Import Merchandise Manager

3 weeks ago

Oak Brook, Illinois, United States Ace Hardware Corporation Full time
About This Role

The Import Merchant is a key member in executing the overall objectives of the Import Merchandise Team to grow overall import penetration and lead step change for the business. This position will drive all aspects of the assortment strategy, private label product development and execution for assigned categories. The Import Merchant is responsible for all aspects of the Import assortment strategy development and execution for assigned categories. The position collaborates with their Domestic Merchant counterparts to grow import penetration and drive cost out savings through global sourcing and management of imported products.

Key Responsibilities
  • Work with merchant counterparts to identify opportunities within strategic planning process to grow import penetration in respective categories in terms of sales and gross profit
  • Present plan to leadership for support and revisit throughout the year to report progress and shifts in execution
  • Manage category growth plan for Ace and EJD while achieving SKU productivity
  • Manage multiple complex categories and execution requiring cross-functional support
  • Source new items/innovations/vendors from a large global supplier base, ensuring factories are in compliance with Ace Import standards and CTPAT
  • Collaborate with quality control to ensure product quality standards are met and develop testing protocols when needed
Category Reviews
  • Collaborate with domestic merchants and AGD Sourcing team to deliver cost out savings and achieve category review goals
  • Determine Import vendor selection and lead negotiation and program syncs on behalf of Ace and EJD, presenting import vendors/programs
  • Lead wholesale and retail assortment and merchandising aides with category management and store development
  • Develop execution plan via incentives and marketing to drive adoption at retail
Import Category Departmental Plans
  • Develop annual cost out goals and sales targets for defined categories
  • Work with finance and risk management to analyze and lower defective rate
  • Support Domestic Merchants in finding items to advertise including running landed costs estimates that coincide with gross margin budgets
  • Work closely with AGD Sourcing team to manage above
Promotional Planning
  • Plan and negotiate all promotional offers to drive awareness and increase sales
  • Identify items, negotiate special pricing and terms, and present items to the promotions team for selection
  • Oversee all promotional item submission forms, target pricing
Retailer Communication
  • Attend retailer group meetings and targeted retail store visits
  • Utilize ACENET to communicate new programs, changes or issues
Convention Planning
  • Plan private label area theme and execution for respective category
  • Select vendors to attend semi-annual convention
  • Plan and execute all vendor programs
  • Plan merchant area theme and execution for respective category
Inventory/Supply Chain Support
  • Assist in diagnosing and resolving vendor service issues
  • Assist in inventory planning for promotional items
Financial Management
  • Manage and grow wholesale product gross profit rate
  • Negotiate and maintain funding or manage through gross profit based on domestic merchants' objectives
Required Skills
  • The MERCHANT will be leading in the below competencies:
  • Ace Merchant Competencies
    • Product passion – Natural and fanatical curiosity around product and retail marketplace, demonstrated and put into action. Convertible to multiple categories based on changes in responsibilities.
    • Strategic thinking – Ability to envision, create and present strategy to drive disruptive wholesale and/or retail growth in category sales and profit
    • Results-oriented – Ability to drive results to and above plan with full accountability, proactively shifting efforts as trends and business variables change
    • Leadership – Demonstrated and active leadership across the organization, vendors and retailers as authority in respective category. Superior problem-solving skills.
    • Negotiation skills – Superior negotiation skills with proven results leveraging company scale, business drivers and strategies
    • Presentation skills – Ability to plan, assemble and present with excellence strategy, execution and updates to leadership, across the organization, vendors and retailers
  • Experience and Technical Requirements
    • 5+ years of business experience
    • 2+ years managing product categories
    • Regional and global brand awareness in the home maintenance industry strong plus
    • Sourcing experience is a plus
    • Interest and ability to build strong working relationships across cultures
    • Demonstrated negotiation skills and success in growing the business
    • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
    • Excellent interpersonal skills
    • Strong financial and business acumen
    • Demonstrated strong decision-making skills
    • High degree of initiative, adaptability and ability to operate independently
    • Versatility to shift category responsibility as needed
    • Proven ability to multi-task projects and meet deadlines
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
    • Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point
    • Ability to travel 10-20% including 1-2 overseas trips per year

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