Senior Retail Manager
Colgate University
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Colgate Bookstore in Hamilton, NY, part of Colgate University, is seeking a procurement professional to manage insignia and general merchandise. You will oversee sourcing, budgeting, and vendor relations to drive sales and profitability on campus.
The role requires 3 years of buying retail apparel and gifts, a strong background in retail accounting and inventory systems, and proven leadership. On-site schedule with weekend rotation; offers competitive benefits and perks.
Qualifications
- Proven ability to provide high standard of customer service with enthusiasm.
- Three years buying experience in retail apparel and gifts is required.
- Deep understanding of retail accounting, inventory management, and retail purchasing/marketing systems is required.
- Ability to work on weekends in rotation and some evenings.
- Proven success with team leadership and strong communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Procure Insignia and Non-Insignia general merchandise.
- Meet annual budgets for revenue, inventory, cash flow and profitability.
- Ensure inventory levels align with annual sales goals.
- Develop/maintain strong vendor relationships.
- Attend industry trade shows and stay updated on insignia trends.
- Maintain excellent visual merchandise standards on the selling floor.
- Supervise staff, hire, assess performance, and support development.
Skills
Education
Job description
Work Arrangement type On-Site (Hamilton, NY) – expected to work fully at the designated campus/office location.
Hiring Wage/Salary Range $68,000 - $72,000
- Proven ability and strong desire to provide a high standard of customer service with enthusiasm and energy.
- Three years buying experience in retail apparel and gifts required.
- Deep understanding of retail accounting, inventory management, retail related information systems and retail purchasing and marketing required.
- Ability to work on weekends in a rotation and some evenings.
- Proven success with team leadership with strong communication skills.
- Experience working with insignia products preferred.
- Experience working in a higher education or similar setting is preferred.
Associates Degree and retail experience required.
Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education and experience through which comparable skills are obtained are highly preferred.
When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.
Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Colgate University offers a competitive benefits package, with most benefits effective on the date of hire. Highlights include: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, paid family leave, health & wellness, continuing education and professional development. We also offer unique perks, such as free parking, gym discounts, bookstore savings, athletic tickets, and access to cultural and recreational facilities. Explore the full benefits package on our Benefits page .
The Colgate Bookstore is Central New York’s largest independent bookstore, located in a historic three-story building in the heart of Hamilton. We are owned and operated by Colgate University and are committed to upholding the University’s standard of excellence in fostering and inviting and inclusive atmosphere and providing exceptional, personalized service to all.
Accountable for the effective procurement of Insignia and Non-Insignia general merchandise. Accountable for meeting annual budgets for revenue inventory, cash flow and ultimately the profitability of general merchandise products. Ensures inventory levels are in alignment with annual sales goals. Responsible for collaborating with multiple departments, including Alumni Relations and Athletics on special orders, events and new revenue opportunities. Responsible for developing and maintaining strong vendor relationships. Attending industry trade shows and educational sessions to stay up to date on trends for insignia and non-insignia products. Maintain excellent visual merchandise standards on the selling floor. Assist other departments within the store as needed.
Responsible for the effective supervision of staff as assigned. Ensures selection and hiring of high quality employees; ensures appropriate distribution of work assignments and high quality of employee work product; ensures fair and accurate performance assessments and feedback to include identifying areas for professional development and documenting and conducting disciplinary measures, as needed. Responsible for ensuring fair and accurate decisions regarding employment status (hire, promotion, salary increases, termination); ensures the creation of effective opportunities and programs for employee mentoring, development and sustained performance.
Requisition Number 2026S060Posting
Temporary No
Job Open Date 07/08/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of skills and experience, capacity to do the job, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.
CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS
The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at: https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/campus-safety-staff/clery-compliance . Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu .
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Are you currently a Colgate employee?
- Yes
- No
- * Have you ever been a Colgate employee?
- Yes
- No
- Do you have a spouse/domestic partner who currently is, or will be, employed at Colgate University?
- Yes
- No
- * Are you at least 18 years of age?
- Yes
- No
- * Please let us know how you heard about this position.
- Albany Times Union
- Binghamton Press & Sun
- BlackCoachesinSports
- Careerbuilders.com
- Cazenovia Republican
- Centralnewyorkhelpwanted.com
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Chronicle of Philanthropy
- Colgate Employee
- Colgate Website
- CoSIDA
- Diverse Issues of Higher Education
- HERC (Upstate New York HERC)
- HigherEdJobs.com
- Indeed.com
- InsideHigherEd.com
- Mid-York Weekly
- NACWA
- naviGATE
- NCAA News
- Norwich Evening Sun
- Oneida Daily Dispatch
- Sherburne News
- Studentaffairs.com
- Syracuse Post Standard
- Utica Observer Dispatch
- Waterville Times
- WomenLeadersinCollegeSports.com
- Other
- If you selected "Colgate Employee" or "Other" for how you heard about this position, please provide the employee's name or where you heard about/saw the position.
(Open Ended Question)
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