Category Management Analyst II The Job The Category Management Analyst II will leverage fact-based analytics and customer research to develop consumer-relevant retail assortments and planograms. Improving the store model is pillar of Aces long-term retail strategy, and developing the most efficient, productive and differentiated assortments/planograms for our retailers is a key element of this pillar. * Category Scope: Category Management Analyst II will have responsibility over smaller volume & less complex categories What youll do * Maximize retailer sales and profitability by building consumer-relevant assortments and planograms that align with defined category strategies. Manage, with management support, all aspects of assortment and planograms, from analytics to execution and maintenance. * Leverage JDA Assortment Optimization and Space Planning to consistently infuse consumer perspective and analytics into assortment decisions and execution of category strategies in planogram development. Assist in discussions with cross-functional teams to achieve acceptance of recommendations. * Quickly become an expert or super-user in Ace Best Practices and JDA applications, acting as a mentor and trainer for new and junior team members. * Collaborate with multiple departments (e.g., Merchandising, Category Management, Retail Pricing, Visual Merchandising, Retail Analytics, Field Operations, Inventory) to ensure that assortment and space recommendations are retail ready, aligned with overall category strategy and communicated fully. * Participate in category reviews by providing assortment and space analytics that can help shape future category strategies. * Proactively monitor category KPIs to identify opportunities to make assortment and/or space/planogram changes to improve category performance and to understand impact of prior changes made. Work with management to align on key actions to take based on results and work with cross-functional category team to act as needed. * Provide direct customer service to retailers as needed. Return phone calls and emails promptly exhibiting the willingness and expertise to answer questions and resolve issues as presented. * Complete special projects/requests as assigned by management tea What you need to succeed * Bachelors Degree in engineering or business related field * 3-5 years retail or consumer packaged goods experience * Strong analytical and structured problem solving skills * Ability to analyze, evaluate and interpret complex data * Ability to communicate effectively verbally and written to various levels of corporate and retail management (e.g., manager through VP and store associate through owner) * Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word) * Experience with JDA Retail Floor, Space and Assortment modules a plus * Knowledge of standard Category Management process and principles a plus * Must be able to lift 30lbs We want to hear from you! When most people think of career opportunities with Ace Hardware, they often think of the helpful cashiers and sales associates at their local store. However, have you also considered the people behind the scenes who select, promote, ship and process the invoices for more than 75,000 products? Maybe you haven't, but we'd like you to. Because together we help our customers take care of their homes. Come find out why a career with the Ace Hardware Corporation is one of America's best kept secrets. Equal Opportunity Employer Ace Hardware Corporation and its subsidiaries are 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 discharge, or any other action covered by federal or state laws.Category Management Analyst II