Space Planning Analyst

Job Overview

The Space Planning Analyst is responsible for maintenance and documentation of planograms to support Ace recommended assortments in all domestic and wholesale business units. This collaborative role works with Category Analysts, Merchandising, Store Planning, Retail Operations, and Retail Development to ensure planograms are retail‑ready upon publication and meet visual merchandising standards. The analyst leverages Blue Yonder Space Planning reports, tables and highlights to support POG analysis and improves POG efficiency and accuracy.

• Develop display standards that follow Category Management and Merchandising strategies, engaging customers, stimulating sales, and generating margins.
• Collaborate with Category Management Analysts to design and build POGs that integrate fundamental retail strategies while challenging traditional methods.
• Create and model POGs within the warehouse facility and model store, documenting and publishing planograms, images, recommended quantities, and product attributes for use on ACENET, Shelf Management Services, and in stores.
• Work cross‑functionally with Category Management, Merchandising, Retail Operations, and Retail Development to develop tools and training necessary for corporate initiatives.
• Stay current with marketplace trends, conduct store visits and seminar/trade‑show attendance to identify improvements, and analyze the performance of changes to refine the store model.
• Utilize Blue Yonder Space Planning to generate POG reporting, highlights, tables, and tools that provide Category Analysts with productivity data supporting category insights.
• Communicate effectively and maintain up‑to‑date planograms, ensuring accuracy of images, dimensions, fixtures, and assortment updates.

• Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of experience in Space Management.
• Deep understanding of industry trends in retail, interior retail design, consumer behavior, product placement, margin recognition, and fundamental merchandising techniques.
• Strong visual merchandising skills with flexibility to adapt to shopper behavior variations across departments and categories.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and work cross‑functionally across departments.
• Independent thinker capable of working and communicating effectively both verbally and in writing across all levels of corporate and retail management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Experience with Blue Yonder Space Planning and Category Knowledge Base (CKB).
• Ability to lift 30 lbs.

Annual salary range: $76,300 – $95,500.

• Incentive opportunities based on role/grade level.
• Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with fully vested matching contribution and quarterly/discretionary contributions.
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, and disability).
• Paid time off: 21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays.
• Company car, phone, and fuel card for field‑based positions.
• Employee assistance programs and various wellness services.
• Employee discounts on Ace merchandise and other products.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Ace Hardware Corporation is committed to promoting equal employment opportunities and preventing employment discrimination in accordance with federal and 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. Compensation decisions are based on a variety of factors including education, training, experience, location, and market conditions. This position description is not intended to cover all aspects of the job and may be changed as business needs evolve.

Employment in Massachusetts is subject to the provisions of AB 934 regarding lie detector tests.