REQ-33321
Panama City, Panamá | Corporate
About This Role
The Assistant Merchant is responsible for all aspects of support for a product category, including but not limited to category review support, promotional planning, show prep, retailer communication, SKU on-boarding, and maintenance and special projects as assigned for Ace International in Panama.
The position is designed as a support role, as well as development step in all aspects of the buying department to prepare a candidate for full category responsibility as an Associate Merchant.
The Assistant Merchant:
- Executes the current year plan that has been laid out by the Merchant.
- Responsible for all aspects of support for a product category.
- Assists with teams’ responsibilities and projects, including category reviews, promotional planning processes, show preparation, retailer communication, SKU onboarding and maintenance, and special projects as assigned.
- Expected to consider enterprise (International, Mexico and Leveraging ACE USA) impact with all decisions.
What You'll Do
Category Review Support
- Support the Merchant throughout all phases of the category review process.
- Request and prepare category analytics to inform decision-making.
- Participate in vendor meeting preparation, item selection, planogram development, marketing, and retailer execution.
- Contribute to maximizing the wholesale margin for the category.
Promotional Planning Support
- Organize and secure vendor marketing assessments.
- Assist in soliciting promotional items from vendors.
- Help manage promotional documentation, including item submission forms, target pricing, correction notices, and ad proofing.
Retailer Communication
- Provide daily customer service support to retailers.
- Assist in communicating new programs, updates, and issue resolutions.
Convention Planning Support
- Help select and invite vendors for the semi-annual convention.
- Prepare show materials, including drop ship forms and promotional SKU submissions.
- Assist in planning and executing the merchant area theme for the assigned category.
Inventory/Supply Chain Support
- Assist in identifying and resolving vendor service issues.
- Support inventory planning for promotional items.
- Lead the processing of initial orders for new programs.
Systems Support
- Lead SKU onboarding for the department.
- Manage item master data and implement price changes.
Product Development
- Assist in gathering information, test reports, and documentation for new items.
- Support the creation of packaging for new products.
- Collaborate with vendors and cross-functional teams on product development initiatives.
Special Projects
- Lead assigned departmental and cross-functional projects.
- Manage category refreshes (L1) under the guidance of the International Merchant.
Who You Are
- Demonstrates a strong passion for products and curiosity about the retail marketplace, actively applying this interest in daily work.
- Applies advanced business acumen and strategic thinking to draw insights from data and guide category growth.
- Builds and leverages internal and external networks—including vendors, retailers, and cross-functional teams—to influence outcomes and improve processes.
- Maintains a results-oriented mindset, taking full accountability and adjusting strategies as business conditions evolve.
- Communicates clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats, with the ability to present strategies and updates to leadership, vendors, and retailers.
- Analyzes issues and proposes practical solutions, demonstrating strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Takes appropriate risks and follows through on initiatives with creativity, flexibility, and adaptability.
- Manages multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality output.
- Demonstrates strong negotiation skills and the ability to simplify complex tasks and processes.
Required Skills
- Holds a Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Merchandising or Business) or has equivalent work experience.
- Has a minimum of 2 years of retail buying experience.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Possesses strong interpersonal skills and corporate financial acumen.
- Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.
- Experienced with SAP, SAP B1, and guided ad-hoc reporting tools.
- Willing and able to travel up to 15%.
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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.