District Manager - ACE Hardware

JOB SUMMARY: The District Manager position is responsible for the efficient, profitable, and safe operation of multiple Curt's Ace Hardware Stores. Successfully supervise, coach, and develop Store Managers within assigned district to consistently deliver an exceptional customer service experience.

This position is the key liaison between store leadership and the support center team and strongly represents ACE Hardware's core values, mission, and vision. This individual must be focused on store performance and profitability through effective implementation and execution of merchandising initiatives, leadership best practices, and focus on continuous improvement in the stores. This position is in place to ensure great team environments and must possess outstanding interpersonal leadership skills.

The District Manager plays an instrumental role in developing strong management teams and individuals via mentoring, coaching, training, and oversight, and must be a trusted resource to the store teams.

This is a field position with the expectation that 80% or more of the time is spent the stores, with any remaining time on merchandising, office, or administrative work.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Customer Service:

• Drive store sales by ensuring that all customers are acknowledged, customer project needs are met, and concerns are resolved quickly
• Follow and demonstrate the Ace Helpful S.A.L.E.S. process
• Ensure Customer Service Initiatives are sustained including but not limited to sales and cashier observations
• Oversee and grow ACE's ongoing Business to Business initiatives

Financial:

• Analyze and measure business trends; develop and implement plans to maximize sales and meet or exceed goals and objectives.
• Meet monthly and annual sales and gross profit objectives
• Operate district within monthly controllable expense guidelines and deliver targeted GP$/Labor$
• Influential in, and supportive of, the annual budget process ensuring understanding and buy-in from all parties
• Generates ideas about future retail activities to ensure an effective strategy; maintains up to date knowledge of the marketplace, competitors, and trends.

Human Capital:

• Proactively recruits leaders and identifies high potential internal associates working with store leadership to create individual development plans that lead to success at the next level
• Ensures that labor scheduling and utilization is in compliance with expectations
• Maintains a fair and consistent work culture that respects all team members
• Strives to become an "employer of choice" by creating a work environment where people love to work

Operational:

• Safety: ensure full compliance of company and OSHA workplace safety standards and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations with close oversight of Human Resources
• Inventory Control: ensure in assigned stores proper merchandise inventory levels to prevent out of stocks; meet customer demand and control shrink within company guidelines.
• Appearance, Retailing, & Merchandising Standards: ensure full compliance of company standards
• Programs & Promotions: review district execution of all company programs & promotions as per company policy
• Proactively seeks solutions to operational areas of concern such as service to customers, merchandising, store conditions, restroom cleanliness, etc.
• Work periodic shifts within your district to remain astute to the changing environment and challenges of your workforce
• Attends on-site work during normal business hours, in the typical work week, as well as additional time as needed to fulfill job duties through regular attendance

Training & Development:

• Provides managers with orientation and on-going support in order to provide the knowledge, skills, tools and confidence that enable incumbent's and new hires to achieve their full potential
• Responsible for follow up of managers for assigned stores to ensure that ongoing training and development of team members including the development of future store managers is being completed
• Provide immediate and continuous job performance feedback that is honest, insightful, and helpful
• Recognize performers but identifies low performers, sets goals, action steps, provides outside resources to improve performance

Merchandising/Marketing/Business Development

• Supports Ace Circulars and promotions. Creates unique events and promotions for stores.
• Builds the plan to support key seasons with the chain and individual stores
• Supervises all Ace Show and Discovery programs purchases and owns the profitability and sell though.
• Actively seeks new business opportunities brands or services at the chain or at store level and makes these ideas happen.
• Has a merchant mentality and grows that competency through the store teams.

Real Estate & New Store Development

• Collaborates with Real Estate for new locations and develops proformas
• Reviews potential acquisitions with finance and real estate then recommends to senior management

Relationships

• Maintain open lines of communication with all store associates, store supervisors, and the Support Center personnel.

Technology

• Use of computer keyboard, mouse, Zebra device, ACENET, Ace Learning Place, Epicor/Eagle, other software programs. Develops necessary competency in KVAT Corporate Systems.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field, preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in hardware or retail setting, or training preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must have good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to provide motivation and leadership to associates storewide in a fair and impartial manner.
• High degree of analytical skills, and the ability to delegate and be self-directed
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills
• Technically skilled in basic retail computer systems including related software
• Develop and maintain client relationships and strategic partnerships
• Dress according to company policy
• Possess valid in-state driver license with an acceptable driving record
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and/or written instructions, perform routine and repetitive tasks and have constant contact/interaction with various levels of individuals daily
• Ability to attend on-site work during normal business hours, in the typical work week, as well as additional time as needed to fulfill job duties through regular attendance

?Benefits of working for Food City:

401(k) with company match, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Weekly Pay Checks with Direct Deposit, Company paid Life and Disability Insurance, Medical Plan with wellness benefits, Dental Plan, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacations, Associate Offers, and so much more!

About Food City:

Food City is a privately held, family-owned company with a driving mission to "run the best store in town." Dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve, we encourage our associates to get involved with their local civic organizations. We consider our associates to be our greatest asset. Over 13% of the company is currently owned by our associates through our employee stock ownership plan, promoting tremendous pride in the services and products we provide. Whether your passion is baking, accounting, or trucking, Food City has a promising career opportunity for you. We offer flexible schedules to ensure our associates have ample time to spend with family and friends. If you're looking for a great career or the opportunity to try something different, consider becoming part of the Food City family.