JOBS

Ace Hardware has an Assistant Category Manager in Merchandising position open. The Assistant Category Manager (internally known as Assistant Merchant) will be pivotal in defining the strategic direction of their 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 their 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 efforts.
• Attend relevant industry trade shows and conferences to evaluate industry trends, as well as identify and source new items.
• Coordinate 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 designs.
• Perform category reviews based on a set review schedule.
• Reports to the Merchant III in most cases.