Retail & Cafe Operations Manager

Come join the fun and make a difference with Discovery Cube! For over 25 years, we've been inspiring kids and educators alike with our hands-on science education initiatives and interactive exhibits. Our four core initiatives - STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship - are future-forward in promoting life-long-learning. Plus, with our immersive campuses in Orange County and Los Angeles, as well as our educational outreach programs, there are endless opportunities for learning exploration. As a prominent advocate for modern science education, we believe in empowering our learners with real-world applications and spotlighting science as a solution and force for good. Don't miss out on the excitement and join our important mission today!

Position:

The Retail & Café Operations Manager is responsible for leading the strategy, operations, and financial performance of Discovery Cube’s Retail Store, with additional oversight of Café operations. This position drives retail sales and profitability through effective merchandising, buying, inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, and vendor management while identifying opportunities to strengthen the guest experience and grow revenue.

The Manager oversees product assortment, pricing, purchasing, inventory controls, visual merchandising, and vendor relationships while using sales and financial data to guide business decisions. This position also provides operational oversight of the Café, including staffing, inventory, cost controls, service standards, and food safety compliance.

The Retail & Café Operations Manager reports to the Director of Operations and works collaboratively with Operations, Finance, Marketing, Programming, and Development teams.

Responsibilities:

Retail Operations & Merchandising

• Lead the day-to-day operations and overall performance of the Retail Store.
• Develop and execute retail strategies to increase sales, profitability, and guest engagement.
• Manage merchandise assortment, product selection, pricing, placement, and visual merchandising.
• Evaluate product performance and sales trends to identify opportunities, adjust product mix, and improve sell-through.
• Develop seasonal merchandise strategies and product offerings that align with Discovery Cube’s exhibits, programs, events, and guest demographics.
• Ensure the Retail Store is organized, fully stocked, visually appealing, and guest-ready.
• Identify new retail concepts, products, and revenue-generating opportunities.

Buying, Inventory & Vendor Management

• Lead merchandise buying, purchasing, replenishment, and inventory planning for Retail operations.
• Forecast inventory needs based on historical performance, attendance, seasonality, promotions, and anticipated demand.
• Establish and maintain appropriate inventory levels while minimizing excess inventory, shrink, and out-of-stock merchandise.
• Analyze sales, inventory turnover, margins, and product performance to inform purchasing decisions.
• Manage high-volume vendor relationships, including product sourcing, pricing, terms, ordering, delivery, and issue resolution.
• Negotiate vendor pricing and terms to maximize value and profitability.
• Conduct regular inventory audits and oversee bi-annual physical inventories.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and appropriate purchasing and receiving controls.

Financial Performance & Revenue Growth

• Develop and manage departmental sales goals, budgets, forecasts, and operating plans.
• Monitor sales performance, gross margins, labor costs, inventory levels, and other key financial metrics.
• Analyze financial and operational reports to identify trends, opportunities, and areas requiring corrective action.
• Develop action plans to increase revenue, control expenses, and improve profitability.
• Partner with Marketing to develop seasonal promotions, product campaigns, and event-specific sales opportunities.

Café Operations Oversight

• Provide operational oversight of the Café, ensuring efficient daily operations and a consistent guest experience.
• Monitor Café sales, labor, food costs, inventory, waste, and overall financial performance.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and operational coverage.
• Oversee Café purchasing and inventory controls and work with vendors to maintain appropriate product availability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, health department, sanitation, and company standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve Café efficiency, product offerings, service, and profitability.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop Retail and Café team members.
• Establish clear performance expectations and promote accountability for sales, service, operational, and financial goals.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Develop staff product knowledge and selling skills to improve guest engagement and retail performance.
• Ensure team members understand promotions, discounts, memberships, and guest engagement opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and guest-focused team environment.

Guest Experience

• Ensure guests receive friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable service across Retail and Café operations.
• Monitor guest feedback and identify opportunities to improve the overall experience.
• Address guest concerns and resolve issues promptly and professionally.
• Support Discovery Cube’s educational mission by identifying retail merchandise and Café offerings that complement exhibits, programs, and family engagement.

Strategic Planning

• Develop short- and long-term strategies for Retail growth and Café operational performance.
• Research retail, museum store, attraction, and hospitality trends to identify new opportunities.
• Recommend operational improvements and new revenue-generating initiatives.
• Support special events, exhibit openings, and fundraising activities through Retail and Café participation.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3–5 years of retail operations, merchandising, buying, or related management experience.
• Demonstrated experience with merchandise buying, inventory management, forecasting, and vendor relationships.
• Experience managing budgets, sales performance, margins, labor costs, and other operational financial metrics.
• Experience leading and developing teams in a high-volume, guest-facing environment.
• Food service, café, hospitality, or attraction experience is preferred but not required.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales and financial data and translate findings into business decisions.
• Strong negotiation, communication, organizational, and vendor-management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience working with inventory, POS, or retail management systems preferred.
• Ability to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events as needed.

What’s In It For You:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Optional supplemental insurance coverage
• 401K with up to 4% match after one year for full-time employees
• 14 Free general admission tickets per year
• 4 Bubblefest tickets plus admission
• 10% of on-site dining and shopping discount
• Employee discounts through ADP
• Accrued paid time off for full-time employees
• 10 paid company holidays

Compensation

Compensation

$70,304—$75,000 USD

Discovery Cube provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.