Retail Development Project Manager - Kansas City, MO

Ace Hardware•Kansas City, MO

2d•$103,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Job Ace Hardware Corporation is looking for experienced Retail Development Manager (Kansas City, MO) (internally known as Retail Operations Project Manager) who prospect, sell, lead, develop and manage retail projects (expansions, relocations, renovations, conversions and new ground up stores) primarily in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas . This role is responsible for delivering a solution to our independent store owners using appropriate business measurements and tools per the project setup agreement. This position has overall performance responsibility for selling, managing scope, cost, schedule and contractual deliverables for the project. This includes applying techniques for consultative selling, planning, tracking, change control and risk management. What you’ll be doing Align with Ace’s values, mission and vision of being helpful in all aspects of your role with internal and external stakeholders. Consult and close sales of retail projects using consultative selling skills during meetings with prospective retailers, conversion retailers, branch store candidates as well as renovation projects for existing retailers. Inspire and motivate to action; prospects, retailers as well as Ace stakeholders to ensure maximum project penetration throughout the Project Managers respective territory. Regularly meet with retailers with the purpose to educate and inform on the benefits of a store renovation. This can be one-on-one or in a group setting. Plan and develop scope of retail projects for expansion, relocation, renovation, conversion and new ground up stores. Partner with Ace District Managers. Provide the DM the tools to have a meaningful discussion with their retailers on the benefits of a store renovation. Coordinate with the DM to develop a store renovation prospect list and develop a strategy to consult with the prospects on the benefits of a renovation. Manage all resources both internal and external to meet established schedules for all projects assigned. Assess the retail potential in key existing Ace markets for the opportunity to “Right Size – Right Place” the store to maximize Ace market share by working closely with the appropriate stakeholders. Provide support in the review of potential real estate locations in cooperation with appropriate stakeholders to determine, from a project stand point, the locations’ feasibility. Review and ensure Landlord tenant criteria and construction portions of lease are thoroughly evaluated and communicate such with all internal partners. Track and maintain project updates via the current corporate project management tools. This will require updating of the system of various project tasks. Periodically visit sites on all assigned projects to ensure proper installation of all work, administer punch list review and turnover to retailer and District Manager upon completion.

Requirements

B.S. / B.A. Degree in business administration or construction or commensurate experience
Capital project selling experience.
2- 3 years of retail project management experience.
Working knowledge and understanding of Ace retail operations programs and initiatives.
Understanding of basic retail store operations and management.
General building construction knowledge preferred
Ability to formulate detailed estimates and schedules through development of the project scope and ensure that these costs are accurately communicated with the retailer and appropriate stakeholders.
Provide support in the review of potential real estate locations in cooperation with the appropriate stakeholders.
Ability to review and ensure Landlord tenant criteria and construction portions of lease are thoroughly evaluated and communicate such with all stakeholders.
Ability to track and maintain project updates via the current corporate project management tools
Ability to effectively lead, manage, facilitate & coordinate multiple retail projects concurrently.
Must be able to develop/present a project capitalization workbook.
Effective communicator and ability to influence retailers, internal and external stakeholders consistently as well as gain acceptance to drive the execution of programs and or services in a consultative role
Excellent and effective presentation skills.
Groups include individuals, regional teams, retailer groups and large group presentations.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
Excellent PC skills including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce.
Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
Ability to work flexible hours and regularly travel overnight.

Responsibilities

Consult and close sales of retail projects using consultative selling skills during meetings with prospective retailers, conversion retailers, branch store candidates as well as renovation projects for existing retailers.
Inspire and motivate to action; prospects, retailers as well as Ace stakeholders to ensure maximum project penetration throughout the Project Managers respective territory.
Regularly meet with retailers with the purpose to educate and inform on the benefits of a store renovation.
Plan and develop scope of retail projects for expansion, relocation, renovation, conversion and new ground up stores.
Partner with Ace District Managers.
Provide the DM the tools to have a meaningful discussion with their retailers on the benefits of a store renovation.
Coordinate with the DM to develop a store renovation prospect list and develop a strategy to consult with the prospects on the benefits of a renovation.
Manage all resources both internal and external to meet established schedules for all projects assigned.
Assess the retail potential in key existing Ace markets for the opportunity to “Right Size – Right Place” the store to maximize Ace market share by working closely with the appropriate stakeholders.
Provide support in the review of potential real estate locations in cooperation with appropriate stakeholders to determine, from a project stand point, the locations’ feasibility.
Review and ensure Landlord tenant criteria and construction portions of lease are thoroughly evaluated and communicate such with all internal partners.
Track and maintain project updates via the current corporate project management tools.
Periodically visit sites on all assigned projects to ensure proper installation of all work, administer punch list review and turnover to retailer and District Manager upon completion.

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