About This Role

In this role you will manage the New Investor development across the Western half of the country. The goal is recruit new and qualify investors to systematically increase Ace’s market store count via our new store growth strategy and to lower atrophy through New Investors purchasing existing Ace stores for sale which will in turn grow overall market share through increased and improved store ownership.

The successful Business Development Manager will manage the interest-to-application process within the area of New Investor opportunities and evaluate key leads for the MDMs (Market Development Manager). The Business Development Manager is the Ace Brand Ambassador in the New Investor growth channel. In addition, they will create and communicate best practices and intelligence on how to activate New Investor opportunities.

What You’ll Do

• Recruit, educate and motivate qualified candidates: This includes sales, the development of a business plan and consulting with new investors. It is the ability and accountability to determine when to say ‘yes’ and (equally important) when to say ‘no’. The BDM has the front-line accountability on determining prospect business acumen, character, competence, and financial qualifications per Ace’s credit guidelines, identifying qualified candidates

• Achieve and exceed designated goals for the number of new store activations and New Investors acquiring existing Ace stores

• Partner with MDM on open market new store opportunities: Once the New Investor has been qualified, there is an understanding of the New Investor’s goals and where they would like to open a new Ace store, the BDM will partner with the local MDM to identify open market opportunities. The BDM will remain connected with the MDM and New Investor through the sales cycle to closing the sale

• In-depth knowledge of existing Ace stores for sale and identify opportunities to partner with BTM (Business Transaction Manager) to connect New Investor prospects with the seller. Successfully navigate the purchase process on behalf of the buyer while the BTM navigates the sale of the business on behalf of the seller

• Develop relationships: The BDM will develop relationships with New Investor prospects. The BDM will determine if the New Investor will be a good fit for the culture of Ace and is committed to owning and operating one of the best, most helpful hardware stores on the planet. The BDM will understand the goals of the prospect and connect them with the proper New Business partner to achieve those goals

• Actively participate in Market First Strategy: Participate in the identification, review, and final selection of development areas. Engage in the real estate site selection process following the selection of development areas. Partner with local MDM on activity in the target market. Connect qualified New Investors with the local MDM on development area opportunities

• Franchise Shows: Identify franchise show opportunities in your respective region of the country. Partner with the local MDMs to work the booth during the show. Onsite management of the execution of the booth and delivering qualified New Investor leads through the show efforts

Required Skills

• College Degree – Business or equivalent experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in retailing, franchising, real estate, or market development work

• Ability to develop, secure and close a new store opportunity

• Strong negotiation skills

• Strong presentation skills to a variety of ‘audiences’ – including wealthy investors, real estate brokers, lenders and existing Ace retailers

• Ability to create trust, respect, understanding and build strong working relationships

• Business Acumen – understand the economics of business and retailing

• Understanding of the lease negotiation process

• Strong understanding of capitalization and financing opportunities, methods, and processes

• Working knowledge of the balance between the benefit of store density and cannibalization along with the resultant ramifications of these on the Ace brand

• Franchise intelligence – knowledge of our ‘franchise’ competitors and how to uniquely position Ace against these other investment choices

• Ability to create strong, respected coalitions with all New Business and Retail Operations partners including: Vice President, Divisional Manager, Regional Manager, Market Development Manager, Business Transaction Manager, Project Manager. District Manager and Corporate Manager New Business

• Self-Starter with minimal supervision needed

• Ability to travel 70%+ of the year

#LI-JW1

Compensation Details:

$98000 - $110000 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 (rapid 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 9.6% 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.

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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.

Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,800 locally owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries operate an expansive network of distribution centers in the U.S. and have distribution capabilities in Ningbo, China; and Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico. Since 1924, Ace has become a part of local communities around the world and known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.