Museum Store Buyer Manager, Andy Warhol Museum

Carnegie Museums; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading museum is seeking a Museum Store Buyer to enhance the visitor experience and drive revenue through strategic product offerings and exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate will have proven retail buying experience, strong analytical skills, and a passion for engaging exhibits, contributing to the continuing legacy of the Arts in the community.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a retail buyer.
• Minimum of two years’ managerial experience.
• Familiarity with market research and forecasting techniques.

Responsibilities

• Leads execution of store's mission to enhance visitor experience and drive revenue.
• Evaluates supplier options and negotiates for better prices.
• Maintains oversight of daily store functions and staff management.

Skills

Customer Service

Negotiation

Data Analysis

Organizational Skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Museum Store Buyer Manager, Andy Warhol Museum

Carnegie Museums - The Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America Req #1587

The Warhol is one of the four Carnegie Museums, a collaborative project between Carnegie Institute, Dia Art Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Plans to house The Warhol in Pittsburgh were announced in 1989, and the museum opened its doors during a 24-hour celebration on May 13, 1994. Originally built in 1911 as a distribution center for products sold to mills and mines, The Warhol was redesigned by architect Richard Gluckman and features seven floors of gallery and exhibition space as well as an underground level that houses The Factory education studio and the conservation lab. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.

This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums' many Benefits. Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.

The Museum Store Buyer

• Leads the execution of the Store’s mission of enhancing the visitor experience and producing revenue for the museums through engaging product offerings and excellent customer service.
• Identifies customer preferences and forecasts consumer trends.
• Analyzes sales and market trends and applies this knowledge to make insightful buying decisions.
• Discovers & purchases new products and checks the quality and popularity of those already on our shelves.
• Evaluates supplier options and negotiates with suppliers to secure competitive prices, quality, and terms to deliver value to our customers.
• Directs merchandise placement and maintenance of product displays.
• Maintains oversight of the day-to-day functions of the store through direction of store staff, including hiring, training, developing, supervising, and coaching.
• Achieves financial objectives by driving sales and service through trained & motivated staff, controlling budget expenditures, analyzing variances, initiating corrective actions, and maintaining inventory control.
• Maintains professional & technical knowledge by attending trade shows & fairs, educational workshops & conferences, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a retail buyer or relevant role.
• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Business Administration or relevant field preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ managerial experience, preferably in a high-volume retail or museum store setting.
• Familiarity with market research, data analysis & forecasting techniques.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Experience in personnel management, merchandising, and inventory control.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated success in generating maximum profit while providing outstanding customer service.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with Museum Upper Management, donors, and customers with tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent organizational skills with timely follow-through and attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, creative thinking, and problem solving while handling multiple tasks.
• Ability to work a varied schedule including some holidays, weekends, and evenings.

Physical Requirements: Mental, emotional, and physical stamina to handle demands and varied personalities. Ability to lift and transport boxes (up to 30 pounds), climb ladders, stoop, bend, work in confined spaces, handle stock, and stand for long periods.

Employment Training: Three months.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Supervises all store staff, including hiring, training, coaching, scheduling, motivating, and conducting performance evaluations. Promotes effective communication and leadership, ensuring staff provide outstanding customer service and engagement.
• Researches, selects, and purchases product assortments matching museum collections and exhibitions. Keeps current on visitor profiles and industry trends to maximize ROI.
• Directs merchandise placement, visual displays, and staff training on new products to maximize sales and profits.
• Adds and maintains products and photos on e-commerce channels, categorizing products appropriately for marketing initiatives.
• Maintains knowledge of inventory systems and online order fulfillment, verifying merchandise deliveries, pricing, and timely online order processing.
• Analyzes sales performance to optimize product profitability.
• Develops branded products related to collections and exhibitions, collaborating with Museum Directors, curators, educators, and marketing for input.
• Creates and manages special product-related events.
• Ensures compliance with daily sales deposits, audits, and cash controls.
• Maintains and reports on POS systems, resolving issues promptly.
• Conducts physical inventories, reconciles discrepancies, and assists with inventories across all CMP stores.
• Oversees store back-office organization and stockroom storage.
• Performs all functions of the Sales Associate as needed, including opening/closing registers and daily settlement.
• Oversees e-commerce sales, fulfillment, and customer service, including content and inventory management.
• Travel required for trade shows, fairs, and conferences.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application, are required upon employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Obtaining these clearances is part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position and is not a detailed description of all work requirements. It does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will employment relationship.

*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The ADA requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual is qualified if they can perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Essential functions are tasks fundamental to the job, assessed based on frequency, specialization, impact of removal, and other factors. For questions or guidance, contact Human Resources.