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- Tasks: Curate and develop exciting retail ranges that reflect our exhibitions and engage visitors.
- Company: Join a renowned museum with a strong brand in the heritage sector.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact by shaping unique product offerings and enhancing visitor experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for retail.
- Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with a focus on creativity and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Museum shop stocks a vast array of gifts and military memorabilia for our onsite & online audience. These sales generate considerable profit which services other areas of the museum, and online sales have grown considerably to form a substantial part of the business, taking more money than our onsite shop. The Tank Museum Online Shop has become a well-known, popular, and strong brand in the heritage sector and is going from strength to strength.
We are seeking a commercially focused Retail Buyer with strong product development experience to curate and develop compelling retail ranges that reflect our exhibition programme and brand. Working with the Senior Buyer, the Retail Buyer will research, source and develop product ranges across all categories that will resonate with visitors and align with the museum’s identity.
The role includes selecting products, developing bespoke lines, managing supplier relationships and using EPOS insights to drive commercial decision making. The role holder will be able to build solid working relationships with other departments, such as Marketing, to ensure merchandising strategies, product performance and product setup is successful for all of our retail channels.
Please note - the Retail Buyer is a customer focussed, creative, and commercially driven position rather than a procurement-based role.
Key Accountabilities- Contribute to the Museum’s forward plan by introducing innovative new products and ensuring strong margins across the range.
- Research market trends and consumer preferences to identify potential products for purchase, to include the development of bespoke products, while considering historic accuracies of our exhibitions.
- Manage your product categories from start to finish, including orders and reorders, tracking delivery dates, setting up on the online shop, managing launch dates with Marketing and the wider team, reporting on sell throughs and planning any exit strategies.
- Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers to negotiate favourable terms and pricing.
- Analyse sales data using phasing and forecasts to determine optimal inventory levels, working to 8-week sales to stock level where possible, minimising excessive inventory.
- Conduct regular performance reviews of products and suppliers to ensure alignment with company objectives and profitability targets.
- Attend trade shows, conferences, and supplier meetings to stay informed about new products and industry best practices.
- Manage and maintain the Critical Path for all product development and buying activities.
- Curate product ranges for event days and school holidays.
- Work closely with the Retail and Visitor services Manager and the onsite team to plan visually appealing product displays and merchandising, both in the shop and for event days.
- Ensure all stock purchasing follows financial procedures, with accurate recording of all transactions.
- Collaborate with the Marketing team to oversee product lines on our online shop, ensuring information is correct and a good level of inventory is maintained.
- Plan and communicate buying and delivery logistics with the onsite team.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to plan promotional activities and campaigns to increase sales.
- Support the onsite team with customer emails and other administration when required.
- Communicate effectively with wider museum departments, including finance, events, archive, and research to coordinate products and resolve issues.
- Ensure compliance with museum policies, procedures, and ethical standards in all purchasing activities.
- A degree or relevant retail management/product/merchandising qualification is desirable.
- Experience in the following is essential:
- Experience developing own-brand or bespoke product.
- Understanding of margin, mark-up and sell-through.
- Strong negotiation and supplier‑relationship‑management experience.
- Experience working with designers, makers or creative suppliers.
- Strong aesthetic and brand sensitivity.
- EPOS implementations.
- Using a Purchase order system.
- Experience with Shopify or other online retail platforms.
- Buying from the far east.
- Experience in cultural, heritage, or visitor-attraction retail.
Location - This role is flexible and can be carried out on-site, hybrid or remotely. The successful candidate must be able to commute to the museum when required to collaborate with colleagues or support events as necessary. This will be discussed in more detail during the screening process.
Advert close date - 16th April 2026. Screening interviews to be held - 21st April 2026 and In-person interviews (if successful) will be held on 29th April 2026.
We do not provide visa sponsorship opportunities.
Hybrid Heritage Retail Buyer & Merchandising in Wareham employer: The Tank Museum
Contact Detail:
The Tank Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Hybrid Heritage Retail Buyer & Merchandising in Wareham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the museum and its brand inside out! Research their exhibitions, products, and customer base. This will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to retail buying and merchandising. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Hybrid Heritage Retail Buyer & Merchandising in Wareham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Heritage: When writing your application, let your love for heritage and museums shine through. We want to see how your experiences and interests align with our mission at The Tank Museum.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in retail buying and merchandising. We’re looking for concrete examples of how you've developed product ranges or managed supplier relationships in the past.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and allows us to keep track of all applicants efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Tank Museum
✨Know Your Products
Before the interview, dive deep into the types of products the museum shop offers. Familiarise yourself with military memorabilia and gifts that resonate with the museum's identity. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how you can curate compelling retail ranges.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience with margin management and product development. Bring examples of how you've successfully negotiated with suppliers or developed bespoke products in the past. This will demonstrate your strong commercial focus, which is key for this role.
✨Highlight Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various departments, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with marketing or other teams. Share how you’ve planned promotional activities or coordinated product launches to ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready about the museum's future plans or how they measure product performance. This shows you're not just interested in the role but also in the museum's mission and how you can contribute to its success.