Retail and Merchandising Manager

Mountain View, CA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $65,000.00 - $75,000.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Professional Development

Paid holidays

Job Description

The hiring organization is a STEM Museum located in Mountain View, California, dedicated to promoting education and engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This institution acts as a vibrant cultural hub where innovation and history intersect, attracting visitors interested in STEM-related subjects. As an established nonprofit cultural institution, the museum aims to inspire curiosity and learning through interactive exhibitions, educational public programs, and a carefully curated retail experience that complements its mission.

We are currently seeking a Retail and Merchandising Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Museum Store, both on-site and online. This full-time, permanent role involves managing the retail space in Mountain View and maintaining the museum's online store, focusing on merchandising, inventory control, sales performance, and customer service to support visitor engagement and the institution's earned revenue goals. With an annual salary range of $65,000 to $75,000, this position requires a candidate who thrives in environments dedicated to education and community impact.

The Retail and Merchandising Manager reports to the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer and leads a team of retail associates. The role demands a strong leader capable of coordinating workflows, supervising staff through scheduling and training, and fostering a service-oriented culture grounded in professionalism and inclusivity. The incumbent will execute merchandising strategies that reflect the museum’s mission and exhibitions, curate products aligned with STEM themes, and oversee vendor relationships including sourcing and negotiation.

Proficiency in point of sale (POS) systems, inventory management platforms, ecommerce technologies such as Shopify, and Microsoft Office 365 is essential. The manager must be adept in analyzing sales data, implementing purchasing and cash-handling procedures, and managing e-commerce operations. This position has weekend, evening, and special event responsibilities to ensure continuous operational support. Experience in museums, cultural institutions, or mission-driven environments is preferred, alongside skills in emergency response and incident management.

In this dynamic role, the manager will act as the on-site operational leader during assigned shifts, responding to visitor concerns and collaborating with multiple departments including Front of House, Security, Facilities, and Events to guarantee a safe and welcoming environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong project management, analytical and communication skills with a passion for technology, innovation, and STEM education. This opportunity offers a meaningful career path for retail professionals eager to contribute to educational initiatives within a nonprofit sector environment.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
5+ years progressive experience in retail management, merchandising, or marketing
proven experience in museum, cultural institution, nonprofit, hospitality, or specialty retail
ability to work 40 hours per week including Wednesday through Sunday
proficiency with POS systems, inventory platforms, ecommerce tools, and Microsoft Office 365
excellent verbal and written communication skills
ability to lead teams and coordinate customer-facing operations
availability for weekends, evenings, and special events work
knowledge of buying, vendor negotiations, product development, and ecommerce
interest in STEM and technology-related subjects
ability to handle emergency and escalation situations professionally

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
5+ years of progressive experience in retail operations, merchandising, ecommerce, visitor experience, or customer-facing operational leadership
demonstrated success overseeing onsite and online retail functions including merchandising, inventory, sales performance, and customer service
experience leading teams and coordinating workflows
strong project management and analytical skills
excellent verbal and written interpersonal communication
skilled with POS systems, inventory platforms, ecommerce tools such as Shopify, and Microsoft Office 365
familiarity with buying, vendor negotiations, product development, and ecommerce best practices
experience partnering with visitor services, marketing, finance, facilities, and events
interest or background in technology, innovation, STEM topics, and training in de-escalation, emergency response, or incident management
background in museums, cultural institutions, nonprofits, hospitality, or specialty retail preferred

Job Duties

Oversee retail operations for the onsite Museum Store and online shop
execute merchandising strategy aligned with the Museum’s mission, exhibitions, and public programs
manage inventory lifecycle including receiving, pricing, merchandising, ecommerce coordination, and annual inventory processes
lead vendor and product development including sourcing, purchasing, onboarding, and identifying mission-aligned merchandise opportunities
analyze sales and ensure compliance to support revenue goals and maintain accurate systems
supervise Retail Associates through scheduling, training, coaching, onboarding, and performance feedback
coordinate daily workflows and reinforce customer service standards and operational procedures
serve as Manager on Duty during assigned shifts and provide on-site operational leadership
respond to visitor concerns and service escalations with professionalism
coordinate cross-departmentally with Front of House, Security, Facilities, and Events to ensure safe, effective Museum operations