Assistant Merchant

About the role

The Assistant Merchant supports all aspects of a product category, including category review support, promotional planning, show prep, retailer communication, SKU on-boarding, and maintenance, as well as special projects as assigned. The role serves as a support role and development step towards full category responsibility as a Merchant I.

Responsibilities

• Category Review Support
• Support merchant in all phases of category review process
• Request and prepare all category analytics
• Prepare and participate in all aspects of vendor meeting prep, meetings, item selection, plan-o-gram build, marketing and execution to retailers
• Promotional Planning Support
• Aid in organizing and securing all vendor marketing assessments
• Aid in solicitation of monthly promotional items from vendors
• Aid in promotional item submission forms, target pricing, correction notices, and AD proofing
• Retailer Communication Support
• Support with daily retailer customer service
• Aid in communication via ACENET to relay new programs, changes or issues
• Aid in Merch CARE to prep Ace Care Center for calls and e-mails related to respective category
• Convention Planning Support
• Aid in selecting and inviting vendors to attend semi-annual convention
• Lead prep of show materials including drop ship forms, as well as submission for Power Buys, Saving Showcase and New Arrivals
• Aid in planning merchant area theme and execution for respective category
• Inventory/Supply Chain Support
• Diagnose and resolve vendor service issues
• Aid in inventory planning for promotional items
• Systems Support
• Lead SKU on-boarding for department with respective merchandising SYSTEMS coordinator
• Lead processing of department SAP price changes with respective merchandising SYSTEMS coordinator
• Lead all item master data changes with article content team
• Special Projects
• Lead department and cross-functional projects as assigned by DMM and merchant

Requirements

• Knowledge, Experience, and Competencies
• Product passion – Natural and fanatical curiosity around product and retail marketplace, demonstrated and put into action
• Strategic thinking – has advanced business acumen to draw insights from gathered data
• Relationship Builder – Builds and leverages internal / external network (vendors, retailers, cross functional team members, etc.) to drive results and improve processes
• Results-oriented – Ability to drive results to and above plan with full accountability, proactively shifting efforts as trends and business variables change
• Presentation skills – Ability to plan, assemble and present with excellence strategy, execution and updates to leadership, across the organization, vendors and retailers
• Experience and Technical Requirements
• 2+ years of business experience
• Retail experience preferred
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Understand financial measures that impacts corporation
• Demonstrate strong decision-making skills
• Highly creative, flexible and adaptable with good follow-through
• Proven ability to multi-task projects and meet deadlines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point
• Knowledge of PCM, SAP and guided Ad-hoc reporting tools
• Ability to travel 15%

Compensation Details

$76,300 - $90,000 per year

Why Join Our Team?

We live our values - W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork).

Gratitude. Humility. Love.

We want to hear from you! When most people think of career opportunities with Ace Hardware, they often think of the helpful cashiers and sales associates at their local store. However, have you also considered the people behind the scenes who select, promote, ship and process the invoices for more than 75,000 products? Maybe you haven't, but we'd like you to. Because together we help our customers take care of their homes. Come find out why a career with the Ace Hardware Corporation is one of America's best kept secrets.

Benefits

• Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level
• Grossly 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)
• 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
• Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions
• 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

Disclaimer

The pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but could be higher based on education and experience. Please note, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each opening. We take into consideration the minimum requirements outlined in the job description, such as an individual’s education, training and experience, the position’s work location, required travel (if any), and external market conditions when determining the final salary for potential new hires.

This written “Position Description” is not intended to cover all aspects of the position listed. It is meant to cover the basic/general essential job functions of a particular position. Ace Hardware Corporation reserves the right to change job duties, including essential job functions, according to business necessity. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.