Retail Development Project Manager - MO/AR

Retail Development Project Manager - MO/AR

Ace Hardware Corporation is looking for an experienced Retail Development Project Manager - MO/AR (internally known as Retail Operations Project Manager) who will lead, develop, and manage retail growth projects including expansions, relocations, renovations, conversions, and new store development throughout their assigned territory.

This role serves as a trusted advisor to independent Ace retailers, guiding them through significant business investments and helping them successfully execute projects that support long-term growth and profitability. Successful candidates combine strong project management skills with consultative selling, relationship management, business acumen, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex projects.

This position is responsible for managing project scope, schedule, cost, stakeholder communication, and project execution while providing retailers with strategic recommendations and solutions that support their business objectives.

What you'll be doing:

• Align with Ace's values, mission and vision of being helpful in all aspects of your role with internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for retailers throughout the project lifecycle, providing guidance, recommendations, and support from initial project planning through completion.
• Consult, develop, and close retail project opportunities using consultative selling skills during meetings with prospective retailers, conversion retailers, branch store candidates as well as renovation projects for existing retailers. Helping to understand project benefits, evaluate investment opportunities, and make informed business decisions regarding store growth, modernization, and operational improvements.
• Inspire and motivate to action; prospects, retailers as well as Ace stakeholders to ensure maximum project penetration throughout the Project Managers respective territory. Regularly meet with retailers with the purpose to educate and inform on the benefits of a store renovation. This can be one-on-one or in a group setting.
• Build strong relationships with retailers, District Managers, Retail Operations, New Business, Merchandising, and other cross-functional partners to align resources and achieve successful project outcomes.
• Plan and develop scope of retail projects for expansion, relocation, renovation, conversion and new ground up stores. Partner Ace District Managers to support and provide the tools to have a meaningful discussion with their retailers on the benefits of a store renovation. Coordinate with the DM to develop a store renovation prospect list and develop a strategy to consult with the prospects on the benefits of a renovation.
• Manage all resources both internal and external to meet established schedules for all projects assigned.
• Assess the retail potential in key existing Ace markets for the opportunity to "Right Size Right Place" the store to maximize Ace market share by working closely with the appropriate stakeholders.
• Provide support in the review of potential real estate locations in cooperation with appropriate stakeholders to determine, from a project stand point, the locations' feasibility. Review and ensure Landlord tenant criteria and construction portions of lease are thoroughly evaluated and communicate such with all internal partners.
• Track and maintain project updates via the current corporate project management tools. This will require updating of the system of various project tasks.
• Conduct project site visits and communication calls to assess progress, validate quality standards, resolve issues, support retailers during implementation, and ensure successful project completion and turnover to Retailer and District Manager upon completion.

What you'll need to apply:

• B.S. / B.A. Degree in business administration or construction or commensurate experience
• Capital project selling experience.
• A minimum of three years of experience in project management, retail operations, store development, construction management, business consulting, account management, or a related field.
• Working knowledge and understanding of Ace retail operations programs and initiatives.
• Understanding of basic retail store operations and management.
• General building construction knowledge preferred
• Ability to formulate detailed estimates and schedules through development of the project scope and ensure that these costs are accurately communicated with the retailer and appropriate stakeholders.
• Provide support in the review of potential real estate locations in cooperation with the appropriate stakeholders.
• Ability to review and ensure Landlord tenant criteria and construction portions of lease are thoroughly evaluated and communicate such with all stakeholders.
• Ability to track and maintain project updates via the current corporate project management tools
• Ability to effectively lead, manage, facilitate & coordinate multiple retail projects concurrently.
• Must be able to develop/present a project capitalization workbook.
• Ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders without direct authority to drive the execution of programs and or services in a consultative role .
• Ability to effectively communicate with business owners, executive leadership, field teams, contractors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Excellent and effective presentation skills. Groups include individuals, regional teams, retailer groups and large group presentations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent PC skills including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce.
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to work flexible hours, remotely from a home office and traveling throughout the assigned territory, including overnight travel to support retailers and project activities.

Compensation Details:

$103000 - $115000 Per Year

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 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 (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% 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
• Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions
• 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.