Assistant Merchant

ACE Hardware • Oak Brook, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As an Assistant Merchant, you are responsible for all aspects of support for a product category, including but not limited to category review support, promotional planning, show prep, retailer communication, SKU on-boarding, and maintenance and special projects as assigned. The position is designed as a support role, as well as development step in all aspects of the buying department to prepare a candidate for full category responsibility as a Merchant I. The Assistant Merchant executes the current year plan that has been laid out by the Merchant, is responsible for all aspects of support for a product category, and assists with teams’ responsibilities and projects, including category reviews, promotional planning processes, show preparation, retailer communication, SKU onboarding and maintenance, and special projects as assigned. The role is expected to consider enterprise (retail, EJD, international) impact with all decisions.

Requirements

• Product passion – Natural and fanatical curiosity around product and retail marketplace, demonstrated and put into action.
• Strategic thinking – has advanced business acumen to draw insights from gathered data.
• Relationship Builder – Builds and leverages internal / external network (vendors, retailers, cross functional team members, etc.) to drive results and improve processes.
• Results-oriented – Ability to drive results to and above plan with full accountability, proactively shifting efforts as trends and business variables change
• Presentation skills – Ability to plan, assemble and present with excellence strategy, execution and updates to leadership, across the organization, vendors and retailers
• 2+ years of business experience
• Retail experience preferred
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Understand financial measures that impacts corporation
• Demonstrate strong decision-making skills
• Highly creative, flexible and adaptable with good follow-through
• Proven ability to multi-task projects and meet deadlines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point
• Knowledge of PCM, SAP and guided Ad-hoc reporting tools

Nice To Haves

• Ability to travel 15%

Responsibilities

• Support merchant in all phases of category review process
• Request and prepare all category analytics
• Participate in all aspects of vendor meeting prep, meetings, item selection, plan-o-gram build, marketing and execution to retailers
• Support in organizing and securing all vendor marketing assessments
• Assist in solicitation of monthly promotional items from vendors
• Assist with promotional item submission forms, target pricing, correction notices and AD proofing
• Support with daily retailer customer service
• Assist with communication via ACENET to relay new programs, changes or issues
• Assist with Merch CARE to prep Ace Care Center for calls and e-mails related to respective category
• Assist in selecting and inviting vendors to attend semi-annual convention
• Lead prep of show materials including drop ship forms, as well as submission for Power Buys, Saving Showcase and New Arrivals
• Assist in planning merchant area theme and execution for respective category
• Assist in diagnosing and resolving vendor service issues
• Assist in inventory planning for promotional items
• Lead SKU on-boarding for department with respective merchandising SYSTEMS coordinator
• Lead processing of department SAP price changes with respective merchandising SYSTEMS coordinator
• Lead all item master data changes with article content team
• Lead department and cross-functional projects as assigned by DMM and merchant

Benefits

• Incentive opportunities
• Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution the first year in addition to quarterly contributions and annual discretionary contribution
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision and disability – up to 26 weeks short-term disability and long-term disability) & life insurance benefits for you and your dependents
• 21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year)
• Up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire
• Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions
• Annual Ace Cares Week
• 20 hours off work per year to volunteer at an organization of your choice
• Opportunities to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Ace Helpful Fund through the Ace Foundation
• On-site classes, facilitator-led courses
• Generous tuition assistance program
• Frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales
• Mobile spas, auto maintenance, car wash and detailing, dry cleaning, dentists, eye doctors, flu shots, recycling and more
• Employee discounts on Ace merchandise, travel, fitness, computers and thousands more
• Birth/Adoption bonding paid time off
• Adoption cost reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment events
• Identity theft protection

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed