Full-Time Retail Operations Assistant

Position: Retail Operations Assistant
Reports to: Associate Manager of Retail Operations
Status: Full-time, Hourly

Position Summary

The Farnsworth Art Museum has an opening for a Retail Operations Assistant in Rockland, Maine. 

This position supports the operational backbone of the Museum’s retail program, with primary responsibility for shipping and receiving operations, inventory management, and e-commerce order fulfillment. This on site role ensures the accurate flow, organization, and tracking of merchandise from receiving through storage, online listing, and distribution.

Reporting to the Associate Manager of Retail Operations, the Retail Operations Assistant maintains organized stockroom systems, supports inventory controls and counts, manages packaging and shipping processes, and assists with administration of the museum’s online store. The position helps ensure inventory is accurately maintained, efficiently processed, and consistently available to support both retail and online sales.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory & Merchandise Management

• Monitor inventory levels and support merchandise planning and replenishment needs
• Generate sales reports and assist the Associate Manager in identifying restocking priorities
• Assist with implementation and maintenance of inventory control procedures
• Support physical inventory counts and ongoing cycle counts
• Receive, inspect, and sort incoming merchandise while maintaining organized receiving and stockroom areas
• Assist with tagging and accurately pricing items based on established practices. Instruct other team  members how to do the same, as needed
• Monitor merchandise levels on the sales floor and in the stockroom to support inventory accuracy
  

Retail & E-Commerce Operations

• Support daily retail operations, including troubleshooting point-of-sale transactions and store sales issues
• Process and fulfill online orders, including shipping and coordination of customer pick-up orders
• Upload product images and descriptions for new merchandise; photograph products as needed
• Identify existing inventory suitable for online sales and maintain online product listings
• Track order status and respond to customer inquiries in a timely manner

Operations & Administrative Support

• Order and maintain packaging and shipping supplies
• Assist with end-of-day cash and sales reconciliation
• Support retail promotions, markdowns, and sales initiatives
• Troubleshoot point-of-sale system issues and coordinate with IT as needed
• Coordinate interdepartmental product requests and schedule product pick-ups

Visitor & Customer Support

• Provide customer service support in person, by phone, or online
• Assist with front-of-house admissions and retail shop operations as needed
• Support social media and retail marketing initiatives as requested

Qualifications

• 2+ years of retail experience required
• Experience with order fulfillment and customer service
• Experience in retail, inventory management, or e-commerce environments
• Experience with product photography and basic editing preferred
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently stand and move throughout the retail spaces, stockroom, and museum while handling merchandise. The position requires sitting, crouching, kneeling, climbing ladders or stairs, and frequent use of hands to handle and unpack merchandise. The employee must be able to lift up to 40 pounds unassisted. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.