Museum Shop Assistant Manager

BALLOON MUSEUM FOUNDATION; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

The Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation seeks a Museum Shop Assistant Manager to lead daily operations of the gift shop at the Albuquerque Balloon Museum.

You'll supervise staff in the shop, greet visitors, process sales, manage inventory, and coordinate with museum leadership on exhibitions and events. This role is part-time, non-exempt, with a flexible schedule three to four days a week.

Qualifications

• At least one year of retail or customer service experience is required.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience with inventory management or retail purchasing is a plus.
• Experience with Square or another POS/inventory system is a plus.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience is helpful.
• Additional education or training in business, retail, merchandising, or a related field is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors and provide friendly, knowledgeable customer service.
• Operate the sales register and process purchases accurately.
• Promote and sell Museum memberships.
• Help visitors find the perfect gift or souvenir.
• Keep the Museum Shop clean, organized, inviting, and well merchandised.
• Receive, code, price, and process incoming merchandise.
• Restock merchandise and monitor inventory levels.
• Identify products that need to be reordered and assist with placing orders.
• Assist with inventory audits and other inventory-related projects.
• Enter and maintain accurate product and inventory information in the point-of-sale system.
• Assist with merchandising, displays, and seasonal shop changes.
• Work with vendors and Museum leadership to help maintain appropriate inventory levels.

Skills

Friendly

Customer service

Organized

Detail-oriented

Team player

Self-motivated

Calm under pressure

Good communicator

Reliable

Technology-friendly

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Square POS

Inventory system

Job description

Love museums, retail, and helping people find the perfect gift?

The Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation is looking for a friendly, organized, and enthusiastic Museum Shop Assistant Manager to join our team!

The Museum Shop is an important part of the visitor experience at the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. From unique balloon-themed gifts, science and art, local treasures, books, apparel, and memorable souvenirs, our shop helps visitors take a little bit of their museum experience home with them.

We're looking for someone who enjoys people, retail, and a little bit of everything. You'll greet visitors, ring up sales, keep the shop looking great, help manage inventory, and support the day-to-day operation of the Museum Shop. This is a hands-on position for someone who is dependable, detail-oriented, comfortable taking initiative, and enjoys being part of a small team.

The Assistant Manager reports to the Executive Director and will help oversee Museum Shop operations and staff when the Executive Director is away.

What You'll Do

Create a Great Visitor Experience

• Welcome visitors and provide friendly, knowledgeable customer service.
• Operate the sales register and process purchases accurately.
• Promote and sell Museum memberships.
• Help visitors find the perfect gift or souvenir.
• Keep the Museum Shop clean, organized, inviting, and well merchandised.

Help Keep the Shop Running Smoothly

• Receive, code, price, and process incoming merchandise.
• Restock merchandise and monitor inventory levels.
• Identify products that need to be reordered and assist with placing orders.
• Assist with inventory audits and other inventory-related projects.
• Enter and maintain accurate product and inventory information in the point-of-sale system.
• Assist with merchandising, displays, and seasonal shop changes.
• Work with vendors and Museum leadership to help maintain appropriate inventory levels.

Support Cash & Financial Operations

• Open and close the sales register according to established procedures and verify the accuracy of register openings and closings performed by other staff.
• Follow best practices for cash handling, counting, deposits, and drawer procedures.
• Assist the Executive Director with basic sales reporting, inventory, and financial tasks.
• Help monitor sales and identify trends or opportunities within the Museum Shop.

Be a Team Leader

• Serve as the supervisor for Museum Shop staff in the absence of the Executive Director.
• Assist with staff scheduling and training as needed.
• Help ensure staff follow Museum Shop procedures and provide excellent customer service.
• Support special Museum programs and public and private events.
• Work collaboratively with Museum staff and leadership to coordinate shop offerings with exhibitions, programs, and special events.

And Sometimes…Whatever Needs to Be Done!

We're a small team, so flexibility is important. From rearranging a display to helping with a special event, there will always be something interesting happening. Other duties may be assigned as needed. We do work additional hours surrounding the Balloon Fiesta®.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is:

• Friendly and personable — you genuinely enjoy interacting with people.
• Reliable and responsible — you show up, follow through, and can be counted on.
• Organized and detail-oriented — you can keep track of merchandise, money, information, and deadlines.
• Self‑motivated — you're comfortable working independently and taking initiative.
• A team player — you enjoy working with others and pitching in wherever needed.
• Calm under pressure — you can keep a smile on your face when the shop gets busy.
• Comfortable with technology — experience with Square point‑of‑sale/inventory system is a plus.
• A good communicator — you can communicate effectively with visitors, coworkers, vendors, and Museum leadership.
• Interested in museums, art, aviation, history, or ballooning — not required, but definitely a plus!

Qualifications

• At least one year of retail or customer service experience required.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience with inventory management or retail purchasing is a plus.
• Experience with Square or another POS/inventory system is a plus.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience is helpful.
• Additional education or training in business, retail, merchandising, or a related field is a plus.

The Details

This is a part-time, non‑exempt position with a regular schedule of approximately three‑four days per week, with occasional additional weekday, evening, weekend, or holiday hours.

Because the Museum hosts special programs, public events, and private events throughout the year, some flexibility in scheduling is important.

The position requires the ability to:

• Stand and move around the shop for extended periods.
• Lift and move merchandise weighing approximately 20–30 pounds.
• Use a step stool or ladder to stock and merchandise displays.
• Occasionally bend, kneel, or work near floor level.
• Work effectively in a busy, visitor‑focused environment.

Why Work With Us?

You'll work in a unique museum environment, meet visitors from around the world, learn about the fascinating world of ballooning, and help create memorable experiences for our guests.

We're a small team that values great customer service, creativity, reliability, and teamwork.

If you're someone who can balance a cash drawer, restock a display, help a visitor find the perfect gift, and enjoy a little ballooning along the way, we'd love to hear from you!

The Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.