Westlake ACE Hardware

Develop and execute merchandising strategies to drive profitable sales growth within assigned categories. | Requires 2-5 years merchandising or buying experience, strong retail operations knowledge, and a bachelor's degree or equivalent. | Job Title: Associate Category Manager Department: Merchandising Reports To: Senior Category Manager, Merchandising Exemption Status: Exempt (Salaried) About Ace Retail Group Ace Retail Group (ARG) is a division of Ace Hardware Corporation that owns and operates several well-known Ace brands, including Westlake Ace, Great Lakes Ace, Buikema’s Ace, Outer Banks Ace, Dennis Company, and Breed & Company. As one of the largest hardware retailers in the United States, ARG operates more than 250 neighborhood stores nationwide and maintains its headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas. With roots dating back over a century, ARG’s success is driven by its people. What truly sets us apart in the industry is our commitment to hiring and developing individuals who are passionate about personal and professional growth and who want to be part of a company built on strong, enduring Core Values: Winning, Excellence, Love, Integrity, Gratitude, Humility and Teamwork General Job Summary The Associate Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing merchandising strategies that drive profitable sales growth within assigned business segments. This role collaborates closely with cross-functional partners across the organization to ensure optimal assortment, financial performance, and customer satisfaction. The Associate Category Manager also provides exceptional service to both internal and external customers, clearly communicates category strategies and implementation plans, and is highly responsive to customer and store needs. Category Focus This role will be responsible for categories that are highly impulse-driven, trend-sensitive and regional relevant. The Associate Category Manager must anticipate customer needs, understand emerging trends, and apply insights to drive sales, units per transaction, and customer engagement. Examples of potential categories include: • Core, Seasonal or opportunistic assortments • Impulse or gift-related categories • Trend-driven home, hardware, or specialty merchandise • Regional and market-specific merchandising programs Essential Duties and Responsibilities Assortment Strategy and Management • Own the performance of assigned product categories, including assortment planning, merchandising, and sales results. • Develop high-quality product assortments that drive sales and profitable growth, leveraging Ace planograms, assortment strategies, and fixture presentations where applicable. • Develop advertising strategies for assigned categories across print, digital, and social marketing platforms to drive customer transactions, increase units per transaction, and grow overall sales. • Identify localized opportunities to tailor merchandise assortments to diverse consumer bases (B2B, DIY, rural, urban, etc.). • Analyze and monitor category sales, trends, and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns. • Maintain a strong understanding of competitors, marketplace dynamics, and industry trends through store visits, advertisements, and research. Retail Support & Customer Service • Provide exceptional service to both internal (store teams, cross-functional partners) and external customers. • Clearly communicate category strategies, merchandising plans, and implementation guidance through multiple communication platforms. • Respond promptly and effectively to store and customer needs to ensure optimal category performance and execution. Financial Accountability • Manage category financial performance, including sales, net margin, sell-through, and GMROI (gross margin return on investment). • Develop semiannual forecasts to support senior management planning activities. • Negotiate costs, discounts, rebates, Vendor Partnership Program (VPP) agreements, and freight terms with suppliers. • Establish and maintain strategic supplier relationships to align products and services with business needs. • Collaborate with inventory management to determine demand forecasts for regular and promotional periods. • Attend trade shows to identify new product opportunities and strengthen supplier relationships. Leadership and Management • Define and implement departmental strategic objectives, balancing short- and long-term goals. • Take ownership of the product category line review process, ensuring accountability and execution. • Present merchandising and advertising strategies effectively to gain organizational buy-in and alignment. • Serve as project manager for merchandising-driven initiatives supporting key categories. Partnership and Cross-Functional Collaboration • Work with Store Operations to understand market and customer needs. • Partner with Inventory Management to maintain optimal stock levels and plan exit strategies. • Collaborate with Marketing and Visual Merchandising to enhance in-store presentation, point-of-purchase materials, and marketing strategies. • Build strong working relationships with Ace counterparts to leverage product assortments, customer insights, and strategic initiatives. Other Essential Requirements Ability to exhibit and incorporate our Core Values into daily decisions and interactions with others: o WINNING – In business, money is the score. To win, we must perform, compete, and have fun. At Ace, we win through people- our strength is being helpful. o EXCELLENCE – Excellence honors God and inspires people. We aspire to be the best, to continuously improve and to inspire others by giving the team our very best. o LOVE – Love the people, love the work and love the results. o INTEGRITY – For Ace to win, we need to be able to trust each other. And trust will require us to be honest, reliable, caring, of high character and of unquestioned ethics. o GRATITUDE – We recognize that we are blessed to be in the business of serving others. o HUMILITY – We strive for greatness with a humble, modest and respectful attitude. o TEAMWORK – We will fight the natural tendency for control and credit in favor of collaboration and mutual success, recognizing that…Together, we are Ace. Minimum Skills, Requirements and Qualifications • BS/BA Degree in Business Management preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience. • 2-5 years minimum experience in merchandising or buying. • Solid understanding of retail ops, relationship sales skills, business fundamentals, merchandising strategies, and assortment planning. • Knowledge of neighborhood hardware store B2B and DIY customers. • Refined interpersonal skills for engaging others effectively, both written and verbal. • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic business environment. • Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail. • Ability to work independently and be highly self-motivated. • Familiarity with modern marketing techniques across electronic, digital, and social media platforms. • Analytical thinker, team player, customer-focused, and business-minded. • Proficient in Microsoft 365: Excel, Word, Teams, PowerPoint. • Strong Excel skills including charts, VLOOKUPs, data manipulation, and macros. • Travel as required: Approximately 10% • Ability to stand, walk, lift up to 25 lbs, and climb. Job Type: Full-time Pay: From $70,000.00 per year Benefits: • 401(k) • 401(k) matching • Dental insurance • Employee assistance program • Employee discount • Flexible spending account • Health insurance • Life insurance • Paid time off • Referral program • Retirement plan • Vision insurance Education: • Bachelor's (Preferred) Experience: • Category management: 3 years (Preferred) • Procurement: 3 years (Preferred) • Purchasing: 3 years (Preferred) Work Location: In person