Operations & Supply Supervisor

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park seeks an Operations & Supply Supervisor to manage stockroom SOPs, shipment processing, replenishment, price updates, and merchandising. You will support the Operations Manager to ensure asset protection and efficient inventory control, including receiving and reconciliation.

Position requires a high school diploma or GED with 3+ years of related experience; strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with 3+ years related experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to read receiving documents and verify shipments.

Responsibilities

• Receives and verifies merchandise shipments.
• Resolves receiving and inventory discrepancies.
• Inspects damaged merchandise and reports findings.
• Maintains clean, organized stockrooms and labeling of locations.
• Monitors inventory updates and communicates with staff.
• Safely operates company vehicles and pallet jack as needed.
• Supports shrink reduction initiatives and annual inventory prep.

Skills

Receiving and inventory management

Organizational skills

Communication

Technology proficiency

Education

High school diploma or GED

3+ years related experience

Tools

Forklift certification

Pallet jack operation

Job description

Application Deadline: 1 September 2026

Department: Smithsonian Enterprises

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Operations Manager

Compensation: $50,000 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: 08/25/2026

CLOSING DATE: 09/01/2026

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Indefinite

SCHEDULE: Full Time

DUTY LOCATION: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington, DC Position sensitivity and risk: Low Risk

Who May Apply:

• Unit Only

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to current Smithsonian Enterprises Employees only.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

The Operations & Supply Supervisor at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park is accountable for delivering on all aspects of stockroom / warehouse standard operating procedures (SOP) and achieving the brand standards for shipment processing, replenishment, price changes, and merchandising. This position is responsible for assisting and supporting the Operations and Area Manager, ensuring the efficient operation of Stores relative to asset protection, and inventory management, safety compliance, but limited to receipt of merchandise, processing, reconciling discrepancies, and organization of stockroom merchandise.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Receives and verifies merchandise shipments.
• Resolves receiving and inventory discrepancies.
• Inspects and reports damaged merchandise.
• Assists with inventory counts and audits.
• Supports inventory control and documentation.
• Safely transports merchandise as needed.
• Improves warehouse efficiency and organization.
• Rotates and stocks merchandise appropriately.
• Maintains clean, organized stockrooms.
• Labels and organizes inventory locations.
• Communicates inventory updates to staff.
• Monitors and replenishes store supplies.
• Supports shrink reduction initiatives.Assists with annual inventory preparation.
• Provides excellent customer and vendor service.
• Maintains product and exhibit knowledge.
• Follows and promotes safety procedures.
• Operates company vehicles safely.
• Maintains attendance and timekeeping standards.
• Follows leave and scheduling procedures.
• Complies with dress code and ID requirements.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education diploma (GED); and three or more years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Knowledge of receiving, distribution, and stocking methods in order to read and verify documents accompanying incoming merchandise.
• Must have strong organizational skills.
• Accepts direction and works productively with Operations Manager to maintain expected performance levels and behaviors.
• Ability to accept written and verbal instructions from Supervisor.
• Takes ownership of job and own actions.
• Takes initiative to offer ideas to effectively complete assignments.
• Is self-motivated and a self-starter.
• Is efficient and highly productive.
• Ability to communicate with others at all levels.
• Exhibits flexibility, openness to new ideas and is adaptable to change.
• Partners with fellow employees to achieve assigned job duties.
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner and maintains high-quality levels.
• Proficient with technology.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule when necessary, including early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and go up and down stairs with heavy merchandise.
• Must be able to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.
• Able to operate electronic and manual pallet jack.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, valid SI forklift certification (applicable to National Zoological Park only).

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo