Job Description

Job Description

The Portland Art Museum (referred to as Museum) invites applications for the position of Retail Buyer. The Retail Buyer for The shop at PAM plays a pivotal role in curating and managing the store's product offerings to enhance visitors’ experiences and generate revenue. The Retail Buyer is responsible for researching and selecting unique, high-quality merchandise that reflects the museum's mission, exhibitions, and target audience. This includes managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, ensuring inventory aligns with seasonal trends, and creating a cohesive retail strategy that appeals to both museum visitors and online shoppers. The role must also adhere to the Retail Business Plan as outlined by the museum’s consultant, ensuring that all purchasing decisions align with the strategic goals and financial objectives set forth for the shop.

In addition to these responsibilities, the Retail Buyer supports the Head of Retail in managing the store's profit margin by optimizing pricing strategies, monitoring sales performance, and making data-driven decisions on product assortment.

The ideal candidate has a keen eye for detail, a deep understanding of market trends, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for art and culture. They work closely with the Head of Retail and other departments to ensure that product selections align with broader museum branding and initiatives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Align product offerings with museum exhibitions, events, and promotions in coordination with marketing.
• Assist Head of Retail with the implementation and execution of the (retail playbook) Retail business plan that was created by the retail consultants.
• Research and source unique, high-quality merchandise, including artwork, books, apparel, jewelry, and gifts.
• Attend trade fairs and showrooms to discover new products.
• Ensure product mix appeals to diverse visitor demographics, supports the museum branding, and aligns with exhibitions.
• Build and maintain relationships with vendors, artisans, and wholesalers, negotiating favorable terms and pricing.
• Oversee timely product delivery and monitor vendor performance.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels, balancing supply and demand, and managing slow-moving items with “sale” events.
• Collaborate with the retail team for accurate stock tracking and replenishment.
• Analyze sales data to assess product performance and adjust buying strategies.
• Monitor market trends, seasonal demands, and visitor preferences to keep merchandise current.
• Adjust product selections and pricing based on performance metrics and feedback.
• Develop and manage the buying budget, focusing on profitability and cost controls.
• Prepare reports on sales, profitability, and inventory metrics for management review.
• Coordinate with the e-commerce team to ensure a consistent product experience across platforms.
• Partner with museum staff to develop exclusive, branded merchandise and enhance The Shop at PAM brand.
• Develop strategies to differentiate the shop and build a strong local and online presence.
• Ensure merchandise meets quality standards, reviewing samples for durability, craftsmanship, and aesthetics.
• Recommend suggestive retail pricing to Head of Retail with budgeted profit margin in mind.
• Advising marketing and merchandising on how to best display and promote items.

Secondary or Additional Responsibilities

• Assist Head of Retail with pop up events or any revenue driving events hosted outside of the store.
• Attend Divisional meetings, and other Museum meetings/events in the absence of Head of Retail.
• Occasionally participate on hiring teams.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Decisions are made within prescribed operating guidelines.
• Budgetary preparation/compliance accountability in conjunction with the Head of Retail.
• Partially accountable for control of capital assets/equipment/store merchandise.
• Assist with long term planning and strategic planning in conjunction with the Head of Retail.

Institutional Responsibilities

• Support the Museum’s mission, vision and core values of creativity, connection, equity, learning, accessibility and accountability.
• Contribute to and support the PAM strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity, equity, inclusion and access.
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives.
• Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement.
• Promote equity and inclusion goals and have a “people first” mindset.

Required Knowledge & Skills

If you have any questions along the way including wanting to talk about a nontraditional career background, please reach out to HR.

• Understanding of the merchandise, including materials, construction, and trends.
• Skilled at analyzing market trends, seasonal demands, and customer preferences.
• Strong negotiation skills for securing favorable terms and pricing with vendors.
• Knowledge of inventory control, stock turnover, and reordering strategies.
• Understanding of budgeting, profit margins, pricing strategies, and cost controls.
• Skills in establishing and maintaining vendor relationships and monitoring performance.
• Strong communication skills for coordinating with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Strong project management skills to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and coordinate with various departments.
• Understanding of branding and how product selection can enhance brand identity.
• Technology Proficiency: Familiarity with inventory management systems, point-of-sale systems, and e-commerce platforms.

Education, Formal & Informal Experience, Training Required, Certification, Etc.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or a related field.
• 2 - 5 years of previous experience in retail buying, merchandising, or a related role.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP) are a plus but not required.
• Familiarity with inventory management systems, point-of-sale systems, and e-commerce platforms.
• Understanding of ethical sourcing practices and compliance with industry regulations.

Job Conditions

• Exempt status
• Schedule/Hours: 40 hours per week with a flexible schedule. Specific days of the week will vary based on business needs.
• Onsite/Not Remote
• Occasional travel
• Occasional evening and weekend hours
• Extensive computer work

Physical Activities

• Frequent walking and standing for long periods of time.
• Frequently communicating with staff and outside vendors.
• Frequently bending, lifting, and close visual inspection of merchandise.
• Occasionally lift/push/pull/carry merchandise, boxes, or supplies, typically weighing up to 25-50 pounds.
• Frequently sitting for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally traveling to offsite locations for vendor meetings, events, etc.
• This is not a complete representation of all physical requirements.

Benefits

• This role is exempt and full-time.
• Budgeted compensation is within pay grade I ($62,954min - $73,960mid - $84,966 max), depending on experience.
• Healthcare package: medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401K match, and flexible spending accounts.
• Paid time off: 7 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, vacation, sick, and bereavement leave.
• Monthly Museum contribution for public transit, parking, or bike to work plan.
• Museum admission & lectures, programs, and gift shop discounts.
• R.E.A.P (Reciprocal Employee Attraction Pass), providing free general admission to local destinations.

Application Process for Retail Buyer

In order to be considered eligible, submissions require a resume, cover letter, four references, and all application questions answered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by email. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.

Closing date: Open Until Filled

Company Description

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

The Museum is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our hiring practices and in our Museum employee experiences. We strive to foster a mindful and respectful environment in which everyone can be their authentic selves at work and experience a culture free of harassment, racism, and discrimination.

The Museum is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political belief, disability or any other legally protected status. We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. This commitment ensures that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the application, interview, and hiring process. Alternative formats of this application are available upon request. If reasonable accommodation or an alternative form of this application is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and/or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 503.276.4358.

About the Portland Art Museum

The seventh oldest museum in the United States, the Portland Art Museum is internationally recognized for its permanent collection and ambitious special exhibitions drawn from the Museum’s holdings and the world’s finest public and private collections. The Museum’s collection of more than 50,000 objects, displayed in 112,000 square feet of galleries, reflects the history of art from ancient times to today. The collection is distinguished for its holdings of arts of the native peoples of North America, English silver, and the graphic arts. An active collecting institution dedicated to preserving great art for the enrichment of future generations, the Museum devotes 90 percent of its galleries to its permanent collection.

The Museum’s campus of landmark buildings, a cornerstone of Portland’s cultural district, includes the Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art, the Gilkey Center for Graphic Arts, the Schnitzer Center for Northwest Art, PAM CUT, and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Center for Native American Art. With a membership of more than 22,000 households and serving more than 350,000 visitors annually, the Museum is a premier venue for education in the visual arts. For information on exhibitions and programs visit portlandartmuseum.org.

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