide tailored solutions

✅ Participate in food shows, regional customer events, and customer trips to headquarters to maintain visibility with customers, segments, or associations

✅ Collaborate with the sales director to lead projects and work hand-in-hand with the sales team

ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, team leadership, and customer-facing activities. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic environment and adaptable to the diverse needs of customers and team members.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in marketing or sales, with a proven track record of driving results

Required Skills:

• Proven leadership and team-building skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strategic and creative thinking
• Ability to work hands-on with staff and customers
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the foodservice industry
• Fluency in Spanish

ASSUMPTION: While experience in the foodservice industry is not required, it would be beneficial for the candidate to have a basic understanding of the industry and its trends.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

• Generous 401(k) matching program
• Financial rewards for performance
• Low-cost benefit options for health and future planning

Working Hours: Full-time, with the ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a marketing manager role with 2-5 years of experience. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal salary structure.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Gordon Food Service operates in the food and beverage services industry, focusing on broadline food distribution and retail stores. The company serves a wide range of customers, including restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other foodservice operators.

Company Size: With over 10,000 employees, Gordon Food Service is a large organization that offers numerous opportunities for career growth and development. As a family-operated company, it fosters a culture of strong values and commitment to its people.

Founded: 1897, in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Company Description:

• Gordon Food Service is the largest family-operated broadline food distribution company in North America
• The company is committed to providing excellent, expertise, and quality products to its customers
• Gordon Food Service values its customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce

Company Specialties:

• Foodservice distribution
• Retail stores
• Fundraising

Company Website: http://www.gfs.com

ASSUMPTION: Gordon Food Service is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the foodservice industry. Its large size and extensive customer base offer numerous opportunities for growth and development within the organization.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level management

Reporting Structure: The Customer Marketing Manager will lead a team of culinary and product specialists and report directly to the Sales Director

Work Arrangement: On-site, with the ability to work remotely for certain events or meetings

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a senior marketing or sales role within the organization
• Expansion of responsibilities to include additional regions or customer segments
• Development of leadership and management skills through team-building and mentoring opportunities

ASSUMPTION: The Customer Marketing Manager role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the organization. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to expand their skills and take on additional responsibilities as they progress in their careers.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Corporate office environment

Office Location(s): 4980 Gateway Blvd, Springfield OH

Geographic Context:

• Springfield, Ohio, is located in the central part of the state, approximately 45 minutes west of Columbus
• The area offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with a population of around 60,000 people
• The cost of living in Springfield is relatively low compared to other major metropolitan areas in the United States

Work Schedule: Full-time, with the ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed

ASSUMPTION: The Springfield, Ohio, office provides a supportive and collaborative work environment, with easy access to major transportation routes and nearby amenities.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members
• Final interview with the Sales Director

Key Assessment Areas:

• Leadership and team-building skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Strategic and creative thinking
• Industry knowledge and understanding of customer needs

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the foodservice industry and Gordon Food Service's mission and values
• Prepare examples of your leadership and team-building skills, as well as your ability to drive results through strategic planning and execution

ATS Keywords: Marketing, Sales, Leadership, Team Building, Customer Engagement, Strategic Planning, Foodservice Industry, Customer Marketing

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, and candidates should take the time to tailor their application materials to demonstrate their fit for the position and the company's values.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)

ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable using a variety of tools and technologies to support their work, including Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software. Familiarity with project management tools is also beneficial for this role.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-focused
• Integrity
• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Results-driven and focused on achieving targets
• Adaptable and responsive to customer needs

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate customer focus in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a change in customer needs or market conditions?
• How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment?

ASSUMPTION: Gordon Food Service values candidates who align with their company values and can thrive in a collaborative and customer-focused work environment. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate their fit with the company's culture and values throughout the interview process.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing a team with diverse skills and backgrounds
• Balancing strategic planning with hands-on customer engagement
• Adapting to the unique needs and preferences of individual customers
• Meeting and exceeding sales targets and performance metrics

ASSUMPTION: The Customer Marketing Manager role presents a unique set of challenges, including the need to balance strategic planning with hands-on customer engagement and the ability to adapt to the diverse needs of customers and team members. Successful candidates will be comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment and able to thrive under pressure.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other marketing roles, this position requires a strong focus on customer engagement and relationship-building
• The foodservice industry is highly competitive and dynamic, with a constant need to adapt to changing customer needs and market conditions
• This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within the organization

ASSUMPTION: The Customer Marketing Manager role is unique in its focus on customer engagement and relationship-building, requiring a balance of strategic planning and hands-on customer support. Candidates should be prepared to adapt to the dynamic nature of the foodservice industry and the need to build strong relationships with customers and team members.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a customer engagement plan to increase sales and market share in a specific region
• Leading a team to create and implement a targeted marketing campaign for a new product launch
• Conducting customer satisfaction surveys and using the results to inform business plans and strategies

ASSUMPTION: The Customer Marketing Manager role involves a wide range of projects and initiatives, from strategic planning and execution to hands-on customer engagement and relationship-building. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate their ability to lead and manage projects of varying scope and complexity.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's approach to customer engagement and relationship-building?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its marketing and sales teams?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does the company measure the success of its marketing and sales efforts?
• What is the company's approach to work-life balance and flexibility?

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is an opportunity for candidates to learn more about the company's culture, values, and approach to marketing and sales. Candidates should come prepared with thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in and understanding of the role and the company.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Gordon Food Service careers page
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your leadership and team-building skills, as well as your ability to drive results through strategic planning and execution
• Follow up with the HR department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.