Retail Execution Planning Manager

The Job

The EJD Retail Execution Planning Manager will be responsible for driving operational consistency and excellence in all project planning functions, including store planning, assortment planning, POG management, and project management. In addition, this role will work collaboratively and cross-functionally to drive process improvements, introduce new business solutions and tools, and advance relationships with internal and 3rd party project partners. This is a hybrid role that reports into Oakbrook, IL on Mondays & Wednesdays weekly, with the potential for a 3rd day based on the needs of the business.

What you’ll do…

• Lead, support, and develop all Retail Execution Planning team members. and
• Provide Project Management support for 25-30% of the most complex Retail Execution projects to achieve successful (on time, within budget, and highly satisfied customer) completion.
• Clearly outline project timeline requirements for all planning functions (store/concept, assortment/merch, order placement, etc.) and drive accountability to the timeline.
• Work collaboratively with Retail Execution Managers and Sales Directors to maintain the master Project Schedule, ensuring all changes are clearly and proactively communicated to impacted team members and the broader project team.
• Establish clear plan and prioritization for POG maintenance and custom POG work
• Explore and implement process and business solution improvements, leading the change management process through cross-functional alignment and development of clear execution plans and timelines.
• Manage scheduling with all 3rd party partners (store labor, store survey, etc.), lead and facilitate annual strategic partnership meetings.
• Oversight of monthly and quarterly performance tracking reporting and communicate results to Retail Execution team, Sales Leaders, and EJD Leadership team.
• Foster collaboration, inclusion, and connectivity Sales, Finance, Customer Experience, enterprise partners, and entire Retail Execution team.

What you need to succeed

• 5-10 years of project management experience
• 5 years of leadership experience required
• Industry experience is a must
• Experience with space and store planning
• The flexibility to take calls & meetings for different time zones in the US. This is the exception, not the norm, but the ability to attend a 7:30am CST or 5:00p CST meeting, for example, is needed in this leadership role.
• Strong critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills
• Strong relationship management, negotiation, interpersonal, influencing and communication skills
• Ability to understand, influence and lead large projects centered around operational improvements
• Experience leading projects with one or more of the continuous improvement methodologies (such as Lean, Six Sigma, CI, Kazan, 5S, etc.) and/or PMP certification preferred
• Detail oriented, well organized
• Highly collaborative and embraces a growth mindset
• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field (commensurate experience considered)
• Knowledge of JDA/Blue Yonder, SAP, Sales Force, Smartsheet and Floor & Space Planning functions is highly desirable

Compensation Details:

$115000 - $143500

Why 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 / Emery Jensen Distribution 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 2 years resulted in incentives being paid out above 125% of your target opportunity!)
• Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match at 4% of eligible earnings (from day 1 of your first contribution)
• Comprehensive 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 dependents
• 21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire
• Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions
• Flexible working arrangements (Non-Field positions can work from home up to 2 days per week)
• Your 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 Foundation
• Ace 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 review
• We know the work environment matters. That’s why Ace holds frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales
• We 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 more
• Birth/Adoption bonding paid time off
• Adoption cost reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment events
• Identity theft protection

* Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable policies.

We want to hear from you!
Emery Jensen Distribution delivers wholesale products and best-in-class service to independent retailers in the Pro Lumber Yards, Home Centers, Paint, Hardware Stores, Decorating Stores, and E-retailer space. Our goal is to support sustainable and profitable growth for our customers by offering the broadest assortments, best pricing, and most knowledgeable team. We have national scale, a regional focus and the commitment to serve our customers and support each other. Come find out why a career with Emery Jensen Distribution is right for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Emery Jensen Distribution, a subsidiary of Ace Hardware, 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.

Disclaimer

The 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.