Assistant Merchant

Overview

As an Assistant Merchant, you are responsible for all aspects of support for a product category, including but not limited to category review support, promotional planning, show prep, retailer communication, SKU on-boarding, and maintenance and special projects as assigned. The position is designed as a support role, as well as development step in all aspects of the buying department to prepare a candidate for full category responsibility as a Merchant I.

• Executes the current year plan that has been laid out by the Merchant
• Is responsible for all aspects of support for a product category
• Assists with teams' responsibilities and projects, including category reviews, promotional planning processes, show preparation, retailer communication, SKU onboarding and maintenance, and special projects as assigned.
• Is expected to consider enterprise (retail, EJD, international) impact with all decisions.
• Category Review
  • Support merchant in all phases of category review process
  • Request and prepare all category analytics
  • Participate in all aspects of vendor meeting prep, meetings, item selection, plan-o-gram build, marketing and execution to retailers
• Promotional Planning Support
  • Support in organizing and securing all vendor marketing assessments
  • Assist in solicitation of monthly promotional items from vendors
  • Assist with promotional item submission forms, target pricing, correction notices and AD proofing
• Retailer Communication
  • Support with daily retailer customer service
  • Assist with communication via ACENET to relay new programs, changes or issues
  • Assist with Merch CARE to prep Ace Care Center for calls and e-mails related to respective category
• Convention Planning Support
  • Assist 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
  • Assist in planning merchant area theme and execution for respective category
• Inventory/Supply Chain Support
  • Assist in diagnosing and resolving vendor service issues
  • Assist in inventory planning for promotional items
• Systems Support
  • Lead SKU onboarding 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

• Knowledge, Experience, and Competencies
• Ace Assistant Merchant 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
• 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%

$76,000 - $90,000 Per Year

• We live our values - W.E.L.I.G.H.T (Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility, and Teamwork).
• Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level
• Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions
• Comprehensive health coverage and life insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Employee discounts and additional perks
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and other wellness benefits

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.