Merchandise Manager

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford Golf Course at Stanford University seeks an experienced Merchandise Manager to lead golf shop merchandising and create a premier retail experience for members, guests, and visitors.

You will drive purchasing decisions, manage inventory, collaborate with operations, and develop promotions to maximize revenue while maintaining exceptional service standards. A bachelor’s degree and golf retail experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• PGA of America membership preferred.
• Minimum two years of experience managing golf merchandise operations, retail operations, or a similar hospitality environment.
• Experience with purchasing, inventory management, vendor relationships, and retail operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily golf shop merchandising operations and maintain a premier retail experience.
• Develop and implement merchandising strategies aligned with member preferences and Stanford Golf Course standards.
• Manage product selection, inventory levels, purchasing decisions, and seasonal merchandise planning.
• Establish and maintain retail standards for product presentation, organization, and customer service.
• Support training, scheduling, and development of golf shop employees.
• Analyze sales trends, inventory performance, margins, and product demand to guide purchasing decisions.
• Coordinate merchandise receiving, pricing, product displays, and inventory controls.

Skills

Merchandising leadership

Vendor relationships

Inventory management

Purchasing decisions

Customer service

Retail operations

Pricing & display

Education

Bachelor’s degree

PGA membership preferred

Tools

Oracle Financials

POS systems

Club Caddie

Inventory software

Microsoft Word

Excel

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Description

Position Type: Onsite, 5 days per week

Budgeted Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,656 annually

Position Overview

Stanford University Golf Course is seeking a highly motivated and business-minded golf professional to serve as the Merchandise Manager . Reporting directly to the Head Golf Professional, this position is responsible for leading all golf shop merchandising operations, including purchasing, inventory management, retail strategy, vendor relationships, and the overall member and guest retail experience. The Merchandise Manager plays a critical role in developing a premier golf retail environment that reflects the Stanford Golf Course brand while maximizing revenue opportunities, maintaining strong financial performance, and delivering exceptional service to Stanford members, guests, student-athletes, university partners, and visitors.

Primary Areas of Focus

Golf Shop Operations & Retail Leadership

• Lead daily golf shop merchandising operations and maintain a premier retail experience.

• Develop and implement merchandising strategies aligned with member preferences, golf industry trends, and Stanford Golf Course standards.

• Manage product selection, inventory levels, purchasing decisions, and seasonal merchandise planning.

• Establish and maintain retail standards for product presentation, organization, and customer service.

• Support training, scheduling, and development of golf shop employees.

Merchandise Purchasing & Inventory Management

• Manage vendor relationships, purchasing processes, and merchandise procurement.

• Analyze sales trends, inventory performance, margins, and product demand to guide purchasing decisions.

• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while maximizing sales opportunities and minimizing excess inventory.

• Coordinate merchandise receiving, pricing, product displays, and inventory controls.

• Utilize POS systems, inventory platforms, and reporting tools to support business decisions.

Member Experience & Revenue Development

• Create an engaging retail experience for members, guests, and visitors.

• Identify opportunities to enhance merchandise offerings, increase retail engagement, and support revenue growth.

• Collaborate with golf operations and programming teams on events, promotions, and merchandise initiatives.

• Support tournament, member event, and university merchandise needs.

Operations Support & Strategic Initiatives

• Support temporary facility operations during the Clubhouse renovation transition.

• Assist with operational planning, inventory logistics, and retail continuity during facility changes.

• Collaborate with DAPER leadership, vendors, and university partners.

• Serve as a key operational resource to the Head Golf Professional.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

• PGA of America membership preferred.

• Minimum two years of experience managing golf merchandise operations, retail operations, or a similar hospitality environment.

• Demonstrated experience with purchasing, inventory management, vendor relationships, and retail operations.

• Strong understanding of golf equipment, apparel, merchandise trends, and customer preferences.

• Experience managing merchandise operations at a private club, resort, university, or premier golf facility.

• Experience with Oracle Financials, purchasing systems, inventory management software, and reporting tools.

• Experience with Club Caddie, POS systems, and golf management technology platforms.

• Experience developing retail promotions, merchandising campaigns, and customer engagement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Traits

• Fundamental knowledge of the game of golf, golf equipment, apparel, merchandise trends, and customer preferences.

• Strong understanding of retail operations, merchandising strategy, inventory management, purchasing processes, and financial performance.

• Fundamental supervisory practices and principles with the ability to train, coach, and develop golf shop employees.

• Act as a role model for all employees by demonstrating professionalism, integrity, accountability, and the exceptional service standards expected of Stanford Golf Course employees.

• Strong organizational, planning, prioritization, and project management skills.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze sales trends, margins, inventory performance, and purchasing decisions.

• Self-motivated with a desire to promote merchandise initiatives, enhance retail engagement, and increase revenue opportunities.

• Service and customer-focused attitude with a commitment to creating a premier retail experience.

• Excellent written and oral business communication skills.

• Strong vendor relationship management and negotiation abilities.

• Experienced user of Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Workspace, POS systems, inventory platforms, and business management applications.

• Ability to remain current on golf merchandise trends, apparel brands, retail strategies, marketing initiatives, and customer engagement practices.

• Attend conferences, workshops, meetings, and trade shows to remain current on retail and golf industry trends.

• Maintain and promote a positive professional image within Stanford University, the golf industry, vendors, and the community.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions.

• Ability to stand, walk, and perform operational duties throughout the golf facility.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, merchandise, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to operate university vehicles as required.