Farm Store Retail Manager

Location: Queens County Farm Museum
Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Department: Visitor Services

About Queens County Farm Museum
Queens County Farm Museum (QCFM) is one of New York State’s oldest continuously farmed sites, with roots dating back to 1697. A designated New York City Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, QCFM welcomes approximately 500,000 visitors each year. The 47-acre site brings together agriculture, history, environmental education, and public programming in a working farm setting.

The Farm operates a year-round Farm Store and seasonal farmstands featuring products grown or produced on-site, alongside New York-grown, New York-made, local, educational, and seasonal merchandise. Retail operations support the visitor experience while generating earned revenue for Queens Farm’s programs and mission.

The Farm Store works closely with Agriculture, Education, Marketing and Communications, Finance, and Visitor Services to connect merchandise and retail activities with seasonal crops, public events, educational programs, and the broader story of Queens County Farm Museum.

The Opportunity
Queens County Farm Museum seeks a practical and hands-on Farm Store Retail Manager to oversee the daily operation of the year-round Farm Store and related seasonal retail areas. Reporting to the Executive Director, the manager will be responsible for merchandise purchasing and presentation, inventory and sales tracking, staff scheduling, customer service, and coordination with seasonal events and marketing activities. The successful candidate will keep the store organized, well stocked, financially responsible, and aligned with the strategic priorities established by the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

  • Retail Operations & Merchandising
    • Manage daily Farm Store operations, including opening and closing, point-of-sale transactions, cash handling, stocking, cleanliness, and customer service
    • Select, order, receive, price, and merchandise products, with an emphasis on New York-grown, New York-made, local, educational, farm-related, and seasonal items
    • Maintain attractive, organized, and well-stocked retail, greenhouse, and storage areas
  • Inventory, Sales & Vendor Management
    • Maintain accurate product and inventory records in Square; conduct routine counts; and monitor stock levels, shrink, fast- and slow-moving items, and inventory discrepancies
    • Track daily, weekly, and monthly sales and provide clear sales and inventory reports to the Executive Director and Finance Department
    • Maintain vendor records and coordinate purchase orders, deliveries, invoices, and payment documentation with Finance Department
  • Staff Leadership & Customer Experience
    • Schedule, train, supervise, and provide daily direction to part-time and seasonal retail staff and volunteers, including shift coverage and callouts
    • Ensure staff provide welcoming, informed, and professional customer service in a busy public-facing environment
    • Respond to visitor questions and help connect customers with Farm products, programs, memberships, and seasonal offerings
  • Seasonal Events, Marketing & Collaboration
    • Coordinate merchandise, staffing, displays, and promotions for holidays, festivals, seasonal events, and other high-volume periods
    • Work with Marketing and Communications on product highlights, in-store signage, social media content, and seasonal promotions
    • Coordinate with Agriculture, Education, Finance, Visitor Services, and the Executive Director so retail priorities align with seasonal programming and organizational goals
    • Support seasonal greenhouse retail operations and assist with museum-wide events as needed
  • Other Duties as Assigned
    • Perform light administrative tasks related to the Farm Store
    • Support cross-departmental initiatives aligned with QCFM’s mission

Required Qualifications & Experience

  • Required
    • At least two years of retail experience, including responsibility for merchandise, inventory, sales reporting, purchasing, staff scheduling, or comparable store operations
    • Prior supervisory experience and the ability to lead part-time and seasonal staff in a busy, public-facing environment
    • Experience using point-of-sale and inventory systems
    • Working knowledge of Excel or Google Sheets and comfort reviewing basic sales and inventory data
    • Strong organization, accuracy, follow-through, communication, and customer service skills
    • Ability to stand for extended periods, work indoors and outdoors, and lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
    • Availability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and seasonal events based on operational needs
  • Preferred
    • Experience with Square point-of-sale and inventory management
    • Experience in a farm market, museum, nonprofit, garden center, specialty retail, or food retail setting
    • Experience coordinating merchandise or promotions around seasonal events and high-volume sales periods
    • Familiarity with New York-grown, New York-made, local food, agricultural, or educational products

Workplace Conditions & Environment

  • Full-time, non-exempt position; 40 hours per week
  • Work is primarily performed in a public-facing retail environment, with some work in seasonal greenhouse and outdoor retail areas
  • The regular schedule may include weekends, evenings, holidays, and seasonal events based on operational needs

Hours & Compensation

  • Hourly Rate: $25 per hour
  • This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance or retirement benefits. Statutory benefits are provided as required by law
  • Queens County Farm Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

To Apply

Please send a resume and brief cover letter to hr@queensfarm.org with “Farm Store Retail Manager Position” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Applications will be accepted until the position is closed.

Queens County Farm Museum (QCFM) supports diversity in the workplace. QCFM is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer (EOE) and supports a drug-free workplace.