Merchandising Representative

ACE Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

10d•$59,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Merch Rep will assist with various integral tasks within the department, including but not limited to: Ace vendor / retailer convention planning and execution, Pricing portal maintenance, Category / item maintenance, Special projects as assigned, Department reporting and communication. This role involves introductions to beginner and intermediate vendor and item selection, negotiation, promotional planning, implementation of programs and initiatives, managing team calendars for submission deadlines, departmental communication, coordinating projects and holding team accountable to cross-functional partners. The successful candidate will participate in a comprehensive training program to learn and develop the necessary knowledge and skills to implement critical assignments within the merchandising area. They will learn to execute and follow through on all tasks related to the implementation of key merchandising functions. This role will apply knowledge by assisting with key tasks such as item starts/maintenance, price maintenance, event planner, category reviews, promotional planning, show prep and other initiatives to assist merchants in growing retail sales within their respective categories. The representative will study the retail marketplace and assist the category management partner in building and maintaining category plan-o-grams. They will utilize territory rep counterparts to enhance knowledge of regional and local product needs and develop sales skills to implement category at retail, driving measurable results. The role will develop an understanding of the function of inventory control and participate in efforts to impact merchant goals for product fill levels and Ace warehouse (RSC) inventory turnover. A key aspect of this role is to develop a working relationship with key cross-functional areas to gain acceptance, build credibility, and grow understanding and resource in other departments, the vendor community and Ace retailers. Proficiency in and application of Ace technology applications such as ACENET intranet site, Ace Data Warehouse, SAP and Product Content Management system is expected. The representative will assist the merchant and department merchandise manager with special projects and other administrative functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (business marketing or management a plus) or 2-4 years of related work experience (retail, sales or marketing)
Understanding of business fundamentals
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to think critically and strategically
Strong time management skills
Strong PC skills including Excel, Word and Outlook
Technology adaptive to embrace and become skilled at Ace’s technology platform
Self-confident, self-motivated with good presentation skills
Ability to work across teams and independently with some supervision

Responsibilities

Ace vendor / retailer convention planning and execution
Pricing portal maintenance
Category / item maintenance
Special projects as assigned
Department reporting and communication
Vendor and item selection
Negotiation
Promotional planning
Implementation of programs and initiatives
Managing team calendars for submission deadlines
Departmental communication
Coordinating projects and holding team accountable to cross-functional partners
Participate in a comprehensive training program
Learn to execute and follow through on all tasks related to the implementation of key merchandising functions
Assist with key tasks such as item starts/maintenance, price maintenance, event planner, category reviews, promotional planning, show prep and other initiatives
Study retail marketplace and assist category management partner in building and maintaining category plan-o-grams
Utilize territory rep counterparts to enhance knowledge of regional and local product needs and develop sales skills to implement category at retail
Develop understanding of the function of inventory control and participate in impact merchant can affect on in effort to deliver product fill levels and Ace warehouse (RSC) inventory turnover to goal
Develop a working relationship with key cross-functional areas
Become proficient in and apply the use of Ace technology applications such as ACENET intranet site, Ace Data Warehouse, SAP and Product Content Management system
Assist merchant and department merchandise manager with special projects and other administrative functions

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, and a generous tuition assistance program
Frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales
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, 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