Assistant Retail Manager

Sandwich Glass Museum; Sandwich (MA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandwich Glass Museum is seeking an Assistant Manager to support daily operations of the Museum Shop. You will help oversee sales, purchasing, inventory, and e-commerce while coordinating staff and special events.

The role leads the shop in the Shop Manager’s absence and aims to develop the candidate to eventually assume the Shop Manager position. Strong organizational and customer-service skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Previous retail, supervisory, or management experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Experience with inventory management, purchasing, merchandising, or point-of-sale systems preferred.
• Comfortable handling cash, reconciling sales, and preparing deposits.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff in a positive and professional manner.
• Interest in art, glass, crafts, local artists is a plus.
• Experience with e-commerce or online retail is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Shop Manager with the daily operation and management of the Museum Shop.
• Lead the shop in the Shop Manager's absence, directing staff and ensuring smooth operations.
• Open and close the shop according to Museum procedures.
• Ensure accurate cash handling, register reconciliation, and bank deposits.
• Maintain a high standard of customer service and keep the shop clean and organized.
• Plan for special sales, seasonal events, and Museum programs.
• Coordinate product selection, merchandising, pricing, and inventory.
• Assist with vendor communications and purchase orders.
• Assist in training staff on customer service and sales procedures.
• Develop leadership skills toward stepping into the Shop Manager role.

Skills

Retail leadership

Customer service

Staff supervision

Inventory management

Cash handling

Merchandising

E-commerce collaboration

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Position Summary

The Assistant Manager plays a key leadership role in the successful operation of the Sandwich Glass Museum Shop. Working closely with the Shop Manager, this position supports the day-to-day management of the retail operation, including sales, purchasing, inventory, e-commerce, staff coordination, special sales, and financial procedures.

The Assistant Manager will serve as the lead manager in the Shop Manager’s absence and will be developed to assume the Shop Manager role in the future. This position requires a highly organized, customer-focused individual who is comfortable taking initiative, managing multiple priorities, supervising staff, and representing the Museum in a professional and welcoming manner.

Key Responsibilities

Retail Shop Operations

• Assist the Shop Manager with the daily operation and management of the Museum Shop.
• Take the lead role in the shop when the Shop Manager is not present, ensuring that the shop operates smoothly and that staff have the direction and support they need.
• Open and close the shop according to Museum procedures.
• Ensure accurate cash handling, register reconciliation, and preparation of bank deposits.
• Maintain a high standard of customer service and ensure the shop is clean, organized, well-stocked, and visually appealing.
• Monitor daily sales activity and identify opportunities to improve the customer experience and retail performance.
• Take a lead role in planning and preparing the retail shop for special sales, seasonal events, Museum programs, and other high-volume retail opportunities.
• Coordinate product selection, merchandising, pricing, inventory levels, displays, staffing, and operational needs for special sales.
• Assist with set-up and breakdown of special sales and ensure all merchandise is properly accounted for before and after events.
• Help develop creative merchandising presentations that support Museum events and seasonal sales goals.

Purchasing & Inventory Management

• Assist in day-to-day purchasing and inventory management in coordination with the Shop Manager.
• Monitor inventory levels and identify products that need to be reordered, rotated, discounted, or discontinued.
• Assist with vendor communications, purchase orders, receiving, pricing, and invoice processing.
• Assist in maintaining accurate inventory records and ensure new merchandise is properly entered, priced, tagged, displayed, and available for sale.
• Manage inventory rotation to keep merchandise fresh, seasonal, and aligned with customer demand.
• Assist in analyzing sales trends to inform purchasing and product selection decisions.
• Help maintain an appropriate balance between established best-selling merchandise and new products from artists and vendors.
• Work closely with the E-Commerce Lead to ensure that merchandise selected for online sales is appropriately managed.
• Coordinate inventory availability between the physical shop and online store.
• Communicate inventory changes, new product arrivals, discontinued items, and seasonal merchandise to the E-Commerce Lead.

Staff Support & Supervision

• Assist the Shop Manager with the scheduling, training, and day-to-day supervision of shop personnel.
• Provide guidance and direction to staff during daily operations and special sales.
• Help train staff on customer service, merchandise knowledge, sales procedures, cash handling, opening and closing procedures, and Museum policies.
• Serve as a resource for staff questions and resolve routine operational issues in the Shop Manager’s absence.
• Help foster a positive, collaborative, and professional shop environment.

Leadership Development

• Work closely with the Shop Manager to learn all aspects of the Museum Shop operation.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of purchasing, inventory management, staffing, sales, financial procedures, monthly reporting requirements, e-commerce, vendor relationships, merchandising, and special event operations.
• Gradually assume additional management responsibilities with the goal of being prepared to step into the Shop Manager position when needed.
• Serve as the Shop Manager’s primary operational support and designated backup.

Qualifications

• Previous retail, supervisory, or management experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Experience with inventory management, purchasing, merchandising, or point-of-sale systems preferred.
• Comfortable handling cash, reconciling sales, and preparing deposits.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions when the Shop Manager is not present.
• Ability to supervise and motivate staff in a positive and professional manner.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Comfortable working in a busy retail environment and managing multiple priorities.
• Interest in art, glass, crafts, local artists, museums, or cultural organizations is a plus.
• Experience with e-commerce or online retail is highly desirable.

The Assistant Manager is expected to be a visible and dependable leader within the Museum Shop . This individual should demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, accountability, and a willingness to learn all aspects of the retail operation.

The successful candidate will not simply assist with daily tasks but will develop the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to step into the Shop Manager role and maintain continuity of the Museum Shop's operations .

Why This Position Matters

The Museum Shop is an important part of the Sandwich Glass Museum's visitor experience and provides an opportunity to extend the Museum's mission beyond its galleries. Through thoughtful purchasing, strong merchandising, excellent customer service, and successful online and in-person sales, the Shop connects visitors with glass artists, local makers, and products that reflect the Museum's history and identity.

The Assistant Manager provides essential operational and leadership support while helping ensure that the Shop is financially successful, well organized, and prepared to grow. Developing this position as a successor to the Shop Manager also provides the Museum with important leadership continuity and institutional knowledge , reducing disruption when management responsibilities transition in the future.