Job Description

JOB TITLE: #1804 Retail Buyer, Native American Products 

LOCATION: History Center – 345 W Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102 with the possibility of working in various greater/metro Minnesota site locations 

COMPENSATION: $26.78 hourly minimum (approximately $55,700.00 annual)
STATUS & HOURS: Full-time, regular (approximately 2,080 annual hours) position. 

BENEFITS: Eligible to participate in the State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution. Generous vacation and sick time accruals with additional paid holidays. 

DESIGNATION: Bargaining Unit AFSCME Local 3173 

POSTING DATE: June 30, 2023 

DEADLINE DATE: July 21, 2023 

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must apply online at the Minnesota Historical Society’s career center at www.mnhs.org/jobs and include a resume and cover letter by the 

application deadline date. 

DESCRIPTION: This position exists to plan, select, and purchase products for all of the Minnesota Historical Society’s (MNHS) retail store locations with an emphasis on products from Native American communities, cultures, and artists. The Retail Buyer will also assist with the product population and expansion of the MNHS online store, and serve as the MNHS Native American products expert for all sites across the network. 

SUMMARY OF WORK: 1) Manage, evaluate and purchase appropriate Native American and other products for all MNHS retail stores; 2) Provide collaborative leadership on products, merchandise, and marketing that unite the MNHS brand across the network; and 3) Participate in the MNHS Retail Team, provide support and back-up for achieving department goals and objectives and to ensure the needs of MNHS staff and external customers are met. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Retail Administration, Merchandising, Business or other related field or equivalent experience. 
• Four years of experience in retail merchandising, purchasing products, or other related professional experience. 
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule. 
• Ability and willingness to travel. 
• Valid driver’s license. 
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds. 

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS IN: 

• Developing effective working relationships with vendors, artists, and designers. ● Strong negotiation skills and ability to build positive relationships with suppliers.
• Customer service and interpersonal communications skills sufficient to establish and maintain effective working relationships. 
• Working with diverse audiences of varying cultural backgrounds, ages, and abilities in a customer service environment. 
• Thinking imaginatively and problem solving. 
• Multitasking, working effectively under pressure to meet deadlines, prioritizing and adapting to changing priorities. 
• Working independently and taking individual initiative while also being able to collaborate effectively and contribute positively in a team environment. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Record keeping skills sufficient to maintain thorough and accurate records.
• Analyzing data, making recommendations, and preparing summary reports.
• Computer skills and technical proficiency. 

KNOWLEDGE OF: 

• Retail management, product development and selection, market trends and consumer preferences, business management, visual merchandising, contract negotiations with vendors, monitoring and enforcing contractual agreements, and pricing merchandise. 
• Inventory management and order fulfillment processes.
• In-depth knowledge of retail industry trends, suppliers, and product categories.
• Application and principles of federal and state purchasing procedures and laws.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Knowledge and expertise of Native American Communities within Minnesota and beyond.
• Familiarity with current Native American artistry and craftsmanship. 
• Understanding of any state and/or federal laws affecting Native American Product production and/or distribution. 
• Knowledge and experience in retail management, product development and selection, market trends, business management, technology, graphic design. 
• Overall knowledge of Minnesota history and cultural resources, as related to MNHS and its historic sites to develop venue specific merchandise. 

Should you have questions with the application process, email hu************@mn**.org. 

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: #native american, #retail, buyer, history, merchandise, and museum. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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