Retail & Admissions Supervisor – Churchill War Rooms
Imperial War Museum
Salary: £29,860 per annum
Weekly hours: 37.5
Hours: Full-time
Contract duration: Fixed term to March 2027
Closing date: August 23, 2026
Buying and Retail Manager
About the Role
The Buying and Retail Manager role heads up all our retail activity and is responsible for a Retail Supervisor and Guidebook Sellers who work in the shop and entrance to the Museum, and our growing online sales.
We are looking for a person who has proven experience in handling all the aspects of managing and operating a retail business from stock management, replenishment, reporting, merchandising and invoicing through to the creative side of product development, buying and visual merchandising.
Responsibilities
- Buying of stock and developing new product lines, including liaising with suppliers and attending UK based Trade Fairs to identify new products/suppliers.
- Overseeing the design, development and production of the Soane Museum branded merchandise and packaging.
- Developing ranges and sourcing off-the-shelf stock to accompany exhibitions and ranges.
- Involvement in the Publishing Committee, responsible for publishing arrangements for self-published guidebooks, exhibition catalogues and other books.
- Maintaining stock levels, ordering stock, setting prices and pricing stock.
- Managing and maintaining the computerised stock system daily — processing all orders, deliveries and purchases.
- Line managing the Retail Supervisor/Guidebook Sellers to ensure the shop is fully stocked at all times.
- Analysis of shop figures to show sales, profits, and performance against KPIs.
Person specification
Essential attributes
- Buying and sourcing experience within a retail environment.
- Some proven experience in developing commercially successful product lines.
- The ability to forge good working relationships with suppliers.
- Proactive, adept at problem solving and achieving objectives.
- A customer focussed ethos.
- Good financial management skills and accurate record keeping.
- IT literacy (MS Office) and understanding of computerised stock systems.
- Excellent organisation, prioritisation, and time management skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
- Can demonstrate a naturally creative flair and attention to detail.
- Be able to multi-task and work under pressure.
Desirable attributes
- Interest in historic houses and Museums
How to Apply
Further information: https://www.soane.org/about/work-with-us
If you are interested in applying for this role, please email your CV to recruitment@soane.org.uk with a covering letter detailing how your skills and experience meet the person specification. Please include the details of 2 referees.
Closing date for applications: Monday 31 August 2026, 5pm.
Interviews to be held in the Museum on Thursday 10 September 2026.
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