Assistant Shop Supervisor

Position Summary

Assists supervisor in all museum shop activities. Provides friendly and welcoming presence in all public spaces within the museum.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide a friendly and welcoming presence for all guests and coworkers throughout the Museum.

  • Open and close shops as scheduled.

  • Respond to customer inquiries regarding products, museum activities, programs and events.

  • Operates computer/cash register, processes sales and other retail transactions.

  • Resolve any customer complaints

  • Assists with training new Retail Staff.

  • Assists Shop Supervisor with planning, assigning, scheduling and directing work.

  • Stay informed of merchandise assortment in the shops and stay up-to-date on product information in order to answer customers’ questions and sell by “telling the story”.

  • Monitors inventory levels. Place orders with the stockroom to replenish merchandise.

  • Checks in deliveries from stockroom; count items to verify stockroom count.

  • Notify stockroom of any discrepancies, damages, or missing or incorrect price tags.

  • Assists Shop Supervisor with visual merchandising.

  • Maintain shop in a clean, safe, and orderly fashion.

  • Complete required paperwork for end-of-day closing and prepare bank deposits.

  • Attend departmental meetings and Museum meetings as requested by Shop Supervisor.

  • Thanksgiving Day is an “All-Hands On” day.

This description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of key responsibilities of the job as it is at present, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description may be reviewed by management at any time either to ensure that it relates to the job currently being performed, or to incorporate changes. Management reserves the right to change a job description; and if/when doing so will discuss with the employee so that any changes are understood by the employee.

Required Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Must demonstrate an enthusiasm for selling, and an enjoyment for working with customers in a retail setting

  • Previous retail experience required. General knowledge of standard retail concepts and the ability to deliver excellent customer service.

  • Basic computer skills required, including experience with a retail POS system.

  • Able to present clear ideas and direction to others and to listen well. Must be able to speak, read, and write English fluently. Able to respond to questions from coworkers and customers.

  • Ability to work well with a highly collaborative team.

  • Some supervisory experience is a plus but not required.

  • Quickly understand, assess & solve problems. Self-motivated and results-oriented.

  • Comfortable talking with a variety of people and ability to communicate skillfully with a wide range of people from different cultural and social backgrounds, varying ages, language skills and physical abilities.

  • Experience working in a museum or other cultural attraction is a plus but not required.

  • Patient and imperturbable. Excellent interpersonal skills.

  • Ability to follow directions, and apply the information you learn. Attention to detail.

  • Ability to work safely, and without direct supervision.


Education and Experience

  • High School Diploma or Equivalent

  • Previous retail experience required.

  • General knowledge of standard retail concepts and an interest in customer service and visual merchandising.

  • Basic computer skills required.

  • Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, solve practical problems, and to interpret written and oral instructions and follow directions.

  • Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, customers, and general public.

Physical Requirements

The employee is required to sit, stand, crouch or kneel. It may be necessary to use a stool or ladder while placing objects throughout the shops. Employee is required to handle products of varied materials, some breakable. Some products have strong fragrances; some are made of animal products such as fur or leather.

  • Work requires standing for most of the time.

  • The employee is required to sit, stand, crouch or kneel and lift up to 20 pounds.

  • Manual dexterity is essential.

  • Employee is required to handle products of varied materials, some breakable.

  • It may be necessary to use a stepstool or ladder while placing objects throughout the store.

Work Environment

The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

  • The working environment is generally favorable.

  • Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.

  • Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment.

Additional Requirements

The Museum is open 7 days a week April through the end of November. You must be available to work Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. Typical hours during the Museum’s Open Season (March-November) are 9:00am - 5:00pm, five days a week through the end of November, and 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday from December through March. Flexibility in work hours and days off is required. Depending on the season, this position may include working additional night/weekend hours or days as needed.

Core Commitment

Whether part-time or full-time, year-round or seasonal, all staff and volunteers at Plimoth Patuxet advance the Museum’s educational mission and strategic goals; they uphold the museum’s core values and principles in their work and in all their interactions with the public and coworkers. This commitment helps to ensure that Plimoth Patuxet’s reputation for excellence is maintained and that we, as stewards of the Museum, are helping to create a relevant and sustainable future for Plimoth Patuxet. The core principles that guide us in our work are:

  • Safety and Comfort
  • Compassionate Customer Engagement
  • Professional Excellence
  • Personal Accountability
  • Create a Culture of Philanthropy
  • Teamwork

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a PDF file of your resume, and cover letter to apply@plimoth.org, or by submitting them by US mail to the following address:

Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Attn: Human Resources
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360