📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Marketing Operations Specialist
🔹 Company: Zoro
🔹 Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (On-site 2 days/week)
🔹 Category: Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: July 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing project intake and ensuring project deliverables are met on-time
- Analyzing processes and timelines to find opportunities for improvement
- Driving operational efficiencies, cost savings, and labor savings through continuous improvement and automation
- Ensuring the uptime and reliability of project intake and workflow management
- Providing consistent and reliable Workfront reports
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of marketing tactics, processes, and technology to effectively communicate complex concepts between teams and levels within the organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage project intake, project and task routing, and ensure project deliverables are met on-time
✅ Analyze the workload feature in Workfront and assist with adjusting project timelines based on team availability
✅ Analyze processes and timelines to find opportunities for improvement
✅ Ensure processes are standardized, documented, and adhered to in order to ensure repeatable, high-quality outcomes for the department
✅ Drive operational efficiencies, cost savings, and labor savings through continuous improvement and automation of manual work
✅ Ensure the uptime and reliability of project intake and workflow management
✅ Analyze and provide consistent and reliable Workfront reports that showcase and/or analyze the number of projects, time spent on project types, at risk projects and tasks, etc.
✅ Assist with Workfront configuration as new project types and team members come onboard
ASSUMPTION: This role may require occasional overtime or weekend work to ensure project deadlines are met.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree
Experience: 2+ years of experience in marketing and project management
Required Skills:
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Experience with spreadsheets and building presentations
- Ability to understand marketing tactics, processes, and technology
- The ability to identify and resolve project issues, adapt to changing priorities, and manage risks
Preferred Skills:
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in English is likely required for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $58,000 - $96,700 USD per year
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment
- Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents
- 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist and Wellhub portal membership to support mental and emotional wellbeing
- At least 18 paid time off days annually for full-time employees and 6 company holidays per year
- 6% company contribution to a 401K Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required
- Tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and access to financial counseling, education, and tools
- Charitable Gift Program - match gift to an eligible educational, cultural, community health, and human service organizations
- Employee discounts and admission to various civic and cultural institutions around Chicago
- Zoro office perks including coffee bar, beer on tap, unlimited snacks, access to the onsite gym, and incredible city skyline views
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangement (on-site 2 days/week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Marketing Operations Specialist with 2-5 years of experience in the Chicago area.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Zoro is a leading eCommerce platform offering nearly 15 million tools, parts, and supplies for business customers. Launched in 2011, Zoro brought a B2C-like experience to the B2B industry and continues to be at the forefront of digital innovation at the intersection of technology and distribution.
Company Size: Zoro has grown rapidly to over $1 billion in annual revenue and has a team of 715 employees.
Founded: Zoro was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Company Description:
- Zoro is obsessed with its customers and leverages the latest tools and technologies to make it easy for them to shop for everything they need to make their businesses go.
- The company offers millions of unique products for every job and is constantly adding more to its selection.
- Zoro is a digital-first business that has developed into a destination for searching, ordering, and shipping supplies and tools quickly and seamlessly.
Company Specialties:
- eCommerce
- Small business supplies
- Industrial supplies
- Electrical & lighting
- Office supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Plumbing supplies
- Auto & truck supplies
- Power tools
- Hand tools
- MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations)
- Manufacturing supplies
Company Website: https://www.zoro.com/
ASSUMPTION: Zoro's focus on customer obsession and continuous improvement aligns well with the role of a Marketing Operations Specialist.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is an individual contributor position reporting to the Sr. Manager of Marketing Operations & Technology. It offers opportunities for growth and development within the Marketing Operations & Technology team.
Reporting Structure: The Marketing Operations Specialist will report directly to the Sr. Manager of Marketing Operations & Technology and work closely with various cross-department stakeholders and teams within the Technology organization.
Work Arrangement: This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, requiring employees to be on-site at least two days per week. The remaining workdays can be performed remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- As Zoro continues to grow, there may be opportunities for this role to expand in scope or advance to a management position.
