Product Buyer, Retail Operations
Product Buyer, Retail Operations
Full-time, Permanent
Sales Department
Are you passionate about culture, the arts, natural history, and science? Are you keen on how these elements aesthetically come together to tell the many stories of humanity? Then consider a career at ROM.
Looking for an exciting career opportunity in retail operations? The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is seeking a motivated and passionate full-time Product Buyer to join our dynamic Sales Department. As a Product Buyer, you'll be responsible for performing duties related to broad-based retail gift product buying, promoting the museum's current research, exhibitions, and galleries.
In this role, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse audience of shoppers, including children, adults, seniors, ROM members, community members, stakeholders, and patrons. You'll be responsible for researching unique product categories that complement ROM curatorial initiatives and strategic plans, analyzing market trends to create product assortments that meet customer needs and identifying potential growth opportunities and risks.
You'll develop and maintain relationships with key vendors to ensure a continuous flow of new and exciting products to keep the ROM at the forefront of the evolution of retail product offerings. You'll be responsible for creating a bespoke buying experience that reflects the ROM's commitment to excellence, quality, and authenticity.
As a product buyer with experience in luxury retail, you'll bring your expertise to shape ROM's retail offerings and drive sales growth. You'll work alongside a dynamic and collaborative team, ensuring that our product range reflects the diversity and breadth of the ROM's collections and exhibitions.
In return, you'll have the opportunity to work in a unique and exciting environment, with access to the ROM's collections, exhibitions, and events. You'll play a crucial role in promoting the ROM's research, exhibitions, and galleries, and ensuring that our visitors have an exceptional shopping experience.
If you're a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a passion for retail and customer service, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity to join the Retail team at the Royal Ontario Museum.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct strategic research on product categories that complement ROM curatorial initiatives and align with the museum's strategic plans.
- Analyze market trends and identify growth opportunities and risks to create unique and bespoke product assortments.
- Stay at the forefront of the retail industry by reacting quickly to global market changes in demand and supply chain logistics.
- Travel to attend trade shows and discover new products and suppliers that offer unique and one-of-a-kind items for ROM.
- Adhere to established retail open-to-buy product category budgets to maximize ROM's resources.
- Monitor store sales, product margins, and KPIs to make data-driven decisions and ensure ROM Retail exceeds targets.
- Manage inventory levels to meet shopper buying volumes and ensure that the museum's retail operations run smoothly.
- Create reports on trends, sales forecasting, and inventory management to optimize product performance and drive sales.
- Maximize ROM's resources through strategic vendor management, with a key emphasis on price and quantity negotiation.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with independent and community-based artists and suppliers to ensure a continuous flow of unique and engaging products.
- Liaise with other ROM departments to ensure that product categories and stories align with cross-departmental initiatives, enhancing the ROM's overall visitor experience.
- Create product assortment collages/lookbooks for all key product stories, and feature exhibition offers, showcasing ROM’s unique and diverse products.
- Ensure that supply meets demand and that the ROM's retail operations run smoothly by working with the Retail team BOH and FOH.
- Promote ROM's products to a wider audience by working with the Coordinator of Shopify Retail Operations regarding e-commerce product postings.
- Manage vendor payments and reports as required, ensuring that all financial aspects of the retail business are managed effectively.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
| Posted Date | 2023-02-22 |
|---|---|
| Closing Date | 2023-04-30 |
| Department | None |
| Type | Full-Time Permanent |
| Salary | $66,022 - $75,453 per annum |
Qualifications
- University degree in Business and/or Supply Management plus a diploma in Supply Chain Procurement plus eight (8) years of related experience OR an acceptable equivalent in education and experience.
- University degree in Business and/or Supply Management plus a diploma in Supply Chain Procurement plus eight (8) years of related experience OR an acceptable equivalent in education and experience.
- Proven experience as a retail buyer or relevant role, with expertise in gift buying or luxury product buying and with Salesforce and Shopify experience highly desired.
- Outstanding oral and written communication and customer service skills, with the ability to negotiate with new and existing suppliers and artists.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, with experience in developing and controlling budgets for retail store product purchasing.
- Familiarity with current purchasing best practices, market research, data analysis, and forecasting techniques.
- Excellent knowledge of MS Office and advanced experience with purchasing software such as Shopify Plus-Stocky.
- Must be able to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, based on seasonal buying, peak museum visitation, and deadlines.
- French language knowledge would be an asset.
How to Apply
Salary and Terms of Employment
STARTING DATE: ASAP
EMPLOYEE GROUP: OPSEU 543
JOB GRADE: Grade 13
SALARY: $66,022 - $75,453 per annum
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 6 Months (performance based only)
APPLICATION LINK: https://www.fitzii.com/apply/75117?s=fc
ROM perks –
- EAP - medical, dental and vision benefits start on day one
- Health spending account
- Short-term & long-term disability benefits
- Life insurance
- Pension plan
- 3 weeks of vacation
- Personal days
- Uniforms provided, laundered and maintained by the ROM
- Safety footwear allowance (green patch)
- Free ROM visits for you and 8 friends/family members per year
- Discount program for over 200 Ontario attractions!
Diversity Statements
At ROM, we consider equity, diversity, and inclusivity foundational to our institutional success. We seek to foster a workplace that reflects the full breadth of the communities we serve and welcome applications from women, racialized persons/BIPOC, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, LGBTQ2S+, and people with disabilities.
Accessibility Statement
ROM is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) to applicants invited to an interview.
COVID Statement
Royal Ontario Museum recognizes its heightened duty to protect employees from health and safety risks during the current pandemic. As such, an offer of employment shall be conditional on proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination with a vaccine series approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The selected candidate will be required to participate in a Criminal Background Check conducted via Profile Investigation Inc.