Employment Opportunities

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Museum Shop Manager & Buyer

The Museum Shop Manager & Buyer is responsible for the strategic leadership, curated sourcing, and daily operational excellence of the Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Museum Shop. Additionally, this role serves as a Duty Officer, ensuring the security and smooth operation of the entire property during designated shifts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Merchandising & Procurement

• Develop and execute merchandising plans that optimize sales while adhering to annual expense budget.
• Source and select a high-quality product mix that interprets Thomas Jefferson’s life, architecture, and the history of the plantation, ensuring all merchandise supports the institution’s educational mission.
• Establish and maintain relationships with vendors, with a particular focus on sourcing unique items from local artisans and historically relevant craftsmen.
• Oversee the online storefront, managing digital sales, shipping, and e-commerce inventory.

Operations & Financial Management

• Manage the Square POS system, ensuring technical accuracy and data integrity.
• Prepare daily sales reports and develop the annual operating budget.
• Maintain thorough inventory controls, including regular audits and loss prevention, and submit monthly reports to the Director of Finance and Administration.
• Establish and enforce robust cash-handling protocols for the shop.

Team Leadership & Visitor Experience

• Schedule and train Duty Officers from the Museum Shop and Programs & Education Department.
• Schedule group tours.
• Recruit, train, and mentor Museum Shop associates, fostering a mission-focused culture.
• Maintain a daily master schedule for all staff to track duty, docents, and Shop coverage.
• Design staff schedules to ensure coverage for daily operations and special events.
• Input visitor data from TicketSignup and Square.
• Cultivate a retail environment that prioritizes engagement and educational value.

Site Stewardship & Duty Officer Responsibilities

• Serve as Duty Officer Monday-Friday, acting as the primary point of contact for site-wide issues and emergency response during assigned shifts.
• Manage property-wide opening and closing procedures, ensuring all buildings are secure, alarms are set, and the site is ready for public or private use.
• Support site accessibility by operating a golf cart and wheelchair lift to assist guests with mobility challenges.
• Respond to operational emergencies or visitor concerns across the property with a calm and professional demeanor.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3–5 years of retail management experience; prior experience in a museum or non-profit environment is highly preferred.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead a team and take initiative in high-responsibility situations (e.g., site supervision).
• Technical Savvy: Proficiency with POS systems (Square) and e-commerce platforms, as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, and Drive).
• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of sales forecasting, budgeting, and margin management.

Skills

• Emergency Management: Ability to stay calm under pressure and make sound decisions regarding site security and safety.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills for interacting with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Reliability: A high degree of integrity and punctuality for opening/closing responsibilities.

Time Commitment

• Standard Hours: 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours per day).
• Flexibility: Regular weekend, holiday, and special event availability is required. This role includes being part of the opening/closing rotation for the entire property.