Entry Level Operations Manager Jobs in Tennessee

Founded in 1983, Kele Inc. is a leading distribution, and solutions partner with national reach and a global presence. Built around our customers and powered by our people, Kele provides millions of in-stock parts from more than 300 brands to drive automation & efficiency in nearly every type of facility, from office towers and factories to data centers and hospitals.

Our goal is to empower progress for maintenance managers, engineers, contractors, and all those building the future. We do this by delivering parts rapidly, providing custom assemblies upstream, and offering unmatched support to ensure projects run smoothly and downtime is minimized.

With 12 locations nationwide and headquarters in Tennessee, Kele combines deep technical expertise, rapid logistics, and a solutions-first mindset to help customers simplify supply chains, meet tight schedules, and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Kele fosters a culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and customer obsession, empowering associates at every level to contribute, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

We are currently hiring for the role of Marketing Coordinator.

SUMMARY  

 The Marketing Coordinator is an entry-level operations role that serves as the execution backbone for the entire marketing organization. Reporting to the Director of Marketing Operations, this role provides cross-team operational support across Brand & Strategy, Omni Channel, and Demand Gen—keeping campaigns moving, assets organized, tradeshows running, and co-op administration on track. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and thrives in a fast-paced environment where attention to detail and cross-team communication are critical.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Campaign Operations

• Manage campaign scheduling, trafficking, and deadline tracking across Brand & Strategy, Omni Channel, and Demand Gen teams.
• Maintain the marketing calendar, coordinating timing across email, digital, print, and event programs.
• Support campaign intake and briefing processes, routing requests to the appropriate team members.
• Track project status and provide regular updates to teams.
• Own and optimize Asana as the marketing team's project management hub: maintain workspace structure, enforce naming and tagging conventions, onboard new team members, and ensure projects and tasks stay current and actionable.

Tradeshow & Event Logistics

• Own tradeshow logistics from planning through execution: booth materials, vendor coordination, shipping, and site support.

Co-op & Vendor Administration

• Process co-op claims and coordinate invoice submissions with Finance for manufacturer co-op reimbursements.
• Track vendor POs, invoices, and payments for marketing vendors and agency partners.
• Maintain accurate records of co-op fund utilization and deadlines.

Cross-Team Support

• Coordinate meetings, distribute briefs, send meeting recaps, and manage action item follow-through across all marketing teams.
• Take on ad-hoc marketing projects and initiatives as needed to support overall marketing team priorities and business objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in a marketing coordination, project coordination, or administrative role.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Experience with project management tools (Asana, Monday.com, or similar).
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a B2B marketing environment, industrial distribution, or manufacturing sector.
• Familiarity with CRM platforms or marketing automation tools
• Experience supporting tradeshow or event logistics.
• Exposure to co-op program administration or vendor invoice processing.
• Familiarity with email marketing platforms and campaign trafficking workflows.

Skills and Competencies

• Project & Time Management — Ability to prioritize and execute across concurrent workstreams without dropping details.
• Cross-functional Communication — Comfortable working across Marketing, Sales, Finance, and external vendors.
• Process Orientation — Natural inclination toward building and following systems, checklists, and workflows.
• Adaptability — Able to shift priorities quickly in a fast-moving marketing environment.
• Vendor & Stakeholder Coordination — Capable of managing relationships with agencies, tradeshow vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Attention to Detail — Ensures accuracy in asset versioning, deadline tracking, and co-op documentation.
• Team Player — Collaborative, low-ego contributor who creates clarity and removes friction for the broader team.

Kele Companies offers all full-time associates the following benefits and perks:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance 
• HSA
• FSA (medical and dependent care)
• 401(k) with employer match up to 4% with immediate vesting
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental life for employees and dependents available
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement