Associate Buyer/Merchant Ace Hardware (headquartered in Oak Brook, IL) is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated stores in approximately 60 countries. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the Helpful Hardware Folks. Ace has retained its #5 position in the annual Franchise Times Top 400 List in 2023. Unmatched customer service is a cornerstone of the Ace Hardware brand. We are a 100-year-old retailer that supports its owners with programs that leverage their local expertise, giving them a distinct advantage over their big box competitors and has resulted in Ace retailers being named by JD Powers #1 in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retailers, 16 out of 18years. The Helpful Spirit transcends the enterprise with Ace Hardware Corporation consistently ranking amongst the top workplaces in Chicagoland.For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com. Location DescriptionAce Hardware corporate headquarters is about 20 miles west of Chicago and you’ll get the very best of city and suburban life – prestigious shopping, dining, recreation, performing arts and historical neighborhoods. Our brand new corporate facility opened in September 2023 and has state of the amenities such as a work-out facility, underground parking and upscale cafeteria. We work in the office a majority of the week, and enjoy everything our new facility has to offer together as a team.Overview: Your role will be pivotal in defining the strategic direction of our product categories, driving profitability, and ensuring alignment with market trends and consumer preferences. You will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive category strategies that are closely aligned with our business objectives.Essential Job Functions: Conduct in-depth analysis of sales data, market trends, competitive landscape, and customer preferences to identify opportunities and risks.Utilize data-driven insights to prioritize investment opportunities, develop go-to market strategies, and optimize assortment, pricing, and promotional activities.Accountable for development and delivery of savings targets and measuring savings achievements.Oversee the product lifecycle including pre-season planning through execution and tracking management; in-season sales forecasting management; and the application of the obtained data for upcoming seasons.Develop, implement, and manage the performance of national category strategies and short and long-term category objectives aimed at driving the category to meet and/ or exceed business growth targets and objectives.Analyze and maintain category assortments including making recommendations for promotions, new item introductions, item replacements, item discontinuations, and pricing.Establish, maintain, and grow relationships with suppliers and lead negotiation effortsAttend relevant industry trade shows and conferences to evaluate industry trends, as well as identify and source new itemsCoordinate with product development team on new item opportunities and to assist in direct sourcing including partnering with our international team to create new products and oversee package designsPerform category reviews based on a set review scheduleReports to the Merchant III in most casesQualifications3-5 years’ experience in consumer products related industries like retail, wholesale buying, category managementBachelor’s Degree required, concentration in Retail Management, Merchandising, a plus.MS Office proficiency including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint required.Ability to work onsite at our Corporate Headquarters in Oak Brook, IL & Mock Center in Woodridge, ILAbility to travel an estimated 15 days/annuallyStrong verbal, written and presentation skills required with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.Highly motivated, ability to prioritize and self-direct, strong business acumen and interpersonal skills.Must possess, or be able to rapidly develop, a strong knowledge of products within assigned category#LI-MS1Compensation Details:$72900 - $91000 per yearWhy 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 compensationComprehensive 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 dependents21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hireCompany Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positionsYour 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 FoundationAce 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 reviewWe know the work environment matters. That’s why Ace holds frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise salesWe 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 moreBirth/Adoption bonding paid time offAdoption cost reimbursementEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment eventsIdentity theft protection* Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable policies.Want to be notified when new jobs are posted Follow the link below to create an account and set up custom job alerts:Create Job AlertWe 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 EmployerAce 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.DisclaimerThe 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.