Business Development Manager- Kansas City Market

About Westlake Ace Hardware

Ace Retail Holdings, the division of Ace Hardware Corporation that owns and operates the Westlake Ace Hardware chain, is one of the largest hardware retailers in the United States.  Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, Westlake Ace Hardware has been in operation for over a century and operates over 150 neighborhood stores located throughout the United States.  Great people make Westlake stand out in our industry, and we are looking for individuals who strive for personal and professional growth, and who want to work with a company founded on (and still led by) our solid Core Values of:

Service, Passion, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence

General Summary

As a successful BDM of Westlake Commercial (Commercial Division of Westlake Hardware), you will not only create incremental sales but will lead and motivate stores and their team members by example.  In addition to the overall goal of “more sales” your charge will be to create a new sales minded culture in these stores which supports repeatable, predictable and sustainable sales to our business customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Customer Facing

• Pursue commercial sales to businesses and multifamily property management customers which present opportunities for growth as a commercial account.  Opportunities will be identified in cooperation with the Director of Commercial Business, District Manager, Store General Managers, store personnel and market activities.
• Focused attention on growing sales with existing established commercial / business accounts through relationship based sales techniques and tactics.  Utilize reporting and in-store shopping habits / frequency to maximize sales growth opportunities among this customer group.   
• Within pre-determined guidelines the Business Development Manager will have the flexibility to establish special pricing, special orders and custom solutions as needed.
• Target specifically defined new commercial customer opportunities which are relevant in the market and have proven to represent significant potential of successful growth. 
• In cooperation with local in-store teams, develop new and existing commercial accounts through a variety of marketing, events, promotions, personal visits and special selection of merchandise.
• Participate in all local trade shows and attend client sponsored meetings.

Store Team Facing

• Business Development Manager will act as a conduit between our commercial customers and other store team members including the store’s General Manager and sales associates. 
• Coach, lead and train store team on best practices of business customer interaction and B2B fundamentals.
• Assist store’s team members in developing a B2B centric focus including developing a deeper relationship with new and existing commercial accounts. 
• Assist store’s leadership in developing a culture which is supportive of commercial sales growth.  Specifically, partnering with store GM and store’s B2B Champion to instill an understanding of the why and how to implement recommended business to business best practices and weave the B2B strategy into the store’s culture and daily operational practices.
• Partner with store staff to ensure B2B product needs and customer demands are met in a prompt fashion. 
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Other Essential Requirements

Ability to exhibit and incorporate our Core Values into daily decisions and interactions with others:

• SERVICE – Amaze our customers, our associates and our communities by delivering on our helpful promise.
• PASSION – Showing our love for the work we do, our customers, and our associates.
• RESPECT – A humble appreciation that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes us a stronger and better company and that every person is unique and valued.
• INTEGRITY – An authentic commitment to moral and ethical behavior.
• TEAMWORK – Together we can achieve extraordinary things.
• EXCELLENCE– A disciplined approach to achieve outstanding results through continuous improvement.

Minimum Skills, Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related discipline (or 5+ years relevant work experience).
• Deep understanding of retail operations, relationship sales skills, inventory management and business fundamentals.
• Refined interpersonal skills to engage with others, solid negotiating and conflict resolutions abilities.
• Able to foster teamwork and collaboration. Can motivate others both internal and external to perform enthusiastically.
• Ability to deliver necessary training across all levels inside the store.
• Ability to access the local competitive environment and develop appropriate B2B strategies.
• Must have excellent leadership capabilities, communication written and verbal, and attention to detail and follow up.
• Excellent PC skills including skilled knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint & Outlook as well as various MS Operating Systems.
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to work remotely with various corporate departments.
• Travel as required.
• Standing, walking, lifting (up to 50lbs) and climbing.

Compensation Details

$55000 - $65000 / year

Equal Opportunity Employer
Westlake Ace Hardware 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 discharge, or any other action covered by federal or state laws.