At a Glance
- Tasks: Support buying and product development for the RAF Museum's retail ranges.
- Company: Join the Royal Air Force Museum, a leading cultural organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role in a unique environment with a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Be part of exciting product launches and shape visitor experiences.
- Qualifications: Creative with design skills; experience in retail is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 31114 - 31114 £ per year.
- Design and Buying Executive
- Fixed term (6 months), Full-time - London
- £31,114 per annum
About Us
The Royal Air Force Museum is as a national museum, a Government non-departmental public body (NDPB) and a registered charity.
We have two public sites in the Midlands and London and a stored collection at Stafford.
Our purpose is to share the RAF story - past, present and future - using the stories of its people and our collections to engage, inform and inspire.
Our vision is to inspire everyone with the RAF story - the people who shape it and its place in our lives.
Our museum commitments are the golden thread that run through everything that we do. These are:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Sustainability
- What We Are Looking For
The Royal Air Force Museum is looking for a passionate, creative and organised Buying and Design Executive to join our Retail and Admissions team on a maternity cover contract.
This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring retail professional to develop their skills across buying, product development, design, merchandising and e-commerce within one of the UK's leading museums.
Working closely with the Head of Retail and Admissions, you will play a key role in supporting the Museum's retail operation, helping to develop and deliver a commercially successful and engaging product range that reflects the RAF Museum's brand and visitor experience.
The successful candidate will combine a strong eye for design with excellent organisational and analytical skills.
You will support the buying process from product concept through to delivery, create product packaging and labels, develop digital assets for our online shop, and work closely with suppliers and Museum retail teams to ensure our product offer remains fresh, relevant and commercially effective.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the buying and product development process across the Museum's retail ranges.
- Create product packaging, labels and point-of-sale materials using design software.
- Develop, edit and enhance product imagery using design tools and AI-powered software for use across e-commerce and marketing channels.
- Manage and upload product content, images and information to the Museum's online shop.
- Liaise with suppliers regarding product development, artwork, orders and deliveries.
- Work closely with Museum shop teams to support stock management and product performance.
- Assist with merchandising, stock control and retail analysis.
- Raise and process purchase orders for retail products, shop equipment and consumables.
- Monitor sales and stock performance, helping to identify opportunities to increase sales and improve availability.
- Provide administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the retail function.
About You
- Passionate about retail, product development and customer experience.
- Creative, with strong visual design skills and attention to detail.
- Experienced in using design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva or similar platforms.
- Comfortable using AI tools and image creation software to develop digital content.
- Highly organised and capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines.
- Numerically confident, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- A proactive self-starter with a positive, flexible and 'can-do' attitude.
- An excellent communicator, able to build effective relationships with suppliers and colleagues.
Previous experience within a retail buying, merchandising, e-commerce or product development environment would be advantageous, but we are equally interested in candidates with the enthusiasm and potential to develop their skills in these areas.
Why Join Us?
This role offers a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience across buying, design, e-commerce and retail operations within a unique cultural organisation.
You'll work with a varied and distinctive product range, contribute to exciting new product launches, and help shape the retail experience enjoyed by visitors and customers both in our museums and online.
Reporting to the Head of Retail and Admissions, this position is ideal for an ambitious retail professional looking to broaden their commercial and creative experience and take the next step in their career.
The role will be based at our London site.
The closing date for applications is: 12 November 2026.
Interviews will take place on: 23 November 2026.
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Design and Buying Executive in City of London employer: Royal Air Force Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum in London is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises visitor engagement and teamwork. Employees benefit from flexible part-time hours, opportunities for personal growth within the museum environment, and the chance to contribute to a unique cultural institution that celebrates aviation history. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values your contributions and fosters a friendly atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design and Buying Executive in City of London
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Royal Air Force Museum, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Royal Air Force Museum!
We think you need these skills to ace Design and Buying Executive in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Royal Air Force Museum, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Royal Air Force Museum and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Royal Air Force Museum that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Air Force Museum
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
