Associate Category Manager – Supply Chain

Ace Hardware Corporation; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

401(k) with company match

Generous vacation

Job summary

Ace Hardware Corporation seeks an Associate Category Manager to drive strategic management of supply chain spend across indirect and capital categories in Oak Brook, IL. You will analyze data to identify savings, manage RFx events, and collaborate with stakeholders to optimize sourcing decisions while strengthening supplier governance.

Responsibilities include developing negotiation strategies, communicating recommendations, and delivering value through the sourcing process with Resolve and

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in relevant areas (Procurement, IT, Supply Chain, Marketing, Business Management, Operations, or Finance).
• 3–5 years of relevant sourcing/procurement experience.Required analytical, problem solving, organization and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders on supply chain and distribution-related sourcing initiatives.
• Lead RFx events, gather requirements, analyze results, and communicate recommendations to leadership.
• Support negotiation strategies and governance of spend with supplier relationships and governance teams.
• Develop clear project summaries, reports, and sourcing documentation; drive value delivery.
• Leverage data analytics and AI-enabled tools to improve research and sourcing efficiency.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication skills

Stakeholder relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree in Procurement / Supply Chain / IT / Finance

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

e-sourcing tools

Job description

## Associate Category Manager – Supply ChainApply: IL - Oak Brook: Full time: Posted Today: REQ-34566The Associate Category Manager will support the strategic management of Supply Chain spend categories, including the development, execution, and management of sourcing initiatives across indirect and capital expenditures. This role will conduct data analysis to identify cost optimization opportunities, support the development of negotiation strategies, and maintain ongoing communication with key stakeholders. You will collaborate with internal partners to optimize sourcing decisions, manage supplier relationships, and strengthen the governance of organizational spend.**What You’ll Do*** The Associate Category Manager will partner with business stakeholders on primarily supply chain and distribution-related sourcing initiatives. Responsibilities include obtaining stakeholder alignment, gathering business requirements and data, developing and managing RFx events, analyzing results, consulting with Procurement leadership on negotiation strategies, communicating recommendations, and demonstrating the value delivered through the sourcing process.* Conduct supplier, market, and industry research to understand category trends, competitive dynamics, emerging technologies, and supplier capabilities in support of category and sourcing strategies.* Build alignment around recommendations by clearly communicating business value, addressing stakeholder questions, and supporting informed decision-making.* Develop clear project summaries, reports, presentations, sourcing documentation, and knowledge resources.* Leverage procurement technology, data analytics, and emerging AI-enabled tools to improve research, analysis, sourcing efficiency, and the quality of business recommendations.* Support Indirect Procurement departmental goals, including sourced savings, spend under management, contract coverage, process rigor, and stakeholder engagement. **Who You Are**If you have a passion for procurement, a professional presence, an aptitude for relationship building, experience supporting supply chain initiatives, and the curiosity to learn and drive results, we welcome you to apply!**Required Skills*** An undergraduate degree in relevant areas such as Procurement, IT, Supply Chain, Marketing, Business Management, Operations, or Finance.* Ability to build relationships with stakeholders to gather requirements and specifications from departments and category experts.* Must possess 3-5 years of relevant experience (e.g. – sourcing, buying or procurement).* Must have strong analytical, problem solving, organization and project management skills.* Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.* Experience in e-souring/contracts management tool. **Preferred Skills*** Knowledge of the supply chain, distribution, logistics or related spend categories.* Experience supporting supplier negotiations and competitive sourcing events.* Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to analyze data and communicate recommendations clearly.* Familiarity with data visualization, automation, or AI-enabled productivity and analytical tools.**Compensation Details:**$88400 - $110700 per year**Why 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 compensation* Comprehensive 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 dependents* 21 days of vacation immediately available (prorated in the first year) and up to 6 paid holidays depending on the month of hire* Company Car, phone and fuel card are provided for field-based positions* Your 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 Foundation* Ace 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 review* We know the work environment matters. That’s why Ace holds frequent campus events like Employee Appreciation Week, vendor demos, cookouts, and merchandise sales* We 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 more* Birth/Adoption bonding paid time off* Adoption cost reimbursement* Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to free visits to therapists and lawyers, guidance on financial matters, elder and childcare, and assistance with tickets to entertainment events* Identity theft protection*\\* Benefits are provided in compliance with applicable policies.*