Buying and Retail Manager

Buying and Retail Manager

Sir John Soane Museum Closing date: Mon, 31 Aug 2026

Artform: Museums
Role: Customer Service
Contract: Permanent
London
  • Full time
  • £30k-£40k

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 "> published -

Job Summary

The Buying and Retail Manager role heads up all our retail activity and is responsible for a Retail Supervisor and Guidebook Sellers, and our growing online sales.

Job Description

Buying & Retail Manager
Location - 12-14 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A
Responsible for - Retail Supervisor, Guidebook Sellers
Reports to - Director of Commercial & Operations
Salary - £37,200 p.a.
Hours & Holiday - 35 hours a week over 5 days including 1 weekend day every month.
26.5 days plus bank holidays or time in lieu

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.

Job Requirements

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

Job Responsibilities

Key responsibilities
Buying of stock and developing new product lines. This will involve 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, which is responsible for the publishing arrangements for self- published guidebooks, exhibition catalogues and other books.
Maintaining stock levels, ordering stock, setting prices, 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,
See full job description for full list of responsibilities

Useful Links

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Buying and Retail Manager
  • Salary: £30k-£40k
  • Hours: Full time
  • Artform: Museums
  • Role: Customer Service
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Closing date: Mon, 31 Aug 2026
  • Location:
    London
    | view on Google Maps

Job: Buying and Retail Manager

Job: Buying and Retail Manager

Organisation: Sir John Soane Museum

Postcode: WC2A 3BP

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please email your CV to [email protected]. 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.

Sir John Soane’s Museum is an equal opportunities employer committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and
welcomes applications from all backgrounds.