The Job
The Category Management Strategy Associate will lead, motivate, oversee and direct the development of retail assortments by fully leveraging space and assortment optimization tools. The category management process determines and analyzes Ace's most successful retailers in conjunction with consumer research and industry trends to develop fact-based programs, which focuses on product selection, product/category placement, while partnering with retail pricing.
The Category Management Strategy Associate is responsible for leading and developing the team of analysts that drive both analytical and space planning functions of assortment review and selection. This individual will be relied on to drive strategic initiatives, improve efficiencies among the team, improve processes and above all improve the profitability of planograms through retailer acceptance of our recommended assortments.
What you'll do:
Category Management
- Integrate with Merchandising to influence the category review and strategic planning process
- developing end-to-end strategies for assortments.
- Support Merchant team with category performance analytics, consumer insights, key trends and root cause; communicate effectively across all levels of Ace - Officer down to Retailer.
- Partner with Merchandising and Field leadership to define and manage to corporate and retailer performance targets of key category metrics and improved Discovery Acceptance.
- Develop critical retail execution plans for updated assortments and strategic plans with specific implementation guidance for New Stores, Remodels and Mult-Store chains.
Macro & Micro Assortment Analytics & Space Management
- Build, maintain and grow strategic and analytically driven approach to space optimization, including profitability analysis, competitive analysis, retail positioning, & inventory position.
- Create locally relevant planograms, utilizing clustering and customer segmentation to identify regional, demographic or niche assortment opportunities.
- Develop strategic approach to macro assortment strategies, including reduction of unproductive Discovery inventory across all categories.
- Own, manage and communicate all assortment and space planning strategies, systems and processes.
- Drive consistent, routine assortment maintenance to ensure planogram accuracy, SKU viability, correct images, dimensions and fixtures.
Cross-Functional Relationships
- Partner with the visual team (fixtures, décor and signage) to deliver retail ready planograms that maximize use of space yet remain shoppable for the consumer.
- Work with analyst teams to ensure category, strategy, goals and KPIs are met and that we are considering all cluster/regional opportunities.
- Partner with vendors to gain industry knowledge and access to customer data.
- Connect cross-functionally to get analysts access to all relevant data points required for analysis.
- The development and implementation of our programs requires buy in, support and substantial teamwork between numerous departments, including IT, Retail Dev, Store Systems and Ops, Marketing, Merchandising, Order Entry, Inventory, Distribution and Credit. A considerable amount of communication, networking and understanding is necessary. A consistent appeal to the mission and vision of the company and group is required to impede department barriers.
Consumer Trends/Merchandising Trends/Techniques
- Leverage internal and external data sources, including rich Ace Rewards customer data, to identify emerging consumer trends and opportunities within various customer segments.
- Study competitors & industry best practices to stay on top of trending merchandising techniques and visual merchandising opportunities.
- Work closely with the Retail Store Operations team to identify space saving fixtures/alternatives to improve linear foot productivity.
Mockup Store and Special Events Support
- Ace has special events like performing expedited timeline line reviews and the planning and execution of the Planograms in the mockup store inside the office will require considerable leadership and involvement from the Category Management Associate.
- The coordination of the mockup store efforts is a shared responsibility, but the Catman Strategy Associate will play a key role in the planning, space allocation and launch of the assortments in the office.
Team Leadership & People Development
- Lead team to support vision of strategic and dynamic management of assortment, space and visual communications across Ace.
- Enforce a culture of creative curiosity that will drive actionable insights based on robust analytics.
- Grow top talent within the team and feed other Ace Corporate teams.
- Provide an environment of continuous learning and education for both self and team members. This includes access to all needed JDA training on and offsite, attendance of industry events and seminars, and informal/formal networking with other industry professionals.
What you wil