NHMLAC is building a new in-house ecommerce business to support the Natural History Museum and La Brea Tar Pits. We are seeking an Ecommerce Manager to lead the day-to-day operations, merchandising, and financial performance of this business.
This is a hands-on, operational role responsible for executing and managing all aspects of ecommerce, including assortment planning, inventory and open-to-buy management, vendor coordination, fulfillment, customer service, and revenue performance.
The Ecommerce Manager will own the ecommerce P&L in execution, ensuring that the business operates efficiently, meets revenue goals, and delivers a high-quality customer experience aligned with the museum’s mission.
Responsibilities:
Manage the day-to-day operation of the Shopify ecommerce site, including product setup, pricing, promotions, and inventory updates
Maintain site accuracy across product information, imagery, availability, and merchandising
Monitor site performance and resolve operational or technical issues in partnership with internal and external teams
Manage the e-commerce platform, supporting systems, and external vendors, including web, payment systems, and fulfillment providers, partnering with Visitor Services, Retail, Marketing, Digital, and Technology to maintain site functionality and ensure high-quality product imagery and storytelling across digital channels
Lead conversion optimization and customer experience improvements across the full funnel, including testing, navigation, search, and on-site content.
Own ecommerce retail marketing across site, email/CRM, paid media (where applicable), and retail-specific social channels, partnering with Brand Marketing to ensure alignment with institutional priorities
Build and maintain an open-to-buy (OTB) model aligned to sales forecasts and inventory targets
Plan and execute product assortments across exhibitions, seasonal drops, and core museum merchandise
Source and purchase products from vendors, including negotiating pricing, minimums, and lead times
Track inventory levels and manage reorders to optimize sell-through and minimize excess stock
Partner with existing retail partner to coordinate IRL and Ecommerce Selling of products and purchase of future products
Partner with internal stakeholders to develop exclusive and mission-aligned products
Own execution against revenue targets, margin goals, and inventory productivity metrics
Build and manage the ecommerce operating budget, including product costs, shipping, packaging, and fulfillment expenses
Optimize pricing, promotions, and discount strategies to maximize revenue and margin
Monitor key KPIs including conversion rate, AOV, sell-through, inventory turn, and contribution margin
Coordinate with vendors and a third-party logistics (3PL) partner for inbound shipments, storage, and order fulfillment
Manage purchase orders, shipping timelines, and receiving processes to ensure inventory accuracy and availability
Optimize fulfillment workflows and shipping costs to improve efficiency and customer experience
Order and manage packaging materials and supplies
Own and manage email-based customer service, including order inquiries, issue resolution, and customer communications
Process and manage returns and exchanges, ensuring timely resolution and accurate inventory updates
Identify recurring customer issues and implement operational improvements
Track and report on ecommerce performance, including sales, inventory, and customer metrics
Use data to inform buying decisions, pricing strategies, and merchandising improvements
Maintain clean and structured product and inventory data for reporting and operational efficiency
5+ years of experience in ecommerce operations, merchandising, or digital retail
Hands-on experience managing a Shopify (or similar) ecommerce platform
Strong understanding of inventory management, buying, and open-to-buy planning
Experience working with vendors, purchase orders, and 3PL/fulfillment operations
Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, pricing, and margin performance
Comfortable managing customer service workflows and resolving customer issues directly
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with proficiency in Excel/Google Sheets
Experience managing eCommerce systems and vendors, including Shopify apps, CRM/email platforms, web development partners, and marketing platform integrations
Experience with fulfillment, logistics, and inventory coordination, including demand planning and 3PL/vendor relationships
Experience coordinating closely with onsite retail teams, suppliers, artists, and enterprise stakeholders to align merchandising, product development, inventory, and campaigns
Salary range for this position is $89,065.17- $95,769 plus excellent benefits. This is a Regular Full Time position A cover letter, current resume, and list of 3-4 references are required for all applicants. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Interested candidates please visit www.nhmlac.org/careers-our-museums and click the link of the position for which you are interested or go directly to the online application.
The NHM has amassed one of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history — more than 35 million objects, some as old as 4.5 billion years. Its curatorial staff not only cares for those collections, but uses them for groundbreaking scientific and historic research. The Museum also curates new, immersive exhibitions that give visitors the opportunity to explore the “big picture” of our planet — specimens and objects, the stories behind them, and the increasing interrelatedness of the natural and cultural worlds. The Natural History Family of Museums is dedicated to seeking employees who have demonstrated experience and commitment working with a diverse community.
