Compensation Manager - On Site

acehardware; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 137,700 - 175,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Health insurance

Vacation (21 days)

Company car

Tuition assistance

Ace Cares Week

Employee discounts

Job summary

Ace Hardware Corporation is seeking a Compensation Manager to design, administer, and continuously improve compensation programs across corporate, field, distribution centers, executives, and subsidiaries. You will lead incentive plans, salary structures, and job evaluations, ensuring market competitiveness and alignment with Ace’s strategy.

You will partner with HR and business leaders, provide expert guidance on complex compensation matters, and mentor a team.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience developing and implementing broad-based compensation programs.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Finance or related field; CCP preferred.
• Experience with HRIS systems and reporting, preferably Workday.
• Experience leading base pay, bonus and short-term incentives.
• Knowledge of HR operations and compensation theory and practice.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage short- and long-term incentive plans that support business performance and talent retention
• Oversee salary structures, pay ranges, and compensation frameworks to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity
• Partner with HR and business leaders to implement compensation strategies and support organizational objectives
• Provide expert guidance on complex compensation matters and pay-related decisions
• Lead job evaluations and compensation analysis to support talent, promotion, and organizational planning decisions
• Identify and implement enhancements to compensation programs, policies, and processes
• Support compensation-related projects, acquisitions, and system initiatives, including Workday
• Prepare analysis and materials for the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
• Mentor, coach, and grow direct report(s)

Skills

Broad-based compensation programs

Workday experience

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Finance related field

CCP certification preferred

Tools

Workday

Job description

The Compensation Manager leads the design, administration, and continuous improvement of compensation programs that support Ace’s diverse workforce, including corporate, field, distribution center, executive, and subsidiary employees. The role oversees key programs such as merit increases, incentive plans, salary structures, and job evaluations while ensuring market competitiveness, business alignment, and legal compliance. Reporting to the Director, Compensation, Benefits & HRIS, this position serves as a trusted advisor to HR and business leaders on complex compensation matters. Through strong analytics, partnership, and program leadership, the role helps attract, retain, and reward talent while supporting Ace’s long-term business objectives.

What You’ll Do

• Design and manage short- and long-term incentive plans that support business performance and talent retention
• Oversee salary structures, pay ranges, and compensation frameworks to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity
• Partner with HR and business leaders to implement compensation strategies and support organizational objectives
• Provide expert guidance on complex compensation matters and pay-related decisions
• Lead job evaluations and compensation analysis to support talent, promotion, and organizational planning decisions
• Identify and implement enhancements to compensation programs, policies, and processes
• Support compensation-related projects, acquisitions, and system initiatives, including Workday
• Prepare analysis and materials for the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
• Mentor, coach, and grow direct report(s)

Who You Are

You are a strategic and analytical compensation professional who thrives on solving complex business challenges through data-driven insights, sound judgment, and strong stakeholder partnerships. You excel at balancing business needs, market competitiveness, and employee experience while influencing leaders, driving continuous improvement, and delivering compensation programs that support organizational success.

Required Skills

• 8 -10 years of demonstrated success with the development and implementation broad-based compensation programs
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance or related field, CCP preferred
• Previous experience with HRIS systems and reporting, preferably Workday
• Demonstrated experience leading compensation initiatives such as base, bonus and short-term incentives
• Knowledge of human resources operations and compensation theory and practice required

Compensation Details:

$137700 - $175600 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.

We 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 Employer

Ace 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.

Disclaimer

The 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.