Retail Assistant Manager

Retail Assistant Manager

Toronto Botanical Garden (TBG) is the leading destination in Toronto to experience sustainable horticulture, and to better understand our collective role as stewards of our ecosystem. With free admission and over 300,000 visitors a year, TBG welcomes everyone to learn to love plants. Beyond an inspiring plant oasis, we are a dynamic community hub and an engaging learning environment.

In partnership with the City of Toronto, TBG is embarking on an exciting landmark capital expansion. Today the Garden is a 4-acre botanical garden nestled in the City of Toronto’s Park System adjacent to Edwards Gardens and the Wilket Creek Trail. As the Garden prepares to expand its managerial oversight across thirty-five acres (in a phased approach), the organization is scaling up to achieve sustained organizational performance as a relevant and inspiring living museum.

Toronto Botanical Garden connects people and plants, fostering sustainable communities and developing reciprocal relationships with nature through lifelong learning.

How you will make an Impact

The Botanical Garden is seeking a Retail Assistant Manager to support the organization as a destination retailer, delivering inspiring guest experiences at our Garden-based shop and online storefronts. Core to your role is ensuring that the TBG brand is reflected in the retail environment, helping to strengthen the brand's impact and audience engagement. Through your entrepreneurial mindset you will advance the Garden’s retail operations and strategy. And your dedication to guest experience will inspire and activate our Garden’s workforce of volunteers and staff, providing positive experiences for our diverse audience. Through all of your efforts you will contribute to the Garden being an inspired plant place, engaging learning environment and a dynamic community hub.

Job Scope
- Assists Retail Manager with all aspects of running the physical store, including but not limited to opening and closing the store, providing a safe and welcoming environment, while showcasing the Garden’s mission through retail
- Design and implement product displays to create a visually engaging store layout that attracts customers and encourages purchases.
- Manages all aspects of inventory, including shipping and receiving, inputting stock into Shopify, organizing stock space, and maximizing inventory flow
- Coordinates with accounts payable for vendor invoices and credits
- Support Retail Manager in handling customer inquiries and service recovery
- Analyzes sales data, tracking progress toward goals, and assists in creating reports to assess store performance and success of marketing efforts
- Leads the Garden Shop’s online storefront, overseeing weekly promotions, visual content, and storytelling to enhance user engagement and drive sales
- Manges online order fulfillment along with special order requests
- Manages volunteers and part-time staff, including scheduling and assigning daily tasks
- Trains volunteers and part-time staff on new programs, products, procedures, and policies
- Leads volunteers and part-time staff, creating a valued and engaged retail team
- Builds, calibrates, and expands the Garden’s retail experience to strengthen the brand while looking for new opportunities that support engaging diverse audiences
- Collaborates with internal teams and external stakeholders to promote retail and enhance its presence at TBG events, in partnership with Marketing and Audience Engagement.
- Regularly walks the Garden and keeps current with what is happening at the Garden to support a positive guest experience
- Stays up to date with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to ensure the garden remains at the forefront of destination retail experiences

**Requirements**:

- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in retail
- Two years' experience in stock/operations management
- Two years' experience in creating visual displays and merchandising
- Proven track record of guest experience, inventory, and people management
- Organized, process-focused and detail-oriented with superb time management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of audiences
- Proactive self-starter who exhibits initiative and leadership
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Point of Sale Systems-Shopify (preferred), inventory entry and management systems
- Passion for nature, environmental sustainability, and community engagement
- Experience or personal interest in cultural organizations such as museums, botanic gardens, arts or nature-centered institutions
- Ability to lift 50 pounds, climb ladders
- Must be available to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and statutory holidays

Job Characteristics
- You are passionate about the mission of Toronto Botanical Garden,