Store Operations Consultant

POSITION SUMMARY: The Store Operations Consultant – People Management role works across Ace Hardware to help retailers improve store execution through practical people-management processes, best practices, training, and technology solutions.Store Systems and Operations researches, develops, field tests, markets, deploys, and trains the day-to-day operating practices used in Ace stores. The department owns or supports key operational processes, including Inventory Management, Financial Management, and People Management, and partners with other functional areas to deliver the Ace Way of Retailing and supporting technology solutions.This role has primary responsibility for workforce-management practices and solutions, including recruiting, labor planning and scheduling, time and attendance, payroll, people development, and related customer and employee engagement practices. The consultant independently handles defined workstreams, leads small to medium projects of moderate complexity, and contributes subject-matter expertise while escalating higher-risk, strategic, or policy decisions. The department's vision is to create the most operationally efficient convenience hardware stores on the planet.PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:People Management Best PracticesLeads the research, piloting, development, and documentation of defined People Management best practices and repeatable store processes.Recommends refinements to existing practices and solutions, using retailer, field, operational, and vendor input.Independently completes assigned workstreams; obtains final approval for new or materially changed standards from senior leadership.Store Systems and Workforce TechnologyMaintains strong working knowledge of workforce-management systems, including scheduling, time and attendance, payroll, recruiting platforms, and HRIS capabilities.Builds working knowledge of in-store systems, ACENET, and related data interfaces that support People Management processes.Partners with Product Management, IT, vendors, field staff, and retailers to research issues, document requirements, test changes, and support implementation.Consulting and Retailer SupportServes as a subject-matter expert within People Management and provides practical guidance to retailers, field staff, and internal partners.Handles a broad range of routine and moderately complex retailer questions independently and escalates high-risk or cross-functional issues as appropriate.Supports Associate Consultants through knowledge sharing, hands-on coaching, and shadowing opportunities.Training and DeploymentDevelops and delivers training for retailer groups, field staff, and internal partners on assigned topics.Creates or updates presentations, job aids, process documentation, and other curriculum in collaboration with Retail Training and subject-matter partners.Plays a meaningful role in communicating and promoting the business value of completed Store Operations initiatives.Vendor and Cross-Functional CollaborationServes as an operational contact for vendor partners supporting workforce management and related retail solutions.Coordinates training, issue resolution, testing, retailer feedback, and implementation activities; contributes to business reviews and solution assessments.Escalates pricing, contractual, policy, or material relationship decisions to management.Projects and InitiativesLeads small to medium projects or defined workstreams of moderate complexity and risk, sometimes across multiple initiatives concurrently.Determines the project approach, research plan, participating field staff and retailers, documentation method, and day-to-day execution within established objectives.Monitors milestones, risks, dependencies, and adoption; escalates strategic, political, or high-impact decisions.KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCIES: Proven research, analysis, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to investigate issues and develop practical solutions.B.S. / B.A. degree in business administration or commensurate work experience.Typically 3–5 years of relevant experience, including experience as an Associate Store Operations Consultant or equivalent retail, workforce-management, HR technology, payroll, or store-operations experience.Working knowledge of workforce-management systems such as scheduling, time and attendance, payroll, recruiting platforms, and/or HRIS systems.Understanding of the operational aspects of running a retail store or functional expertise gained from working at Ace.Ability to develop clear best practices, business requirements, process documentation, job aids, and training materials.Effective presentation and facilitation skills; capable of training retailer groups and/or field staff teams.Polished interpersonal, collaboration, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills; able to build credibility with retailers, field staff, vendors, and internal partners.Strong project-management skills with attention to detail, risk management, follow-up, and delivery across multiple priorities.Advanced PC skills, including skilled use of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.Ability to travel approximately 10%.WORK AUTHORIZATION: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.#LI-JK1Compensation Details:$102900. - $128600. per yearWhy 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 compensationComprehensive 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 dependents21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hireCompany Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positionsYour 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 FoundationAce 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 reviewWe know the work environment matters. That’s why Ace holds frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise salesWe 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 moreBirth/Adoption bonding paid time offAdoption cost reimbursementEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment eventsIdentity theft protection* Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable policies.Want to be notified when new jobs are posted? Follow the link below to create an account and set up custom job alerts:Create Job AlertWe 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 EmployerAce 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.DisclaimerThe 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.It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.SummaryLocation: IL - Oak BrookType: Full time