📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Customer Marketing Manager
🔹 Company: ACCO Brands
🔹 Location: Lake Zurich, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (2 days in-office)
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: April 11, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-level (3-5 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid option
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Liaising between Sales and Marketing to align strategies
- Developing the broader ACCO story and linking consumer trends with brand strategy
- Managing customer communications across various channels
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure consistent brand messaging
- Analyzing data and communicating insights to internal teams and senior management
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of both marketing and sales principles, as well as the ability to analyze data and communicate insights effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Serve as the liaison between Sales and Marketing, ensuring marketing efforts align with overall company strategy
✅ Manage customer communications across various channels to maintain strong relationships
✅ Collaborate with Creative Services and Content COE teams to align brand messaging consistently across all channels
✅ Work with the Analytics team to communicate insights and recommendations both verbally and in the form of reports/presentations to internal teams and senior management
✅ Stay up-to-date with changing digital media and consumer macro industry trends
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and requires strong communication and interpersonal skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
Experience: 3-5 years of experience in a marketing or sales role, preferably with a consumer products company dealing with omni-channel customers
Required Skills:
- Proficient with MS Office suite, PowerPoint, and Excel
- Experience with Tableau or other data visualization tools
- Strong leadership skills and passion for evolving digital environments
- Detail-oriented with strong organization skills
- Hypothesis-driven problem-solving skills
- Ability to connect insights and recommendations to support brand goals and business objectives
- Agility and flexibility to adjust to changing priorities
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with ACCO Brands or similar products
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: While a Bachelor’s degree is preferred, equivalent work experience may be considered. Some experience with data visualization tools is required, but the level of proficiency may vary.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 per year
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee discounts on ACCO Brands products
- Tuition reimbursement
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Hybrid schedule: Tuesday and Wednesday in-office, Lake Zurich, IL
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a mid-level marketing role in the consumer products industry. Benefits may vary based on the employee's location and length of service.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: ACCO Brands operates in the consumer goods industry, with a focus on office products, gaming accessories, and other branded products. The company has a strong global presence and a diverse portfolio of well-known brands.
Company Size: ACCO Brands is a mid-sized company with approximately 5,000 employees worldwide. This size allows for a more personal work environment while still offering the resources and opportunities of a larger organization.
Founded: ACCO Brands was founded in 1958 and has since grown into a global leader in its industry, with a rich history of innovation and industry leadership.
Company Description:
- ACCO Brands is a global leader in branded academic, consumer, and business products
- The company designs, markets, manufactures, and sells branded products under well-known brands such as Five Star, Swingline, Quartet, and Kensington
- ACCO Brands is committed to delivering exceptional value to its customers by providing unique, cutting-edge, branded products
Company Specialties:
- Office products
- Gaming accessories
- Branded consumer and business products
Company Website: www.accobrands.com
ASSUMPTION: ACCO Brands' focus on branded products and strong global presence provides opportunities for growth and exposure to diverse markets.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level of the marketing career path, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.
Reporting Structure: The Customer Marketing Manager reports directly to the Director of Marketing.
Work Arrangement: This role operates on a hybrid schedule, with two days in the office (Tuesday and Wednesday) and the remaining days working remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a senior marketing role within the company
- Expansion of responsibilities to include additional brands or product categories
- Opportunities to work on special projects or initiatives
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides a balance between collaboration and flexibility, allowing employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: The ACCO Brands Lake Zurich office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and productivity.
Office Location(s): Lake Zurich, Illinois, United States
Geographic Context:
- Lake Zurich is a suburban community located approximately 40 miles northwest of Chicago
- The area offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural attractions
- Lake Zurich is home to a diverse population and a strong sense of community
Work Schedule: The hybrid work schedule allows for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.
ASSUMPTION: The Lake Zurich office location provides a convenient and comfortable work environment, with easy access to nearby amenities and attractions.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the marketing team
- Final interview with the Director of Marketing
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing and sales knowledge
- Data analysis and presentation skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with ACCO Brands values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant marketing and sales experience in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and your fit with ACCO Brands
- Prepare examples of data analysis and presentation skills for the interview
- Research ACCO Brands and its products to show your enthusiasm and knowledge
ATS Keywords: Marketing, Sales, Customer, Data, Analysis, Presentation, Communication, Collaboration, Brand, Strategy, Consumer Trends, Retail Partners
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, with a focus on marketing and sales knowledge and data analysis abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel)
- Tableau or other data visualization tools
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is essential for success in this role, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency during the interview process.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-focused
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Accountable
- Respectful
Work Style:
- Data-driven
- Adaptable
- Team-oriented
- Results-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with changing consumer trends and digital media landscapes?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to changing priorities or circumstances in a marketing role?
- How do you ensure that your communication style is effective and engaging for both internal and external stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: ACCO Brands values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates who can demonstrate their alignment with these values will be well-positioned for success in the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Balancing the needs of internal stakeholders (e.g., sales, marketing, product teams) with those of external customers
- Adapting to changes in company strategy or market conditions
- Ensuring consistent brand messaging across multiple channels and touchpoints
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require a strong, adaptable, and results-driven individual to succeed.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional marketing roles, this position focuses heavily on customer communications and retail partner relationships
- This role requires a strong understanding of both marketing and sales principles, as well as the ability to analyze data and communicate insights effectively
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior marketing positions within the company or expanded responsibilities across multiple brands or product categories
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of marketing and sales responsibilities, with a focus on customer communications and data-driven decision-making.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive customer communication strategy for a new product launch
- Analyzing customer data to identify trends and opportunities for targeted marketing campaigns
- Collaborating with the sales team to create co-branded marketing materials that highlight the benefits of ACCO Brands products for retail partners
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and required skills for the Customer Marketing Manager role at ACCO Brands.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the company's long-term strategy for growth and how this role contributes to that vision?
- How does the marketing team collaborate with other departments, such as sales and product development, to ensure alignment and success?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the company in the next 1-2 years, and how can this role help address them?
- How does ACCO Brands support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role fit into that philosophy?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the company's culture, growth prospects, and commitment to employee development and work-life balance.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the following link: https://careers.acco.com/job/Lake-Zurich-Customer-Marketing-Manager-IL-60047/1281589100/
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant marketing and sales experience, as well as any data analysis or presentation skills
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your understanding of the role and your fit with ACCO Brands
- Prepare examples of data analysis and presentation skills for the interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
