Associate Store Planner - EJD

Ace Hardware hiring for Associate Store Planner - EJD jobs in Oak Brook, IL, US

The Job

The Associate Store Planner will be responsible for creating store layouts in CAD, managing fixture quotes, assisting with the creation of Merchandise plans, and assist with maintaining MPG, Vestcom POGs, and other team files.

What you’ll do…

• CAD Floor Plans: Create “As-Is” and proposed floor plans in CAD or excel according to meet project timelines.
• Consultative & Collaborative Communication: Research and collaborate with Retailers and Cross Functional Teams (Sales Teams, Retail Execution Team and Merchandise Program Managers) to understand the dynamics of the Retailers business as well as the market they reside in and their local competition based on channel (hardware, pro lumberyard, etc.). Clearly communicate floor and assortment plan to customer and internal project team members to ensure project preparedness and execution success.
• Product Knowledge & Merchandise Placement: Consistently plan and execute multiple department and category placements using Emery Jensen’s best practices considering market specific needs to deliver a locally relevant, consumer-centric, and highly productive floor layout This includes but is not limited to determining departments the Retailer should support for the Pro, Hardware, and Paint Retailers.  
• Store Fixture Knowledge & Quote Management: Understand different fixture vendors, styles, and brands. Develop and communicate fixture quotes and review for accuracy. Support with creating décor plans and placing orders with 3rd party vendor partners.
• Analyzing Data & Floor Plans: Capable of reading and understanding floor plans to determine placements of departments and categories.  Leverage reporting to confirm availability of assortments & SKUs in relevant RSC(s) and identify assortment & SKU opportunities. Assist with performing floor plan/MPG/order review.
• Utilize JDA Space Planning to develop and maintain POG reporting, highlights, tables and tools.

What you need to succeed

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Min 3 years of Space Planning and/or Store Planning  in AutoCAD required
• JDA Retail Floor, Space and Assortment modules experience preferred
• Hardware or Pro Lumberyard industry experience preferred
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Strong time management skills and ability to manage multiple projects and corresponding deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communications skills
• Collaborative approach with Retailers and cross functional teams
• Embodies company’s values and is customer focused
• Ability to think and work independently, Highly creative, flexible, and adaptable with good follow-through
• Ability to adapt solutions for a diverse customer base with differing needs and wants and proactively problem solve any issues that arise
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, & Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

$63000 - $79000

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.

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.