Senior Marketing Specialist - New Store Openings

Company Overview

Ace Hardware Corporation is a prominent retail cooperative focused on empowering local hardware retailers throughout the United States. With a longstanding tradition of supporting small businesses, the company values community engagement, superior product quality, and outstanding customer service. Ace fosters a culture that emphasizes integrity, innovation, and collaboration, aiming to strengthen its retail partners. Diversity and inclusion are core commitments, with an inclusive workplace designed to celebrate the contributions of every employee and partner. Through robust support networks and programs, Ace Hardware remains a trusted leader in the hardware retail sector, helping local businesses and communities prosper.

Role Summary

The Senior Marketing Specialist for New Stores plays a critical role in integrating and supporting more than 300 new store owners annually, covering new investments, branch expansions, conversions, and ownership transitions. This role involves educating these retailers on both national and local marketing initiatives, their associated costs, and execution plans to ensure smooth store openings and continuous growth. Responsibilities include managing grand opening and reopening events, collaborating with multiple teams—such as Retail Operations, District Managers, Business Managers, Promotions, and vendors—and strategically planning marketing initiatives. The specialist also develops onboarding materials, conducts training webinars, and represents the company at industry conventions and store functions. This position provides a significant opportunity to influence franchise success from the launch phase through ongoing marketing efforts, thereby enhancing the visibility and expansion of Ace stores nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement marketing schedules, activities, and events tailored to onboard over 300 new stores annually, ensuring timely rollout of programs like BOPIS, BODFS, online initiatives, Ace Rewards, and promotions.
• Organize and oversee grand opening and reopening ceremonies, handling creative marketing concepts, promotional offer development, securing inventory, and distributing both print and digital marketing collateral.
• Develop and maintain an 18-month comprehensive marketing timeline that merges national campaigns with local store strategies to boost visibility, build customer trust, and promote loyalty.
• Work closely with retail staff—including district managers and retail coaches—to ensure thorough onboarding, marketing planning, and execution for each store's first-year operations.
• Facilitate webinars and training sessions to educate new store owners on consumer marketing programs such as Sign Kit, e-commerce platforms, Ace Rewards, Digital Lift Max, Local Email, and SOCi tools.
• Regularly update onboarding and training materials to keep resources current and relevant. Take leadership of the New Owners Institute training initiatives by conducting sessions and preparing presentation content.
• Represent Ace Hardware at national trade shows, traveling extensively within the U.S. to engage with prospective investors, promote marketing programs, and coordinate grand opening activities.
• Attend a minimum of five Ace grand openings and two to four competitor store openings each year to assess event effectiveness, suggest improvements, and ensure smooth launch experiences for store owners.
• Manage event execution for more than 100 Elevate store projects, integrating special offers, creative ideas, and demonstrations aimed at supporting store renovations and upgrades.

Candidate Requirements

• Minimum of three years’ experience in marketing, retail, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong project management skills with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to operate effectively under tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication capabilities to interact effectively across various organizational levels and with external partners.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Background in merchandising, marketing, or analytics with a strategic mindset that challenges traditional approaches.
• Passion for relationship-building and proactive engagement.
• Flexibility to travel frequently across the United States (up to 50% travel), including attending grand openings, conventions, and store events.
• Valid driver's license is necessary for travel requirements.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive annual salary between $76,300 and $95,550, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Incentive programs with historic awards averaging 122% of performance targets.
• Robust 401(k) retirement plan featuring full company match, quarterly contributions, and discretionary annual contributions averaging 10% of pay over five years.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability (short- and long-term), and life insurance coverage for employees and dependents.
• Paid time off entailing 21 vacation days (prorated during first year) and up to six paid holidays annually.
• Provision of a company vehicle, phone, and fuel card for field-based positions.
• Professional development offerings such as on-site training, tuition assistance, and coaching programs.
• Additional perks like employee appreciation events, vendor demos, wellness services, discounts on merchandise and travel, participation in community outreach, paid parental leave, adoption assistance, an Employee Assistance Program, and identity theft protection.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Ace Hardware Corporation embraces diversity and is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities for all applicants, nurturing an inclusive environment where different perspectives and talents are celebrated.