Retail Manager

High Desert Museum; Bend, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon seeks a Salaried, Full-time Retail Manager to oversee inventory, budgeting, reporting, and purchasing for the Store, aligning with the Museum’s mission and values.

This role leads online and in-store retail initiatives, develops product and branding strategies, coordinates with Finance, Marketing & Communications, and other departments, and supports museum events. The position requires strong leadership, vendor relations, and forecasting abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in merchandising, retail management, finance, or business.
• CPR/First Aid certification or willingness to obtain.
• Experience with Lightspeed or similar cashier system.

Responsibilities

• Budgeting, reporting, pricing, discounting, and sales tracking.
• Oversee online and in-store inventory and purchasing schedules.
• Develop custom products and branding in collaboration with marketing.
• Support retail floor operations and events.

Skills

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Vendor relations

Reporting and analytics

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in merchandising, retail management, finance, or business

CPR/First Aid Certification

Tools

Lightspeed POS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salaried, Full-time, Exempt | $56,000+ depending on experience

Department: Visitor Experience | Direct Support: Visitor Experience Manager

The Retail Manager is responsible for ensuring that Silver Sage Trading remains financially successful and aligns with the Museum’s mission, vision, and values. The Retail Manager position is responsible for the oversight of inventory, budgeting, reporting, and purchasing for the Store. Under the direction of senior leadership, the Retail Manager will shape the purchasing strategy and recommend new products for the Museum’s store.

This position will develop and support the Museum’s new online retail presence in collaboration with the Finance, Marketing & Communications, and other Museum departments.

Essential Functions

Budgeting and Reporting (30%)

• Manages financial tasks, including preparing invoices and receipts, cash, and security. Oversees product pricing, discounting, and sales.
• Monitors and reports in-store and online sales performance by tracking key retail ratios and provides monthly retail reports.
• Updates retail records in Lightspeed.
• Facilitate internal operations by overseeing intradepartmental transfers.
• Completes monthly inventory report. Provides a weekly report for the Director of Marketing & Communications.
• In coordination with other departments, builds a realistic sales forecast based on anticipated attendance.

Product Orders and Vendor Relationships (30%)

• Oversee online and in-store inventory and maintains a schedule for ordering and receiving merchandise to accommodate special Museum moments such as exhibition openings and events.
• Updates and maintains a quarterly Ordering Schedule & Budget Tracker workbook.
• Identifies and recommends new products for in-store and online.
• Manages product sourcing and purchases.
• Manages the payment of vendors.
• Facilitates a good relationship with local vendors on behalf of the Museum.

Custom Product Development and Museum Branding (30%)

• Evaluates and plans product purchases, including custom and branded items in-store and online.
• Works with the Marketing & Communications team to develop custom products and store signage in support of specific products for exhibits, programs, and events.

Additional Duties (10%)

• Supports retail floor operations as needed.
• Maintains appearance of products and displays in-store and online.
• Explores licensing opportunities for the Museum.
• Contribute to and support the Museum’s DEAI initiatives.
• Contribute to and support the Museum’s AZA Accreditation.
• Assist with museum-wide events, such as Free Days, fundraising gala, etc.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in merchandising, retail management, finance, or business.
• Valid CPR/First Aid Certificate or willingness and ability to obtain.

Experience

• Prior experience with a LightSpeed system, or other cashier experience.
• Significant retail experience, preferably in a specialty or museum store
• Experience with buying and/or product development a plus.
• Strong sales experience, with a proven ability to work with vendors and staff.
• Prior experience coordinating and communicating with internal and external partners.Prior management experience database and inventory management experience.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong attention to detail, ability to use fine motor skills for extended periods of time.
• Verbal and written communication skills are necessary to effectively represent the museum in client, vendor, staff, and visitor relationships.
• Ability to build and maintain accurate reporting systems.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of staff and volunteers.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds, stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to learn new software.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Elements

• This position is indoors, but may require moving up and down stairs, sitting or standing for extended periods of time, lifting and/or carrying up to 40 pounds, extended use of fine motor skills, and elevated noise and crowding levels.
• This position requires the use of a provided Museum uniform.

Equipment Use

• Frequent computer and phone use.

A rugged, rocky mesa rises above a dry, grassy plain under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Sparse desert shrubs cover the foreground, and sunlight highlights the dramatic landscape.