- Zoro's focus on learning and development provides opportunities for team members to grow both personally and professionally.
- The company's culture of winning and learning together encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing, which can lead to new opportunities and insights.
ASSUMPTION: While this role is an individual contributor position, there are opportunities for growth and development within the Marketing Operations & Technology team and across the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Zoro's Chicago headquarters is located in the Accenture Tower, offering a modern and collaborative work environment with city skyline views.
Office Location(s): 500 W Madison St, Chicago, Illinois 60661, US
Geographic Context:
- Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States and offers a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities.
- The city's central location and extensive public transportation system make it an attractive place to live and work.
- Chicago's vibrant business community provides ample networking opportunities for professionals in various industries.
Work Schedule: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in scheduling, with employees required to be on-site at least two days per week.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a good balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, allowing employees to optimize their work environment for productivity and personal preferences.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and team members
- Final interview with the Sr. Manager of Marketing Operations & Technology
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Ability to understand and communicate complex marketing concepts
- Experience with project management and process improvement
- Cultural fit and alignment with Zoro's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with project management, process improvement, and marketing tactics.
- Research Zoro's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit for the role and the organization.
ATS Keywords: Marketing Operations, Project Management, Process Improvement, Workfront, Marketing Tactics, Customer Obsession, Continuous Improvement
ASSUMPTION: Zoro's interview process is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best candidate for the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Workfront
- Spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets)
- Presentation software (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in the listed tools and technologies is likely required for this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Winning & Learning Together
- Being Customer Obsessed
- Being Transparent
- Taking Ownership
Work Style:
- Collaborative and supportive team environment
- Fast-paced and dynamic work environment
- Focus on continuous improvement and innovation
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment?
- Are you comfortable working with complex marketing concepts and communicating them effectively?
- Do you have a strong track record of driving operational efficiencies and improving processes?
ASSUMPTION: Zoro's culture is grounded in values that guide how team members show up every day, creating a supportive and collaborative work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in maintaining consistent communication and collaboration with team members who are working remotely.
- The fast-paced and dynamic work environment may require employees to adapt quickly to changing priorities and project timelines.
- The role may require occasional overtime or weekend work to ensure project deadlines are met.
- The Chicago area may present challenges in finding affordable housing and navigating public transportation.
ASSUMPTION: While Zoro offers a supportive and collaborative work environment, there may be challenges that arise from the hybrid work arrangement and the fast-paced nature of the role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Marketing Operations Specialist vs. Marketing Project Manager: The Marketing Operations Specialist role focuses more on process improvement and driving operational efficiencies, while the Marketing Project Manager role is more focused on managing project timelines and resources.
- Industry-specific context: Zoro's focus on customer obsession and continuous improvement sets it apart from other eCommerce platforms in the industry.
- Career path comparison: The Marketing Operations Specialist role offers opportunities for growth and development within the Marketing Operations & Technology team and across the organization.
ASSUMPTION: While the Marketing Operations Specialist role shares similarities with other marketing operations roles, Zoro's focus on customer obsession and continuous improvement sets it apart from other organizations in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Implementing a new project intake process to streamline workflows and improve efficiency
- Analyzing project timelines and resource allocation to identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings
- Developing and implementing a new process for managing project risks and issues
ASSUMPTION: The Marketing Operations Specialist role offers a variety of projects that focus on process improvement, driving operational efficiencies, and ensuring project deliverables are met on-time.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the Marketing Operations & Technology team?
- How does Zoro support the growth and development of its team members in this role?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the Marketing Operations & Technology team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Zoro measure the success of the Marketing Operations & Technology team, and how will this role contribute to those metrics?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for someone to succeed in this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and your commitment to understanding the organization's culture and values.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare for the interview by researching Zoro's company culture and values, and practicing your responses to common interview questions.
- If selected for the final interview, be prepared to discuss your experience with project management, process improvement, and marketing tactics.
- Follow up with the hiring manager after the interview to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
