Assistant Merchant

Ace Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

1d•$76,000 - $90,000

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 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. Is expected to consider enterprise (retail, EJD, international) impact with all decisions.

Requirements

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
Ability to travel 15%

Responsibilities

Category Review Support
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
Promotional Planning Support
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
Retailer Communication 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
Convention Planning Support
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
Inventory/Supply Chain Support
Assist in diagnosing and resolving vendor service issues
Assist in inventory planning for promotional items
Systems Support
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
Special Projects
Lead department and cross-functional projects as assigned by DMM and merchant

Benefits

Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level (rapid company growth over the past 5 years resulted in incentives being paid out at an average of 122% of your target opportunity!)
Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution the first year in addition to quarterly contributions and annual discretionary contribution (once eligibility requirements have been met). Over the past 5 years, company contributions (matching, quarterly & discretionary) for fully eligible employees have averaged 10.4% of total eligible compensation.
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) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire
Your career at Ace is more than just a job. It’s a chance to be part of something meaningful.
We help locally-owned businesses thrive and make an impact in their communities – and we support our employees in doing the same by offering an 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
Ace invests in every employee we hire, with a key focus on development and coaching. We offer on-site classes, facilitator-led courses, and a generous tuition assistance program, plus a performance management approach that goes beyond the typical annual review
We know the work environment matters. That’s why Ace holds frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales
We bring them to you! Services such as mobile spas, auto maintenance, car wash and detailing, dry cleaning, dentists, eye doctors, flu shots, recycling and more!
Employee discounts on Ace merchandise (including top brands like Weber, Traeger, Yeti, Craftsman, DeWalt and more), 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