Senior National Account Manager- Ace Hardware

The Hillman Group, Inc.•Chicago, IL

66d

About The Position

The Senior National Account Manager- Ace Hardware is responsible for leading Hillman's strategic relationship and sales growth initiatives within Ace Hardware. This role drives profitable growth, strengthens long-term partnerships, and ensures Hillman remains a preferred vendor and trusted partner to Ace retailers nationwide. The ideal candidate brings a combination of analytical acumen, strong retail experience, and proven leadership in managing key accounts at the national level. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Employees are expected and encouraged to participate in safety and health program activities including immediately reporting hazards, immediately reporting unsafe work practices and incidents to supervisors, wearing required personal protective equipment, and participating in and supporting safety committee activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, or related field
Minimum 5-7 years of progressive sales experience, including national account management with a major retailer (Ace Hardware experience strongly preferred).
Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time.
Proven success in developing and executing strategic sales plans with measurable growth outcomes.
Strong analytical skills and proficiency in POS and inventory data management.
Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across multiple functions in a fast-paced, matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

Partner with Sales Leadership to forecast and develop sales quotas and growth plans for the Ace Hardware account, ensuring achievement of profitability goals.
Lead quarterly business reviews with Ace to discuss performance metrics, SKU rationalization, and new product introductions.
Conduct annual line reviews and comprehensive business reviews to align strategic objectives and reinforce Hillman's value proposition.
Develop and execute the Ace business plan, including P&L management, sales targets, budget forecasting, and operational priorities.
Formulate annual and multi-year sales strategies to achieve organic growth and strengthen Hillman's position within the Ace ecosystem.
Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, field service, and operations to execute new program rollouts, promotions, and product transitions.
Maintain a deep understanding of Hillman's product portfolio and field service capabilities to deliver best-in-class support to Ace and its retailers.
Coach, develop, and mentor direct reports, leveraging ongoing training and feedback to drive professional growth and sales excellence.
Ensure alignment with all HR policies, compliance requirements, and ethical standards.
Communicate frequently with sales and field service teams to share key updates, resolve issues, and foster collaboration across the organization.
Build and sustain strong relationships with Ace category managers, merchants, and key decision-makers to ensure alignment on strategies and execution.
Partner with Marketing to develop promotional programs, planograms, and event logistics that support Hillman's brand and product initiatives.
Analyze customer inventory data to identify category growth opportunities, manage SKU optimization, and enhance overall category performance.