Junior Account Manager

About Novelli

Are you ready to join a fast-moving, creative merchandise agency that is focused on growth, innovation, and doing things differently?

At Novelli, we create and deliver retail-ready product programs for major brands and retailers around the world. Headquartered in New Zealand, our team works across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, China and the Philippines to bring ideas to life through product development, sourcing, design, production and delivery.

We are practical, relationship-first, and obsessive about quality, timelines, clear communication and getting the details right.

Our vision is simple: to become the world’s most loved creative merchandise agency.

Our Values

These are not just words on a wall. They shape how we work every day.

Grit – Staying resilient and getting things done
Growth Mindset – Always learning, improving and evolving
Courage – Taking on challenges with confidence and honesty
Inventive – Finding smarter, better ways to solve problems
Contagious Energy – Bringing positivity, urgency and momentum to the team

If these resonate with you, keep reading.

About the Role

We are looking for a smart, organised and commercially curious Junior Account Manager to join our Chicago office.

This is a junior commercial role, not a standard administration role. You will initially support the Key Account Manager and wider sales team by helping manage project tasks, internal follow-up, CRM updates, client notes, product information and communication across departments.

For the first 6–12 months, the role will be focused heavily on learning Novelli’s systems, customers, products and ways of working. This means getting close to the detail: briefing tasks into Wrike, keeping HubSpot accurate, following up internal teams, recording clear notes, supporting customer communication and helping projects move properly from concept through to delivery.

Over time, this role is designed to grow into a stronger account management position with more client-facing and commercial responsibility.

Because Novelli is an international business, you will also need to be prepared to work outside normal office hours when required. This includes some evening work and Sunday afternoon availability to support communication with international teams.

What You’ll Do

You will work closely with the Key Account Manager and internal teams across sourcing, design, production, logistics and sales.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the Key Account Manager with day-to-day account and project activity
• Turning meeting notes, customer requests and internal discussions into clear actions
• Briefing tasks into Wrike and following them through
• Keeping HubSpot accurate and up to date
• Recording customer notes, project details, opportunities and next steps
• Liaising with sourcing, design, production and logistics teams
• Supporting simple client follow-up and project updates where required
• Helping research product options, availability and project requirements
• Supporting the preparation of quotes, presentations and customer material
• Helping ensure projects move efficiently, accurately and on time
• Identifying missing information, risks or delays early
• Learning how cost, sell price, margin, MOQ, freight, volume, timelines and customer budgets affect project success

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is ambitious, detail-focused and serious about building a career in account management and sales.

You will need:

• 1–3 years’ experience in account support, sales support, project coordination, customer service, merchandising, promotional products, packaging, consumer goods, operations or a similar commercial environment
• Strong organisation and excellent attention to detail
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence working with numbers
• Ability to understand cost, sell price, margin, quantity, budget and timing
• Strong follow-through and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• A proactive mindset and the confidence to ask questions
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, especially Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• A willingness to work from our Chicago office
• A willingness to work some evenings and Sunday afternoons when required due to international time zones

Experience with Wrike, HubSpot and Canva would be highly regarded.

Bonus points if you have studied or worked in product development, merchandising, promotional products, toys, textiles, packaging, supply chain or retail product environments.

Who This Role Will Suit

This role will suit someone who wants a career in sales or account management, but also understands that strong account managers need to learn the detail first.

You may be a good fit if you are:

• Naturally organised
• Fast to learn
• Comfortable with systems and follow-up
• Good with numbers
• Curious about how products are made, priced and delivered
• Willing to roll up your sleeves and do the detailed work
• Energised by a busy, international, creative business
• Motivated by the opportunity to grow into more client-facing responsibility over time

This role will not suit someone who only wants a pure admin job, or someone who wants a senior client-facing sales role from day one.

Why Join Novelli

• Work with a collaborative and high-performing global team
• Be part of creative product programs for major brands and retailers
• Learn the commercial engine of a fast-growing international merchandise agency
• Build a genuine pathway into account management
• Work in a fast-paced role with variety, responsibility and impact
• Join a modern Chicago office environment with a team that values hard work, clear communication and good energy

How to Apply

Please apply through this platform and include your resume.

In addition, you must also email the following to [email protected] :

• A copy of your resume
• A personalised cover letter explaining why you are interested in this role and why you would be a strong fit for Novelli

Please use the email subject line:

Junior Account Manager Application – [Your Name]

This step is part of our application process. Candidates who do not email their resume and personalised cover letter to [email protected] will not be taken further.

Pay: $45,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• How many years’ experience do you have in account support, sales support, project coordination, customer service or operations?
• Do you have experience working with cost, sell price, margin, quantity, freight or customer budgets?
• Are you able to work from our downtown Chicago office, 5 days per week?
• Are you prepared to work some evenings and Sunday afternoons when required due to international time zones?
• How soon can you start?
• What is your expected annual base salary?

Work Location: In person