B2B Sales & Operations Specialist (On Site)

Ace Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sales & Operations Specialist develops and continuously improves customer success journeys while providing hands-on support to seven Outside Sales Representatives (OSRs) throughout the solution-selling process. The role coordinates cross-functional resources, addresses customer and field needs, and uses customer engagement, pipeline, and sales insights to help OSRs prioritize opportunities, improve execution, and drive sales growth. The position turns territory, customer, pipeline, and chain performance data into recommendations; coordinates support and follow-through across internal teams, vendors, and the merchant team; monitors OSR results and pipeline health; and maintains CRM and forecasting practices. It also identifies workflow bottlenecks and recurring field needs and coordinates approved improvements to help the seven-OSR team work more consistently and efficiently. The role is suited to an organized, collaborative person who enjoys supporting sales, learning about products, solving problems, and improving how work gets done. The position is on site. Compensation is $57,500–$72,000 per year, with the final offer potentially varying based on education, experience, location, travel requirements, and market conditions.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience in sales operations, business operations, sales enablement, or commercial analytics, including analyzing business issues, supporting sales processes, and recommending practical improvements.
Ability to communicate complex findings clearly, present decision options, facilitate cross-functional discussions, and influence stakeholders toward resolution without direct authority.
Experience with CRM, pipeline, forecasting, territory-planning, account-planning, reporting, or sales-program processes and identifying practical opportunities to improve them.
Strong analytical judgment, including defining non-routine issues, evaluating alternatives and business impact, developing well-supported recommendations, and recognizing when leadership approval is required.
Strong working proficiency with CRM platforms, sales reporting and forecasting tools, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and related business systems.
Ability to translate pipeline, conversion, retention, territory, forecast, and customer data into insights, decision options, and practical recommendations that influence sales priorities, operating improvements, and OSR effectiveness.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Analytics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience supporting a sales team and an interest in helping sellers solve problems and serve customers effectively.
Interest in products, merchandising, or B2B sales, with the ability to learn product categories quickly and connect customer needs to potential solutions.
Experience identifying process or workflow improvements, such as simplifying steps, improving organization, or helping a team work more efficiently.
Comfort working with sales data and business tools, including Excel, CRM systems, reporting tools, or similar platforms used to track customers and sales opportunities.

Responsibilities

Turn territory, customer, pipeline, and chain performance data into prioritized recommendations for OSRs and sales leadership.
Support seven OSRs throughout the solution-selling process by clarifying ownership, coordinating resources and follow-through, and resolving non-routine customer and field issues across internal support teams, vendors, and the merchant team.
Monitor OSR results and pipeline health, investigate material gaps, and recommend actions to protect revenue, improve customer engagement, and increase sales effectiveness.
Maintain clear CRM and forecasting practices, resolve non-routine data issues, and recommend improvements to sales visibility, accuracy, field adoption, and opportunity management.
Identify workflow bottlenecks and recurring field needs, recommend practical solutions, and coordinate approved changes to improve the consistency, efficiency, and capacity of the seven-OSR team.
Communicate complex findings, present decision options, facilitate cross-functional discussions, and influence stakeholders toward resolution without direct authority.

Benefits

Incentive opportunities based on role and grade level.
401(k) plan with a fully vested matching contribution in the first year, quarterly contributions, and an annual discretionary contribution after eligibility requirements are met.
Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage for employees and dependents.
21 days of vacation immediately available, prorated in the first year, and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire.
Company car, phone, and fuel card for field-based positions.
Annual Ace Cares Week and 20 hours off work per year to volunteer.
On-site classes, facilitator-led courses, tuition assistance, development, and coaching.
Campus events, including Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales.
On-site services such as mobile spas, auto maintenance, car wash and detailing, dry cleaning, dentists, eye doctors, flu shots, and more.
Employee discounts on Ace merchandise, travel, fitness, computers, and other products.
Paid birth/adoption bonding time off.
Adoption cost reimbursement.
Employee Assistance Program, including access to therapists and lawyers and guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and entertainment tickets.
Identity theft protection.