B2B Sales & Operations Specialist

ACE Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

4d•$57,500 - $72,000

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, responds to 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 translates territory, customer, pipeline, and chain performance data into recommendations; coordinates internal support teams, vendors, and the merchant team; monitors sales results and pipeline health; and strengthens CRM, forecasting, and opportunity-management practices. It also identifies workflow bottlenecks and recurring field needs, recommending and coordinating approved improvements that enhance the consistency, efficiency, and capacity of the seven-OSR team. The role is suited to an organized, collaborative person who enjoys supporting sales, learning about products, solving problems, improving work processes, and helping customers and the team succeed.

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.
Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Marketing, Operations, Analytics, or a related field preferred, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

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 that improve team consistency, efficiency, and capacity.

Benefits

Incentive opportunities based on role and grade level.
401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution in the first year, plus quarterly and annual discretionary contributions once 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.
20 hours off work per year to volunteer during annual Ace Cares Week, plus opportunities to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Ace Helpful Fund.
On-site classes, facilitator-led courses, tuition assistance, and 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 and services.
Paid birth and adoption bonding time off.
Adoption cost reimbursement.
Employee Assistance Program with access to therapists and lawyers, financial guidance, elder and childcare assistance, and entertainment ticket assistance.
Identity theft protection.