Buyer/Merchandising Internship - Summer 2027, Full Time/Paid/12 Weeks

Compensation Details: $22.00 per hour They represent our commitment to the company, our employees, to Ace retailers and to the Ace brand. As Buyer/Merchandising Intern you will own several key projects in the Merchandising department, allowing interns to experience work as an Associate Merchant. Expand category management skillsets by developing a strong financial acumen: manage your P&L and learn how to drive your portfolio forward to achieve business results. Develop and track key performance indicators to understand success. Immersion in competitive performance analysis, marketing strategy and forecasting Synthesize insights and data from a wide variety of sources to develop clear and actionable recommendations that will further category management strategies and support business planning processes Identify and validate business risks and opportunities and drive action Candidates must be pursuing an undergrad degree from an accredited program in Business (or related field) with graduation year in 2028. Concentration in Business, Retail Management, Merchandising, a plus. Coursework in any of the following areas: marketing, consumer behavior, visual merchandising, e-retailing, retail supply chain management, business, finance, economics, entrepreneurship, negotiation, sourcing and customer relations is ideal. Previous internship or work experience is paramount. Interest in the retail/wholesale industry with the desire to start a career with Ace Hardware after graduation (strongly preferred) Ability to work in the greater Chicago area for the duration of the internship (Relocation assistance is not available). This is an in office position 5 days a week. Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams (Supply Chain, Marketing Operations, Insights, Finance, Legal) Ability to work closely with buying teams to contribute to product selection, procurement, and vendor relationships Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the Helpful Hardware Folks. Our brand new corporate facility opened in September 2023 and has state of the amenities such as a work-out facility, underground parking and upscale cafeteria. We work in the office the majority of the week and enjoy everything our new facility has to offer together as a team. 2027 Summer Internship Program Overview The Ace Internship program allows you to apply skills and knowledge you're learning in College today, while contributing in a hands-on environment to fit your career objectives, complement your academic work and enhance your learning. Real hands-on experience in your assigned department/function with day-to-day projects, responsibilities, accountabilities and deadlines within our buying department. Resume Workshop to help you prepare for future opportunities

• Opportunity to volunteer through the Ace Hardware Foundation
• Hourly competitive compensation
• 12-week full time program

Your internship experience at Ace will give you the knowledge and skills future employers will look for! Follow the link below to create an account and set up custom job alerts: 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? Because together we help our customers take care of their homes. Ace Hardware Corporation 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. 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.