Museum Shop Sales Associate

The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build.

We are a private non-profit institution that transforms understanding of the history and impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and design. The National Building Museum educates, entertains, and engages people about the built environment and challenges them to advocate for a sustainable and equitable future.

Position Description

Responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Museum Shop. Supports the implementation of merchandising strategies in coordination with the Retail Manager. Plays key role in providing customer service to visitors in Museum Shop, online shop, and mail order operations, provides support to maintaining operational standards and practices of the Museum Shop.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides excellent customer service and demonstrates effective sales techniques.
• Processes sales of the shop. Follows accounting procedures to ensure the accurate processing of all POS transaction and inventory movements. Maintains accurate records recording all transactions and the exchange of merchandise according to guidelines.
• Answer customers’ inquiries in an appropriate and timely manner. Supports the order fulfillment process and processes payments for internet orders through the POS system.
• Picks, packs and processes all phone and online orders in a timely manner.
• Responsible for effectively communicating to customers regarding order delays, backorder situations, special orders, and all issues regarding processing customer orders for online store and Museum Shop.
• Works in collaboration with other Sales Associates and volunteers.
• Assists with the processing of incoming merchandise, follows all procedures for maintaining and managing an accurate inventory.
• Supports and maintains an organized sales floor, cash wrap, and stockroom, maintains a neat and efficient workspace according to store directives.
• Maintains and restocks store displays, back stock and assists with new displays.
• Ensures that merchandise directives are followed.
• Restocks store supplies and provides timely reports to operations manager for reordering supplies.
• Supports the merchandise reordering process as directed by retail manager.
• Supports fulfilling daily and long-term projects to ensure efficient operations of store, online shop and all warehousing facilities.
• Operates all functions of POS system proficiently in processing sales, inventory reports and vendor reports.
• Assists with physical inventories, supports reconciliation of inventory discrepancies, and maintains a secure environment for all store inventories.
• Assists with the ticketing and pricing of products, reports damages in timely manner and support product returns to vendors.
• Responsible for supporting the operations of the online store as directed by the retail manager, including but not limited to reorder of product and supplies.
• Perform other duties as called for to ensure the overall efficiency of the store and position.
• Must be knowledgeable about merchandise and books and their tie-in to the museum, uses and saleable features.
• Assist with special day and evening events as required, such as offsite sales, book-signings, and museum programs.
• Maintains current knowledge of museum activities, programs, and events; is flexible with schedule based on museum needs.

• Associate degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong customer service skills and previous retail experience required.
• Knowledge of computers, inventory management, point of sales systems and Adobe In Design required.
• Must work well under pressure and with a variety of staff.
• Must be multi-task oriented, independent, takes initiative and strong problem-solving skills.
• Keen sense of merchandising and display in a retail environment.

What We Offer

Part-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• 403 (b) plan with match
• Museum Shop discounts
• Free on-site parking

Our Commitment

At the Museum, we pursue diversity and endeavor to create an inclusive and accessible environment for our staff, visitors, stakeholders, and Board members. We value diverse perspectives and believe the power of diversity enriches us all. Creating an inclusive environment is critical to every individual’s work. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.