Category Management Analyst II_

Oak Brook

The **Category Management Analyst II** will leverage fact-based analytics and customer research to develop consumer-relevant retail assortments and planograms. Improving the store model is pillar of Ace’s long-term retail strategy, and developing the most efficient, productive and differentiated assortments/planograms for our Retailers is a critical element for success.

+ **Category Scope:** Category Management Analyst II will have responsibility over smaller volume & less complex categories.

**What you’ll do**

+ **Data Analysis** - Support category line reviews & store model initiatives by conducting thorough analysis of sales data, market trends, product line structures and consumer decision trees to identify opportunities for category growth, space, and inventory optimization.

+ **Assortment Planning** - Develop best in class assortments with the Merchant to grow top line sales, lower cost of goods, and maximize profitability while simplifying the shopping experience for category resets. Manage all aspects of assortment and planograms, from analytics and recommendations of the mix, optimal placement and depth on shelf to cross-functional alignment and execution.

+ **Cross Functional Collaboration-** Lead cross functional teams throughout line review process to ensure that assortments are “retail ready,” and all best practices are implemented for flawless execution at retail. (e.g., Merchandising, Space Planning, Retail Pricing, Store Environment, Retail Analytics, Field Operations, Inventory, etc.).

+ **Category Performance Monitoring & Insights-** Proactively monitor category KPI’s to identify opportunities to make assortment and/or space/planogram changes to improve category performance and to understand impact of prior changes made. Work with management to align on key actions to take based on results and work with cross-functional category team to act as needed.

+ **Servicing our Retailers-** Provide direct customer service to retailers as needed. Return phone calls and emails promptly exhibiting the willingness and expertise to answer questions and resolve issues as presented.

+ **Continuous Improvement-** Proactively identify opportunities to enhance category management processes and methodologies, driving efficiency and effectiveness within the organization

+ Complete special projects/requests as assigned by management team.

**What you need to succeed**

**Experience and Technical Requirements**

+ Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or business-related field

+ A minimum of 3 years retail or consumer packaged goods experience

+ Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

+ High degree of curiosity and structured problem-solving skills

+ Ability to analyze, evaluate and interpret complex data

+ Confident presenting in larger groups across multiple levels of the organization

+ 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)

+ PowerBI and SQL experience preferred although not required

+ Knowledge of standard Category Management process and principles a plus

+ Must be able to lift 30lbs

**Compensation Details:**

$73000 - $91300 Per Year

**Why should you 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. You don’t often see values like these in most corporate statements, but Ace is different. These things are important to us. They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand.

In addition to providing our employees a great culture, Ace also offers competitive benefits* that address life’s necessities and perks, many of which expand and improve year after year, including:

+ 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 9.6% 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

+ 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

_* Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable policies._

**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.

**Equal Opportunity Employer**

Ace Hardware Corporation is committed to a policy of promoting equal employment opportunities. The company recognizes the importance of diversity and leveraging the skills and talents of all people to the mutual advantage of each individual and the organization. The company is committed to the prevention of employment discrimination related to race, religion, color, sex (including sexual harassment), gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws.

**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._

_Be aware that salary estimates published via alternate online job boards may not be a true representation of the actual pay range offered for this position. Please refer to the Ace position description for the accurate starting pay range information and feel free to discuss this with a Talent Acquisition professional if you are chosen to move forward with an interview._

_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._

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.