Project Analyst

ACE Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

1d•$88,400 - $110,700

About The Position

About This Role The Retail Projects – Store Merchandising Project Analyst will work alongside the Retail Projects Merchandising Project Manager to provide scalable, high-quality retail merchandising resources to support in-store retail capital projects (new stores and renovations). You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day relationships and requirements of Ace’s 3rd Party Merchandise Services Organizations to provide scalable merchandising services needed and the quality required to meet the needs of Ace Hardware Corporation's capital projects. In addition, you will work directly with the Project Managers and Regional Project Managers on pricing and scheduling of merchandising teams. What You’ll Do Lead the process of managing, assigning, and negotiating with Merchandise Service Organizations (MSO) for all store projects. The right skill set for the project at the best possible price. Successfully manage strong relationships between Ace Hardware and our MSO teams. This role is the conduit between Ace and our service providers. Assist in maintaining proper standard operating procedures for retail projects, training MSO to ensure quality projects, cost containment, and timeliness of completion. Responsible for managing the merchandising appointment calendar (MAC) used by field project managers to plan upcoming projects. Continually evaluate systems, guidelines, etc. that impact the capital project pipeline to anticipate the ability to meet the current needs and in the future. Develop curriculum and lead training seminars for new and existing MSOs, driving consistency & quality to our retailers when executing projects. Who You Are You have the ability to manage several vendor relationships shifting priorities, and can manage through challenging situations. You love supporting stakeholders with the critical resources to complete capital projects successfully. You have been successful at creating and maintaining strong vendor relationships while achieving competitive requirements.

Requirements

A minimum of 3 years of retail or vendor management experience with a strong background in communications and negotiations
Bachelor’s Degree preferred (commensurate experience considered)
Must have research, analytical, planning and organization skills
Demonstrated leadership abilities by leading without direct reports / open to coaching
Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills
Proven ability to work horizontally and vertically across an organization of diverse teams and leadership styles.
Problem-solving skills with the ability to take a multitude of tasks and take clear, logical, and efficient action steps
Results-oriented with a proven track record of accomplishments
Ability to travel to meetings and conventions, Travel expectations up to 40%
Excellent software skills, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook, and project management software

Nice To Haves

Vendor negotiation experience across multiple vendors and project types
Experience with Smartsheet – workflow management software

Responsibilities

Lead the process of managing, assigning, and negotiating with Merchandise Service Organizations (MSO) for all store projects.
Successfully manage strong relationships between Ace Hardware and our MSO teams.
Assist in maintaining proper standard operating procedures for retail projects, training MSO to ensure quality projects, cost containment, and timeliness of completion.
Responsible for managing the merchandising appointment calendar (MAC) used by field project managers to plan upcoming projects.
Continually evaluate systems, guidelines, etc. that impact the capital project pipeline to anticipate the ability to meet the current needs and in the future.
Develop curriculum and lead training seminars for new and existing MSOs, driving consistency & quality to our retailers when executing projects.

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