Visitor Center Retail Manager

Position reports to:  Vice President of Experience and Engagement  

Position supervises the following staff positions: 

• 1 Part time inventory and delivery assistant (possible)

Number of subordinates:  0-1

Position Overview

The Philadelphia Visitor Center is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to welcoming visitors and connecting them with all the incredible experiences, people and places that make Philadelphia a world class destination. The Visitor Center supports its mission by operating retail gift shops at 5+ center city visitor centers and event-based pops. The Visitor Center is seeking a dynamic, hands-on Philadelphia Visitor Center Retail Manager to create and implement our annual retail strategy, and lead in sourcing, merchandising, inventory, and seasonal retail marketing strategies across a fast-paced network of high-traffic visitor centers. Located at Center City Philadelphia’s hottest tourism hubs, our 5+ visitor center locations have active gift shops that require regular replenishment and active inventory management. We are looking for an experienced retail professional who can seamlessly bridge the gap between sourcing great products, ensuring supply chain efficiency and delivering front-end visual appeal.

This role required active management of daily sales data to actively manage merchandise sales and celebrate the best and most on-tend Philly souvenirs and retail experiences. The retail manager will set and execute an annual retail strategy that reflects new seasonal product lives; sources and promotes hot local vendors; and uses data to ensure the right products are sourced, ordered, and delivered at the right time to maximize value and offer visitors the perfect Philly momento to bring home to remind them of their visit.

The manager will optimize inventory levels to meet fluctuating seasonal tourist demands and lead the merchandising efforts that turn passersby into customers. From convenience items to the latest trends, the retail manager will provide fresh engaging products, displays, and promotional features that deliver on the Philadelphia Visitor Center’s Brand Promise.

Key Responsibilities

1. Annual retail sales strategy

• Set seasonal sales strategy for all retail operations across the Visitor Center based on location, audience, trends, and organizational needs.
• Deliver monthly and quarterly updates on progress toward delivering annual sales goals.
• Develop seasonal merchandising strategies and new items for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter Philly merchandise and souvenirs.

2. Inventory Monitoring & Analytics

Demand Forecasting: Analyze daily and weekly sales trends across all retail locations to predict inventory needs, accounting for peak tourism seasons, local events, and weather shifts.

Stock Optimization: Maintain optimal stock levels at each storefront to prevent stockouts of high-demand items while minimizing overstock and footprint clutter in compact retail spaces.

Audit & Control: Conduct regular physical inventory counts and reconcile data within our inventory management system to minimize shrinkage and ensure data accuracy.

3. Logistics & Delivery Management

Route & Schedule Optimization: Coordinate and execute the daily/weekly transport of apparel from the central warehouse to various retail locations, navigating busy urban traffic and strict delivery windows.

Fleet & Vendor Coordination: Oversee deliveries and third-party couriers, ensuring partners and colleagues are updated on delivery timelines and status. 

Ready-to-sell Efficiency: Streamline the check-in process at the store level so new stock moves to the sales floor as quickly as possible.

3. Visual Merchandising & Store Support

Planogram Execution: Design and implement high-impact visual merchandising displays tailored to a diverse tourist demographic for each location.

Product Presentation: Work with visitor center site managers to ensure apparel is properly sized, folded, hung, tagged, and steamed according to brand standards to maximize visual appeal and drive impulse buys.

Philly Merch Experience: Provide detailed images and information about new merchandise to front line staff; support PR and marketing of new merchandise; and lead creative efforts to collaborate with local creators/retailers.

Qualifications & Experience

4. Experience: 3+  years of experience in museum or visitor center retail management environment—ideally within a high-volume Philly-area tourism destination.
5. Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred.
6. Technical Skills: Proficiency with modern POS (Point of Sale) and inventory management software poweruser (e.g., Shopify Plus, SAP). Strong skills in Microsoft Excel required for data analysis.
7. Logistics Requirements: A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record are required. Experience driving light commercial vehicles (like transit vans or box trucks) in urban environments is a major plus.
8. Physical Demands: Ability to lift up to 40 lbs frequently, stand/walk for extended periods, and comfortably load/unload apparel shipments.

Key Competencies for Success

9. The "Tourist Mindset": An understanding of what drives souvenir shoppers—speed, impulse, presentation, and clear sizing.
10. Agility & Problem-Solving: The urban tourism landscape changes fast; you must be someone who thrives when navigating traffic delays, sudden rushes, or unexpected inventory shifts.
11. Collaborative Leadership: Ability to build strong relationships with both warehouse teams and front-line retail staff.

HOURS AND REQUIREMENTS:

12. Full time exempt, with a variable schedule, depending on the season, schedule and the needs of the organization.
13. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and all U.S. holidays; the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation is open 363 days per year (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
14. Regular weekend and holiday availability is required.
15. Must be willing to travel between multiple visitor center locations daily, including locations at Independence Mall, Philadelphia City Hall, LOVE Park, and the Benjamin Frankin Parkway.