Project Specialist

Ace Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

10d•$76,300 - $90,000

About The Position

The Project Specialist will support Ace Project Management with planning and executing Ace retailer funded store projects. The Project Specialist will oversee the coordination and administration of all aspects involving Ace retailer capital projects. This includes planning, organizing, leading, communicating and controlling project activities. They will partner with the Ace Project Managers throughout the duration of a project to ensure the project is completed with high quality, on time, and on budget. Projects include new stores, conversions, relocations, store renovations and special projects. What you’ll do Manage project milestones and due dates to ensure lead times are met and the project stays on schedule. Create, review and submit orders for store projects. This includes RSC opening stock orders, Shelf Management tags, Lozier, vendor drop shipments, décor, displays and point of purchase materials. Collaborate with Ace Project Managers and Merchandising Service Organizations during project execution. Central point of contact for all project stakeholders. Communicate project status updates by phone, email and in the Project Portal. Participate and occasionally lead project conference call. Review and respond daily to project issues logged into Smart Sheet from the team onsite. Identify trending issues and escalate to project stakeholders. Be proactive to prevent future issues. Collaborate with team members to continually evolve and improve processes. Maintain relationships with up to 5 Ace Project Managers. Make decisions alongside the Ace Project Manager on the best way to support the project and Ace retailer. Maintain Project Support Process Standards. Who You Are You are someone who wants to make an impact that matters and is far reaching in the communities our Ace retailers serve. You consistently demonstrate that you are creative, meticulous, and extremely organized. You have a knack for forming fast relationships that are strong and long-lasting. You strive to be the “go-to” resource for your project stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred or related work experience
Three + years of retail experience
Strong Customer Service experience
Ability to handle high stress situations
Ability to work in a team environment
Advanced computer skills (Word & Excel)
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills

Nice To Haves

SAP Experience
Experience working with Smartsheet
Project Management experience
PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification

Responsibilities

Manage project milestones and due dates to ensure lead times are met and the project stays on schedule.
Create, review and submit orders for store projects. This includes RSC opening stock orders, Shelf Management tags, Lozier, vendor drop shipments, décor, displays and point of purchase materials.
Collaborate with Ace Project Managers and Merchandising Service Organizations during project execution.
Central point of contact for all project stakeholders. Communicate project status updates by phone, email and in the Project Portal. Participate and occasionally lead project conference call.
Review and respond daily to project issues logged into Smart Sheet from the team onsite.
Identify trending issues and escalate to project stakeholders. Be proactive to prevent future issues. Collaborate with team members to continually evolve and improve processes.
Maintain relationships with up to 5 Ace Project Managers. Make decisions alongside the Ace Project Manager on the best way to support the project and Ace retailer.
Maintain Project Support Process Standards.

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