Austin, Texas, United States
Workplace Team reporting to VP of Workplace
This is an onsite role with limited hybrid flexibility
Step into the heartbeat of Capital Factory’s hospitality—the gift shop—where every visitor is welcomed with a smile, guided to their destination, and sent off with a memorable keepsake. From handing out free stickers to helping guests navigate people, rooms, and events, we create a seamless and delightful experience. We sell books, t-shirts, and exclusive merchandise, manage an online store, and handle all swag for the shop, events, and VIP guests.
As Retail & Merchandise Manager, you’ll take the lead on overseeing personnel, merchandising, and inventory for both the Austin retail location and the online store. You’ll also manage all Capital Factory t-shirts and swag across the state. Alongside a team of part-time staff, you’ll ensure the store operates smoothly from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and during special weekend events.
What you will do…
- Provide exceptional customer service by welcoming and assisting every guest with a friendly smile and directing them if needed.
- Distribute complimentary stickers to visitors and create a positive first impression.
- Oversee and manage all inventory for the gift shop/online and ensure swag needs are met across the company and for Cornerstone events.
- Maintain a well-organized stockroom by efficiently receiving merchandise, tracking inventory, and minimizing damages.
- Lead merchandising efforts for both the physical retail store and the online store, ensuring a visually appealing and well-stocked backroom.
- Handle all payment processes, including customer transactions, vendor payments, and financial reconciliations.
- Enforce security, loss prevention, and credit policies, ensuring adherence to procedures for discounts, employee purchases, deposit logs, and return/exchange policies.
- Set and track sales objectives on daily, weekly, monthly, and annual levels, and generate comprehensive sales reports.
- Own the end-to-end merchandise procurement process, including planning, pricing strategy, and promotional planning to drive sales.
- Manage and grow the online store, ensuring a seamless eCommerce experience for customers.
- Train and manage part-time staff to maintain high standards of service and operations.
- Oversee the operation of 3D printers, including managing and assisting 3D print staff, scheduling member print needs, supporting internal print requests (e.g., events and decor), and maintaining adequate supplies and consumables.
You'll know you're successful if....
- The gift shop and online store consistently achieves monthly and annual sales targets set in collaboration with the VP of Workplace, showing steady growth and engagement.
- Customer reviews and feedback on online purchases reflect high satisfaction, with positive comments on product quality, packaging, and delivery experience.
- Collaborations with mentors and partners translate to a successful eCommerce presence, with their books and merchandise featured prominently online.
- Inventory for the online store and gift shop are accurately managed, ensuring popular items are always in stock and backorders are minimized.
- The online store leverages data analytics to improve sales and customer engagement, using insights from traffic, conversion rates, and customer demographics to refine strategies.
- The gift shop is always an active and engaging element of the Capital Factory ecosystem; an extension of our community via active presence at events and activations and a key component of the overall member experience.
About you…
- You have at least five years of experience in retail, with a proven ability to deliver exceptional service and achieve sales goals.
- You are customer-focused, outgoing, and thrive in building connections with people from all walks of life.
- You have exposure to corporate settings and understand the dynamics of working in a professional, fast-paced environment.
- You have a foundational knowledge of eCommerce operations, including online merchandising, inventory management, and customer service best practices.
- You are detail-oriented and love documentation—you create and maintain organized lists, spreadsheets, and systems.
- You’re a multi-tasker who can juggle competing priorities and stay efficient under pressure.
- You are a problem solver with a knack for identifying inefficiencies and implementing streamlined solutions.
- You are proactive, highly organized, and always plan ahead, yet you remain adaptable when plans change at the last minute.
- You are willing and available to work during evening and weekend events, ensuring seamless operations during special occasions.
About our team…
- We have a passion for startups and technology.
- We are transparent and we over-communicate.
- We have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- We communicate when we are not able to meet a deadline and suggest a solution.
- We are professional and presentable and greet everyone cheerfully. We’re ready to deal with an immature student, a pushy salesperson, top VC’s, a fortune 500 CEO, and even the President of the United States.
- We are excited to work in downtown Austin and have reliable transportation.
- We have a quiet place where we can work remotely with fast internet.
- We are security aware. We have a passcode on our computers and phones and use a password manager.
- We are able to efficiently use the Google suite of productivity tools (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides).
- We are available to work during SXSW (Spring Break), DREAMCON (one week long staff summits twice a year), and Austin Startup Week.
- We get to Inbox Zero every day.
- 4 weeks paid time off (one week is between Christmas and New Year’s)
- Personal health, vision and dental insurance paid 100% by Capital Factory
- Additional benefits such as 401k program (50% company matching), life insurance, short & long term disability and and employee assistance program
- Parental leave including 10 weeks paid leave for birthing parents and 4 weeks paid leave for non-birthing parents
- $1,000 personal innovation budget on your first year anniversary and then an additional $500 each anniversary thereafter
- Coworking membership at Capital Factory with garage parking space, metro pass, or rideshare credits and access to the onsite gym
- A priceless network
