Retail Specialist

Retail Specialist, Museum of Newport History and Shop

Position Summary: Provides accurate and welcoming services to guests, while extending a positive guest experience to all, co-leads the retail team, taking direction from the Retail Buyer and Manager of Visitor Experience, and helps maintain store inventory and backstock, achieve sales goals and fulfill phone orders.

Customer Experience

• Focus most of time on supervising and operating a successful sales floor at the Museum of Newport History & Shop.
• Aid daily retail operations, with a focus on mission-related sales.
• Continually provide feedback and work with the retail buyer (a remote position) on ways to help improve customer shopping experience.
• Supervise Staff on retail floor. Will be acting as a Supervisor and a Key Holder on shifts when a Supervisory is not on the schedule.
• In conjuncton with the Retail Buyer and Manager of Visitor Experience, develop a process for training and engaging all part-time staff in guest service excellence.
• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the retail store operations and needs.
• Initiate proactive conversation to better understand customer needs and make appropriate recommendations.
• Out of this world customer service is a must; all interactions with customers must be positive, efficient, and enthusiastic.
• Invest in the success of the Museum of Newport History by being fearlessly innovative and pitching new creative ideas and concepts.
• Dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Revenue Generation - Retail Onsite

• Open store by counting cash drawer and opening drawer through Clover software and accurately close store by cashing out drawer and balancing a daily deposit.
• Complete training in Clover and keep proficiency in the software and any associated products.
• Accurately ring up visitors' purchases, and look up prices and inventory levels.
• Accurately prepare and ship online orders.
• Place special orders for customers and phone orders and forward the appropriate information to the retail manager.
• Coordinate with the Retail Buyer and Manager of Visitor Experience to implement training necessary for new products and promotions.
• Balance daily cash receipts and complete appropriate cash out procedures.
• Assist with inventory management, including writing PO's, helping receive new orders, and restocking.

Data & Inventory Integrity

• Efficiently use inventory management software (Thrive) and Clover POS to process transfers, damages, receipts, and price tags.
• Ensure timely, accurate entries, transactions, and reports in Thrive and Clover.
• Provide accurate reports to the accounting department as needed.
• Work with the Business Manager to properly correct reporting and transaction issues that arise.
• Understand and adhere to inventory integrity standards and consistently follow all processes to maintain accuracy.
• Assist in preparation and execution of the annual inventory process; participate in th inventory process, merchandise storage and controls.
• Assist with the unpacking and labeling merchandise. Report damages and discrepancies to the Retail Buyer for accounting, reimbursement, and record-keeping purposes. Assist in correcting the damage through the proper channels.
• Assist with re-ordering store stock when asked and notifying store management when merchandise needs to be reordered.
• Maintain an organized and tidy backstock of inventory.

Sales Floor Appearance & Stock

• Help with the merchandising of the store to best reflect the mission of the Museum of Newport History & Shop including seasonal displays.
• Demonstrate an understanding that the merchandise assortment is tied to merchandise display and maintain those displays, keeping them neat and orderly.
• Maintain an orderly store to promote a stress-free and comfortable shopping experience for the customer.
• Help establish end-of-day procedures for Museum of Newport History & Shop employees including leaving the POS desk clear and orderly, and bringing up any needed merchandise for the next day's staff to restock.
• Maintain appropriate floor stock levels.
• Observe customer interaction with the store and recommend changes to procedures to improve customer service.
• Work with marketing and communications team to implement promotions, partnerships, and communications that promote membership experience and enhance guest interactions.

Social Media

• Assist Coordinator of Membership and Social Media when asked to provide content for NHS social media channels.

Team Support

• Can-do, will-do attitude for every team member and guest of the Museum of Newport History.
• Ensure that Museum of Newport History & Shop operations procedures and policies are followed and assist in training employees and volunteers.
• Serve as backup team member for incoming phone calls and inquiries.
• Keep up to date regarding NHS events and programs, ticket pricing, membership categories and pricing, general offerings, development opportunities, education programming, organizational policies and procedures, and be able to communicate this information to guests, volunteers, and employees.
• Work with marketing and communications teams to implement promotions, partnerships, and communications that promote the store.
• Lead by example, modeling best-practice cash handling, when making transactions.
• Provide training, guidance, coaching and support for NHS retail employees regarding using Clover POS, sales processes and guest service.
• Assist with supervising retail employees, including creating the monthly schedule.
• Participate in NHS public programs, trainings, and projects as needed.

Education, Experience, and Ability Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum 1 year of retail/cashier experience is required.
• Minimum 2 years of customer service experience is required.
• Attention to detail and dedication to guest service.
• Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to manage stressful situations and interact with the public in a positive manner in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Ability to maintain a professional social media presence for the organization.
• Learning and understanding of procedures of the Newport Historical Society.
• Ability to undertake multiple concurrent tasks and work in an environment where interruptions are common; must maintain confidentiality.
• Professional work habits and punctuality are very important in this position.
• Must be flexible, with the ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Well-groomed appearance and compliance with the NHS dress and personal appearance policies.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, or climb stairs for an extended period of time.
• Will require ability to pull, push, carry, grasp, reach, stoop, crawl, and crouch.
• General cleaning abilities.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level or work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsiblities, duties and skills required.

SCHEDULE: Part-time position, approximately 9am-5pm, with occasional evenings. Weekend availability is required for this position. Some holidays are required for this position (daytime hours). This position is in-person/on-site at the Museum of Newport History & Shop in Newport, RI.

COMPENSATION: $18.50/hour; commensurate with education and experience.

BENEFITS: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, complimentary NHS membership.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $18.50 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off

Shift:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Experience:

• Retail sales: 1 year (Required)
• Customer service: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Newport, RI 02840 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Interested parties may apply here.