📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Digital Marketing Associate
🔹 Company: Smalley Steel Ring Company
🔹 Location: Lake Zurich, IL
🔹 Job Type: Full Time
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-28
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Supporting global digital campaigns across multiple channels
- Managing and updating online content for various websites
- Monitoring and reporting on key performance metrics (KPIs)
- Collaborating with internal teams and external vendors
- Conducting keyword research and assisting with SEO strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of creative and analytical skills, with a focus on data-driven decision making and a passion for digital marketing trends.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Assist in the planning, execution, and optimization of digital marketing campaigns
✅ Manage and update online content for all websites (global corporate websites, ecommerce site, and directory listings)
✅ Support domestic and foreign pay-per-click and programmatic campaigns
✅ Monitor and report on key performance metrics (KPIs) across digital channels
✅ Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to ensure brand consistency and campaign alignment
✅ Conduct keyword research and assist with SEO strategies to improve organic search rankings
✅ Stay up to date with digital marketing trends, AI, and best practices
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of multitasking and requires strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business, or a related field
Experience: 2-3 years of experience in digital marketing or a related role (internships count!)
Required Skills:
- Familiarity with digital marketing tools such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, SEMRush, or similar platforms
- Basic understanding of SEO and SEM media strategies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Highly organized with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects
- Creative thinker with a passion for marketing and innovation
Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of HTML/CSS and CMS tools like Drupal
- Experience with marketing automation platforms and Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is likely expected for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k match, Life insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, PTO, and more!
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a digital marketing associate role with 2-3 years of experience in the United States.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees
Founded: 1918
Company Description:
- Smalley is the global manufacturing leader of precision metal formed products
- Known for their Spirolox® retaining rings and Crest-to-Crest® wave springs
- Supplies to industries including aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, robotics, and industrial machinery
Company Specialties:
- Custom Rings
- Custom Springs
- Free Samples
- Wave Springs
- Retaining Rings
- Constant Section Rings
- Snap Rings
- No Tooling Charges
- Edgewinding
- Fasteners
- Compression Springs
- Engineering Application Support
- Nested Spirawave
- Self-Locking Rings
- Hoopster Ring
- Single-Turn Wave Spring
- Wavo Wave Spring
- Linear Wave Spring
- Laminar Seal
- WaveRing
- Interlaced Wave Spring
- ISO 9001 Certification
- fasteners
- and engineering
Company Website: http://www.smalley.com
ASSUMPTION: Smalley Steel Ring Company is a well-established and respected manufacturer in the industrial machinery sector, with a strong focus on innovation and quality.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with opportunities for growth and professional development
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Manager
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with standard business hours
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career advancement within the marketing department
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and campaigns
- possibility to gain experience in international marketing
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a good balance of stability and growth potential within a large, established company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate headquarters with a manufacturing facility
Office Location(s): Lake Zurich, IL (headquarters), Coignières, FR, and Tianjin, CN
Geographic Context:
- Lake Zurich, IL is a suburb of Chicago, offering a mix of urban and rural living
- Coignières, FR is located near Paris, providing easy access to cultural attractions and international travel
- Tianjin, CN is a major port city with a rich history and cultural heritage
Work Schedule: Standard business hours, with flexibility for occasional remote work or adjusted hours
ASSUMPTION: The Lake Zurich office is likely the primary location for this role, with occasional travel to other offices or client sites as needed.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screen with the HR department
- In-person or video interview with the Marketing Manager
- Final interview with the Director of Marketing
- Background check and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Digital marketing skills and experience
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with company values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant digital marketing skills and experiences
- Prepare examples of successful digital marketing campaigns you've worked on
- Research Smalley's products, industry, and competition to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
- Prepare questions to ask during the interview to showcase your interest and initiative
ATS Keywords: Digital Marketing, SEO, PPC, Content Management, Google Analytics, Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, SEMRush, Communication, Organization, Creativity, Innovation
ASSUMPTION: The application process may involve assessments or case studies to evaluate your digital marketing skills and problem-solving abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Google Analytics
- Google Ads
- Microsoft Ads
- SEMRush
- HTML/CSS
- CMS tools like Drupal
- Marketing automation platforms
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is required for this role, with opportunities to learn and gain experience with new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Quality
- Customer Focus
- Collaboration
- Integrity
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Team-oriented and collaborative
- Data-driven and analytical
- Creative and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with digital marketing trends and best practices?
- Can you provide an example of a successful digital marketing campaign you've worked on, and what role you played in its success?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment?
ASSUMPTION: Smalley values employees who are proactive, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning and improvement.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Keeping up with the latest digital marketing trends and tools
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders, both internally and externally
- Occasional travel to other offices or client sites
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and can be managed effectively with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Digital Marketing Specialist or Coordinator, but with a greater emphasis on global campaign management and SEO
- Unlike other digital marketing roles, this position requires a strong understanding of industrial machinery manufacturing and related industries
- Career progression may involve moving into a more senior digital marketing role or transitioning into a related field, such as product management or business development
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of digital marketing and industry-specific experience, providing a strong foundation for a career in marketing or a related field.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a global digital marketing campaign to launch a new product line
- Conducting keyword research and optimizing website content to improve organic search rankings for a specific region
- Managing and updating online content for multiple websites, ensuring brand consistency and compliance with accessibility standards
ASSUMPTION: These projects are representative of the types of tasks and responsibilities associated with this role, and may vary depending on the specific needs of the company and its clients.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the digital marketing team currently, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments, such as sales, product management, or engineering?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the marketing department?
- How does Smalley support work-life balance for its employees?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, according to the hiring manager?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate your interest in the role and the company, while also providing valuable insights into the work environment and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Smalley Steel Ring Company careers page
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant digital marketing skills and experiences
- Prepare a cover letter explaining your interest in the role and the company, and how your skills and experiences make you a strong fit
- Prepare examples of successful digital marketing campaigns you've worked on, and be ready to discuss them during the interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to reiterate your interest in the role and ask about the next steps in the process
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
