Notice to Applicant about this Employer: You are applying for a job with an independently owned cooperative member of Ace Hardware Corporation, who operates this Ace Hardware store, not Ace Hardware Corporation. The independent store owner alone is responsible for and independently makes all decisions concerning employment related matters, including hiring, firing, discipline, supervision, staffing and scheduling. Ace Hardware Corporation will not receive a copy of any applications submitted for this position, and will have no control over interviews and/or hiring decisions, does not control and is not responsible for the employment policies and practices of the independent store owner. If hired, the independent store owner will be your only employer. Ace Hardware Corporation is not the employer for this position. The Ace Hardware trademarks, logos and designs are owned by Ace Hardware Corporation and used by independent store owners under a license from Ace Hardware Corporation.
Positions available at Peoria, Germantown Hills and Morton Locations. Applicant must be willing to travel to each location.
About Nena Ace Hardware
Nena Ace Hardware was started in 1979 by brothers, Mike and Don Nena. We are affiliated with Ace Hardware Corporation based in Oak Brook, IL which is a retailer-owned hardware wholesaler that began operation in 1924. In 2015, the company expanded into Germantown Hills with a second location. In 2018, the company expanded into Morton with a third location.
Nena Hardware thrives to give our customers the best service that they can find on Earth and to provide them with the information required to make informed decisions. This information is delivered with a sense of confidence, warmth, fun, friendliness and individual pride. We thrive to solve problems through the foundation of hard work, ingenuity, and practical thinking.
General Summary
The Assistant Manager manages overall store operations and the achievement of company goals and directives.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Customer Service

• Provide positive representation of store.
• Proactively assist customers in solving problems.
• Greet customers entering and throughout the store. Thank customers when finished and when they are leaving the store.
• Provide a friendly, outgoing demeanor; work well with customers as well as associates.
• Ensure all calls and pages are answered promptly, courteously and effectively.
• Handle customer complaints. Work to resolve problems with the customer and have store’s best interest taken into consideration.
• Possess excellent product knowledge and knowledge of store layout and location of products.

Store Operations

• Ensure a positive, professional and safe work environment for all associates.
• Supervise the “general operations” of the entire store.
• Responsible for opening and closing the store.
• Assist with the implementation of Store Support Center programs.
• Ensure successful Loss Prevention, Safety and Internal Audits.
• Work with General Manager and Assistant Manager on all aspects of running the store.
• Participate in weekly management staff meetings.
• Communicate issues to the appropriate Store Support Center department with General Manager approval.
• Assist with special projects within the district as set forth by the District Manager.
• Implement new Standard Operating Procedures into store execution.
• Assist with daily maintenance, orderliness and cleanliness of the sales floor, stock room and outdoor merchandise areas.
• Ensure that weekly price changes and label updates are completed timely and accurately.
• Oversee all cashiering functions including training, maintenance, audits, and reports.
• Manage and direct preventative maintenance and repairs in order to maximize and protect all physical assets (i.e. building, fixtures and equipment).
• Visit competition to be familiar with what they are doing.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Inventory & Merchandising

• Assist to ensure forklift operations and receiving is completed in a safe and efficient way.
• Assist to ensure receiving, checking in and stocking of merchandise adheres to best practices and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Responsible for maintenance of back stock levels.
• Assist to ensure that cycle counts and negative on hand reports are completed timely and accurately.
• Assist in ordering and maintaining desirable product inventory levels to ensure in-stocks and store profitability.
• Assist with merchandise resets throughout the store.
• Assist to ensure all signage is current in the store.
• Assist in presenting a clean and orderly sales floor, including end caps and promotional and incremental merchandising.

Hiring & Training of Associates

• Assist in training of all associates.
• Actively recruit and promote the advancement of Nena Hardware associates.
• Assist in hiring, training, scheduling, reviewing, rewarding and coaching Head Cashiers and Cashiers with the approval of the General Manager.

Leadership

• Manage all aspects of store operations in the absence of the General Manager.
• Lead by example; be approachable by all associates and customers.
• Participate in store meetings.
• Communicate any merchandising, cost control or sales idea to the General Manager for follow up.
• Prepare and challenge yourself for future advancement.

Nena Hardware Core Values and Essential Requirements

• Maintain open availability
• Be Positively Enthusiastic
• Who do you want to be around? Who do customers want to be around? Attitude is contagious. Work hard and have fun while doing it!
• Deliver WOW through Customer Service
• Make each customer feel like they are the most important person in the world to us. The small things make the difference.
• Be Unique
• We need to be ever changing by offering new and unique products and services.
• Be Proud! Be Hungry! Stay Humble!
• Celebrate our accomplishments! Don’t rest on our laurels. Set the bar higher. You set your limit. Don’t lose focus on why we are here. Our Customers and Each Other.
• Seek Challenges and Opportunities
• Look for challenges and turn them into opportunities. They may seem daunting and make you feel uncomfortable but they are the only way to make you better. We never fail, we are just learning how to do things better. The only failure in life is failing to try.
• Build a Team Through Support, Accountability, Communication and Empowerment.
• Support each other. Hold yourself and each other accountable. Both the good and the bad. Communicate freely and often. Accept criticism as a way to grow. Empower each other to help grow our vision.
• Be Impactful
• Leave each situation better than how you found it. People, Places, and Surroundings.

Education
High School or GED equivalent. Completion of NHRA Advanced Course in Hardware Retailing recommended.
Experience
Previous retail management experience preferred. Hardware experience preferred.
Physical Demands
Standing, walking, lifting (up to 70lbs) and climbing.