Space Planning Analyst

Ace Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

11h

About The Position

The Space Planning Analyst is responsible for the maintenance and documentation of planograms to support Ace recommended assortments. This position is a collaborative role with Category Analysts, Merchandising, and Store Planning to ensure planograms are “retail-ready” upon publication. The Space Planning Analyst will have ownership of various categories of product, ranging in complexity across all Ace domestic and EJD channels. This role will be responsible for upholding visual merchandising standards and leveraging Blue Yonder Space Planning reports, tables and highlights to support POG analysis. The analyst will also be responsible for POG efficiency and accuracy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree with 5+ years of experience in Space Management
Demonstrated understanding of industry trends at retail
Demonstrated understanding of interior retail design, consumer behavior, product placement, margin recognition and fundamental merchandising techniques
Strong Visual Merchandising skills with the flexibility to adapt to Shopper behavior variations across departments and categories.
Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to work cross-functionally among multiple departments
Ability to work and think independently
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and written to various levels of corporate and retail management (e.g., manager through VP and store associate through owner)
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
Experience with Blue Yonder Space Planning and Category Knowledge base (CKB formerly IKB) modules required
Must be able to lift 30lbs

Nice To Haves

Experience with Blue Yonder Floor Planning and Assortment Optimization a plus

Responsibilities

Responsible for the development of display standards that follow Category Management and Merchandising Strategies by engaging customers, stimulating sales and generating margins.
In conjunction with the Category Management Analysts, develop POGs that follow fundamental retail strategies while challenging traditional methods.
Constantly look for display methods that improve the model while maintaining the integrity of the POG set.
Responsible for building POGs within our warehouse facility and model store.
Responsible for documenting and publishing planograms, images, recommended quantities, all planogram & product attributes for use on ACENET, with Shelf Management Services, and in stores.
Work cross functionally with Category Management, Merchandising, Retail Operations and Retail Development to ensure that the proper tools and training are developed to successfully support corporate initiatives.
Stay current with the marketplace and understand how trends can impact Ace’s business approach.
Collaborate with the Category Management Analysts to analyze the performance of changes made.
Understand the impact of the change, what has driven and contributed to success and use that information to improve the store model.
Utilize Blue Yonder Space Planning to develop POG reporting, highlights, tables and tools that provide the Category Analyst with POG productivity data that will support their category insights.
Provide ongoing maintenance of all planograms, ensuring accuracy of images, dimensions, fixtures and assortment updates.

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