Manager of Retail Services & Merchandise

University-of-Main; Orono (ME); On-site; USD 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Bookstore at the University of Maine seeks a Manager of Retail Services & Merchandise to lead buying, inventory, and merchandising strategies for campus stores and e-commerce. You will supervise the merchandise buying team, collaborate on marketing plans, and seek opportunities to expand the UMaine brand beyond campus.

Typical hiring range for this position is $52,000 to $55,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business, retail, or related field.
• 3–5 years in retail, merchandising, or related roles.
• Strong organizational and analytical abilities.
• Experience with vendors and inventory management.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Driver's license and occasional travel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee ordering and inventory for University Bookstore, Bear Necessities Fan Shop, and e-commerce.
• Lead merchandising team and develop buying strategies.
• Collaborate on merchandising and marketing plans and expand UMaine brand beyond campus.

Skills

Organizational skills

Decision making

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Negotiation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Excel

POS systems

Inventory management software

Job description

Join our team at the University Bookstore, a dynamic retail environment at the heart of the vibrant University of Maine campus!

The Manager of Retail Services and Merchandise manages the ordering and inventory of collegiate licensed merchandise for the University Bookstore, Bear Necessities Fan Shop, and their e-commerce platforms. This position leads activities of the merchandise buying team, and the development and collaboration of merchandising and marketing plans while seeking out and developing opportunities to expand the UMaine brand beyond campus. Typical hiring range for this position is $52,000 to $55,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please review the Manager of Retail Services & Merchandise job description for more information.

About the University:

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefitsfor employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.

Qualifications:

• Typically has the education associated with a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and 3-5 years of experience in retail sales, merchandise selection, product management, buying and/or working with vendors.
• Highly organized and able to adapt to quickly changing priorities.
• Strong decision-making, analytical, relationship-building, and negotiation skills.
• Effective computer skills with proficiency in Word and Excel, and experience with retail POS and inventory management systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Occasional travel is required, typically requiring a driver’s license.
• Experience with assortment planning, merchandising, marketing, visual merchandising, and collegiate merchandise selection.
• College industry experience, particularly with insignia apparel and merchandise.
• Experience in retail buying and working with vendors.
• Experience in inventory management.

Preferred:

• Experience with technology and data analysis, including open-to-buy software and/or plans.
  

Other Information:

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.