Museum Store Manager

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu .

Museum of Art Job Description

Job Summary

Started in 2003, the SCMA museum store is a retail space located within the lobby of the museum. The museum store manager is directly responsible for the overall operation, management, performance and atmosphere of the museum shop. Through exemplary customer service skills, the manager is integral to promoting an inclusive, welcoming and engaging environment for visitors to SCMA and the SCMA museum store. Through inclusive leadership collaborate in building a positive culture within the Museum Store that advances the mission of SCMA and aligns with the museum's core values and a shared commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion. The manager coordinates all daily operations of the museum store and part-time staff members working in the store. In addition to managing the physical store, the manager maintains the SCMA eCommerce (Shopify) sales platform. The manager engages with various college departments and alumni organizations to develop new initiatives to promote the museum store and the museum. The manager engages with downtown Northampton initiatives to ensure that the museum and store are part of the broader community.

A cover letter and resume are required for this application. We will begin reviewing applications on July 20th. As part of our commitment to equity and inclusion we are using inclusive hiring practices in this search that may slow the process down slightly.

Daily responsibilities:

• Through inclusive leadership and by collaboratively working with museum store staff, ensure exemplary customer service goals are achieved.
  
  
• Coordinate and communicate staff coverage schedule.
  
  
• Supervise, hire and train sales staff.
  
  
• Handle and process all daily receipts for physical/ecommerce store.
  
  
• Track daily/quarterly/annual performance via KPI and POS reports to ensure that the store achieves key financial targets.
  
  
• Maintain the display and overall appearance of the museum store.
  
  
• Serve as the museum point-person for maintenance of the POS system and support staff members in using the system.
  
  
• Maintain communication with vendors and customers on-site and on-line.
  
  
• Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
  
  

Essential Functions:

• Selling inventory – connecting with potential customers to explain value of each item selected for Museum Store, and training and informing museum store staff on products and vendors. Ability to meet or exceed annual sales goal of $160,000.
  
  
• Hiring and training part-time staff – ability to build positive culture within the Museum Store that advances the mission of SCMA and aligns with the museum's core values and a shared commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion. Ensure staff have the technical capability (POS) and inventory knowledge to support the goals (financial and developmental) of the store.
  
  
• Budget management and analysis – the Museum Store is a business within the museum, and the manager will need to continually track effective strategies and methods for accomplishing the goals of the store. Responsible for achieving store financial objectives. Analyze and monitor sales progress and results against budget and key targets. Adjust budget and OTB plans accordingly.
  
  
• eCommerce -- Oversee and direct the eCommerce SCMA Shop (Shopify). Create content, manage online product offerings/promotions and supervise online sale strategies, including members’ and annual sale events. Maintain overall design of site in accordance with SCMA brand style guidelines. Fulfill and process all online orders. Collaborate with SCMA departments to optimize Museum store presence, exposure and communication to members and the general public through the Museum's website and social media.
  
  
• Buying – Selecting and directly working with vendors whose inventory accomplishes several goals: designer/makers, businesses and individuals that prioritize DEAI, fair and equitable trade organizations, BIPOC centered and women owned/operated businesses, and inventory that links to SCMA’s exhibits and programs. Some travel will be required to attend trade shows/fairs for buying.
  
  
• Merchandising inventory in Museum Store – strategic and artistic arrangement of varied inventory throughout the store’s display units.
  
  
• Product development-work with vendors to develop products that are unique and focused on the SCMA collection and/or special exhibitions.
  
  

Other Functions:

• In Person/Special Events -· Supervise, organize, promote and directly participate in annual in-person Smith Alumnae/SCMA Members’ events and sale events. Collaborates with various SCMA Departments and Smith College departments to ensure events are a financial success and promote the Museum's mission.
  
  
• All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

High School Diploma or equivalent, minimum of 3+ years managing and operating a retail/in person commerce focused business

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience managing and operating a retail/in person commerce focused business

Skills

Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills. Excellent communication skills. Demonstrated ability and interest in managing and operating an in-person retail/commerce focused enterprise. Eagerness to work with and support a diverse learning community. Ability to represent the museum in an engaging and professional way. Familiarity with POS software and ECommerce (preferably Shopify).

Additional Information

This is an hourly position of 28+ hours per week, and is fully benefited position.

We seek to pay competitively and equitably based on factors such as the position and individual qualifications. While actual pay will vary based on these factors, target pay is generally around $23/hour to $28/hour.

For the care and safety of our community, Smith College requires that all employees be vaccinated as a condition of employment and as such, the incumbent will be required to be immunized against COVID-19 on or before their first day of employment. Proof of vaccination status will be required. Individuals may seek medical or religious exemption with HR, but must do so prior to their arrival.

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

July 20, 2022

Compensation Grade:

Grade L Non-exempt

Position Type:

Regular

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu .

Diversity and a culture of inclusion among students, staff, faculty, and administration are crucial to the mission and values of Smith College. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religions, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.