Category Marketing Manager

ACE Hardware•Oak Brook, IL

11d•$100,000 - $128,000

About The Position

The Category Marketing Manager is responsible for the development of marketing strategies for key product categories. You will collaborate with merchandising and marketing channel leads to create annual marketing plans, category messaging, brand positioning and consumer activation plans by channel while establishing vendor relationships with key vendor partners to align category marketing plans and campaign timing and messaging. In addition, the Category Marketing Manager will support the Sr. Category Marketing Managers in their efforts to drive sales, transactions, and market share in the Famous for Four categories. What you’ll do Craft the overall marketing strategy for key product categories (for example, Paint, Power, BBQ, Home Preservation). Collaborate with merchandising and marketing channel leads to create annual marketing plans, category messaging, brand positioning and consumer activation plans by channel. Establish vendor relationships with key vendor partners to align category marketing plans, campaign timing and messaging. Secure marketing funding for best brands through consistent vendor contact points and an annual vendor marketing collaboration meeting. Build content strategy for the development of local creative assets for top categories and brands in Ace Marketing Muscle and assist in identifying and building local in-store events. Conduct thorough category research to gain consumer insights, competitive and industry analysis, market growth and Ace’s retail sales trends to build a comprehensive marketing strategy to grow Ace’s market share. Manage collaboration/alignment for non-‘Famous For’ product/categories; identifying significant opportunities for Ace to win. First line of defense to marketing channels to review requests for resources. Collaborate, communicate, and execute ‘Famous For’ in store parties to drive traffic and transactions. Assist in proofing creative assets by campaign.

Requirements

3+ years marketing or category/product management experience
Strong analytical and data analysis skills with ability to generate insights that will translate to strategies
Passion for idea development and cross functional communications
Executional excellence that showcases attention to detail and adherence to deadlines
Ability to set and achieve goals and manage multiple projects and priorities
Excellent communication and presentation skills (oral and written)
Excellent PC skills (Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
Ability to function as a team player and lead cross functional projects
Ability to create strong relationships across internal departments and external partners
Bachelor’s degree in business or marketing, previous experience in brand preferred.

Responsibilities

Craft the overall marketing strategy for key product categories (for example, Paint, Power, BBQ, Home Preservation).
Collaborate with merchandising and marketing channel leads to create annual marketing plans, category messaging, brand positioning and consumer activation plans by channel.
Establish vendor relationships with key vendor partners to align category marketing plans, campaign timing and messaging.
Secure marketing funding for best brands through consistent vendor contact points and an annual vendor marketing collaboration meeting.
Build content strategy for the development of local creative assets for top categories and brands in Ace Marketing Muscle and assist in identifying and building local in-store events.
Conduct thorough category research to gain consumer insights, competitive and industry analysis, market growth and Ace’s retail sales trends to build a comprehensive marketing strategy to grow Ace’s market share.
Manage collaboration/alignment for non-‘Famous For’ product/categories; identifying significant opportunities for Ace to win.
First line of defense to marketing channels to review requests for resources.
Collaborate, communicate, and execute ‘Famous For’ in store parties to drive traffic and transactions.
Assist in proofing creative assets by campaign.

Benefits

Incentive opportunities, based on role/grade level (rapid company growth over the past 5 years resulted in incentives being paid out at an average of 122% of your target opportunity!)
Generous 401(k) retirement savings plan with a fully vested matching contribution the first year in addition to quarterly contributions and annual discretionary contribution (once eligibility requirements have been met).
Over the past 5 years, company contributions (matching, quarterly & discretionary) for fully eligible employees have averaged 10.4% of total eligible compensation.
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
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