Category Management Analyst II

Ace Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

40d•$74,700 - $93,600

About The Position

The Category Management Analyst II will leverage fact-based analytics and customer research to develop consumer-relevant retail assortments and planograms. Improving the store model is pillar of Ace's long-term retail strategy, and developing the most efficient, productive and differentiated assortments/planograms for our Retailers is a critical element for success. Category Scope: Category Management Analyst II will have responsibility over smaller volume & less complex categories.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in engineering or business related field
3-5 years retail or consumer packaged goods experience
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
High degree of curiosity and structured problem solving skills
Ability to analyze, evaluate and interpret complex data
Confident presenting in larger groups across multiple levels of the organization
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and written to various levels of corporate and retail management (e.g., manager through VP and store associate through owner)
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Must be able to lift 30lbs

Nice To Haves

PowerBI and SQL experience preferred although not required
Knowledge of standard Category Management process and principles a plus

Responsibilities

Data Analysis- Support category line reviews & store model initiatives by conducting thorough analysis of sales data, market trends, product line structures and consumer decision trees to identify opportunities for category growth, space, and inventory optimization.
Assortment Planning- Develop best in class assortments with the Merchant to grow top line sales, lower cost of goods, and maximize profitability while simplifying the shopping experience for category resets. Manage all aspects of assortment and planograms, from analytics and recommendations of the mix, optimal placement and depth on shelf to cross-functional alignment and execution.
Cross Functional Collaboration- Lead cross functional teams throughout line review process to ensure that assortments are "retail ready," and all best practices are implemented for flawless execution at retail. (e.g., Merchandising, Space Planning, Retail Pricing, Store Environment, Retail Analytics, Field Operations, Inventory, etc.).
Category Performance Monitoring & Insights- Proactively monitor category KPI's to identify opportunities to make assortment and/or space/planogram changes to improve category performance and to understand impact of prior changes made. Work with management to align on key actions to take based on results and work with cross-functional category team to act as needed.
Servicing our Retailers- Provide direct customer service to retailers as needed. Return phone calls and emails promptly exhibiting the willingness and expertise to answer questions and resolve issues as presented.
Continuous Improvement- Proactively identify opportunities to enhance category management processes and methodologies, driving efficiency and effectiveness within the organization.
Complete special projects/requests as assigned by management team.

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
Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable plans and policies.