Buyer’s Assistant

Museum Summary

Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a living history museum of the 17th century that provides engaging and experiential outdoor and indoor learning environments on its main campus, and at Mayflower II on Plymouth’s waterfront, and at the Plimoth Grist Mill. Our permanent exhibits tell the complex and interwoven stories of two distinct cultures - English and Wampanoag.

Operating on a remarkable property overlooking Cape Cod Bay, Plimoth Patuxet brings the story of the United States’ early foundation to life for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year since its founding in 1947. The main exhibits are enhanced with an exciting array of special events, public programs and workshops that offer a rich and diverse exploration of the 17th century.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.

Position Summary

The Buyer’s Assistant enjoys retail, is both creative and analytical, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with a highly collaborative team, and appreciates the Museum’s educational mission. Reporting to the Director of Retail Operations and Merchandising (DROM), the Buyer’s Assistant reorders merchandise for PPM’s gift shops; adds new vendors and enters new Purchase Orders (POs) in the retail inventory software; resolves problems with shipments from vendors, and orders new products as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Working closely with the Buyers, run reports to monitor inventory levels (sales and on-hand, etc.). Analyze reports for timely reordering. Order/reorder merchandise as assigned.

• Create new SKU data utilizing and following the Retail abbreviation guidelines.

• With guidance, address pricing discrepancies to ensure PPM’s purchase orders match vendor invoices. Update Retail pricing to maintain product margin.

• Maintain files for all POs and correspondence with vendors. Create and maintain positive professional relationships with vendors.

• Notify shop supervisors of any relevant inventory changes such as items out of stock temporarily or discontinued items.

• Administrative tasks include, but are not limited to following up with vendors on back-orders and checking on status of orders, scheduling vendor appointments/visits, emailing, faxing, filing, and answering the phone.

• Make signs for shops based on info provided by vendors and/or buyers. Obtain product information from vendors as needed for the purpose of signs and/or copy for online shop product descriptions.

• Follow-up with stockroom and vendors on shipment problems (e.g. discrepancies in prices or quantities, damages, shortages, price changes, etc.)

• Attend trade shows as requested by DROM to source new products.

• Assist with cycle counts as needed and participate in annual physical inventory for all shops and stockroom.

• Provide a friendly and welcoming presence for all guests and coworkers throughout the Museum. Support the Museum’s mission and institutional values.

• When needed, work in shops or stockroom at the request of the DROM.

• Attend meetings as requested by the DROM.

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

• Experience in retail, preferably with some experience related to buying.

• Analytical skills; ability to read and interpret relevant data.

• Excellent communication skills – spoken and written. Fluent in English. Must be able to read and comprehend written and oral instructions and follow directions

• Great customer service skills; enjoys meeting new people.

• Solid computer skills including MS Office, Google Apps for Work, and experience working with a database, preferably some retail POS and/or inventory software.

• Strong organizational abilities and attention to detail required.

• Excellent time management skills. Ability to shift priorities as needed.

• The schedule is generally 35 hours per week. 9-5 M-F with an unpaid hour for lunch.

• This position requires attending trade shows/artisan fairs, so weekend work is sometimes required.

• The Museum is open seven days per week including holidays, and has some special events, so some flexibility in work hours/days off is necessary from time to time.

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