Retail Merchandise Manager

Do you have retail product development expertise?
- Develop the merchandise strategy for an iconic Melbourne institution
- 2-years' Fixed-term VPS 5 role, Full-time (Part-time considered)

**About the Opportunity**

This is a rare opportunity to develop and deliver a range of commercially successful retail products that reflect the unique identity, history, and cultural significance of State Library Victoria. The Retail Merchandise Manager is responsible for merchandise aligned with exhibitions and the Library's architecture, as well as the Library's role as a major tourist destination. The role combines creative product development with commercial acumen to enhance the visitor experience and generate revenue.

The Retail Merchandise Manager is accountable for the following measurable outcomes:

- Developing and implementing a compelling retail merchandise strategy
- Sourcing a range of commercially viable quality branded products
- Identifying third-party supplier opportunities and mutually beneficial relationships
- Developing a growth strategy and business case for pop-up and online stores
- Analysis of performance and sales data, optimising revenue and customer satisfaction
- Ensuring compliance and best practice, including ethical sourcing and sustainability.

**About You**

You have well-developed buying, product development and merchandising skills gained via your work across multiple retail sites, ideally within the galleries, libraries, arts or museums sector. Possessing commercial acumen, you have a track record in identifying successful new business opportunities that support growth, articulated by sound business cases tailored to a senior stakeholder audience.

In addition, you will come to us with:

- A Business degree, or relevant equivalent experience.
- Significant end-to-end experience in developing commercially successful products, from planning, product development, supply and purchasing to retail trend analysis.
- Significant experience and understanding of the operation of an onsite and online retail business within the cultural, attractions, or tourism sector.
- Demonstrated experience in inventory management, including monitoring sales, determining appropriate margins and development of metrics-based merchandise plans.
- Conceptual thinking capability to identify new business opportunities, and analytical problem-solving skills to develop sound business cases, resulting in evidence-based decision-making.
- Significant experience negotiating and managing commercially competitive contracts with key partners, stakeholders and suppliers.
- Highly developed communication and networking skills, with demonstrated success in engaging key stakeholder groups and the ability to promote and advocate for a business or brand.

**About the Library**

State Library Victoria is Australia's oldest public library, and one of the first free public libraries in the world.

We believe in the power of knowledge to change lives. Free to access and open to all, the Library enriches the cultural, educational, social and economic lives of all Victorians.

State Library Victoria preserves and shares the stories of Victoria and the world, and is a major destination for stimulating cultural experiences, contemporary debates, and community-driven collecting. We encourage learning, exploration, imagination, and creativity, opening up possibilities for all Victorians.

**State Library Victoria is a child-safe organisation. A valid Working with Children Check will be required before commencing.**

State Library Victoria promotes a workplace that actively seeks to welcome and value the unique contributions of all people. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from cultural and linguistical diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+, D/deaf, disabled, neurodiverse people and people of all ages and abilities to apply.

**How to apply**
- Resume
- Cover letter (maximum 3 pages) summarising how you meet the _key selection criteria_ in the Position Description and the About You section of the advertisement.

**Enquiries**

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**Reasonable Adjustments**

**Advertising closes**on **Sunday, 9 November 2025**at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight-Savings Time.