Apparel Purchasing and Retail Manager

Company: Walsh Jesuit High School
Location: Chicago
Posted on: May 24, 2025

Job Description:

Position: Apparel Purchasing and Retail ManagerLocation: Cuyahoga Falls, OHJob Id: 294# of Openings: 1Apparel Purchasing and Retail ManagerWalsh Jesuit High School, a Catholic college-preparatory school in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, has an immediate opening for an experienced purchasing and retail management professional to support its mission of developing competence, conscience, and compassion within its students while teaching them to actively engage with their community as men and women for others. The Apparel Purchasing and Retail Manager is responsible for the purchasing, merchandising, and sales operations of the school's branded apparel and athletic uniforms. This includes management of Walsh Jesuit's e-commerce platform and retail Spirit Shop as well as coordination of uniform, apparel and merchandise acquisition for various school departments including athletic teams, advancement, enrollment, and student life.The qualified candidate will possess the following:

• High school diploma or GED and at least three years prior retail management experience.
• Proven experience in retail management, purchasing, merchandising, and sales tracking.
• Proficiency with Shopify or similar e-commerce platforms.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities with vendors and customers.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience in staff supervision and training.
• Strong financial/operational skills including hands-on experience managing inventory and cash controls.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and work independently.
• Embrace and display Catholic/Christian values and spiritual life.Essential duties of this position include:Purchasing and Vendor Management
  • Purchase apparel, uniforms, and spirit merchandise in line with school branding guidelines.
  • Manage all aspects of vendor relationships - negotiating pricing, timelines, and managing product quality.
  • Maintain strong relationships with current vendors and source new suppliers as needed.Inventory and Sales Management
    • Oversee and optimize inventory management processes to prevent stock shortages or overages and set prices to achieve agreed upon margins.
    • Utilize Online and POS software (e.g. Shopify) to manage product listings, track sales, and monitor Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).
    • Analyze sales and inventory data; create reports to identify trends and make informed purchasing decisions.
    • Establish and maintain controls over inventory and cash.
    • Track and manage store financial performance.
    • Identify areas for improvement and recommend/implement changes.Brand and Merchandising
      • Ensure all apparel and products align with the school's brand identity.
      • Develop creative merchandising strategies to maximize sales and visual appeal.
      • Initiate and organize displays, special promotions and events to increase sales.Customer Service
        • Deliver a high level of customer service to students, parents, faculty, and visitors.
        • Handle customer inquiries, resolve issues, and ensure satisfaction with all transactions.Staff Management and Training
          • Hire, train, and supervise staff, including student and/or adult volunteers or part-time employees to assist during store hours including athletic, admissions and special events.
          • Foster a collaborative and positive work environment.
          • Ensure staff are knowledgeable about products and skilled in using the POS system.Faith Formation
            • Embrace, display, and support Catholic/Christian values and spiritual formation.
            • Regular participation in Ignatian formation activities including the school's formal formation program, school masses, retreats, and other activities/events as scheduled.Walsh Jesuit is a wonderful community to be a part of and the Apparel Purchasing and Retail Manager will be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance immediately upon employment. A 401k plan with matching contributions is available within the first month of employment along with generous paid time off.
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Keywords: Walsh Jesuit High School, Orland Park , Apparel Purchasing and Retail Manager, Executive , Chicago, Illinois