Retail Specialist at InsideHigherEd

SE1339.00000

Retail Specialist

Staff

Staff (ed. support)

Responsible for purchasing and managing inventory in retail commodities such as, but not limited to: program uniforms, program kits, general merchandise, electronics, computers, and school supplies for Valencia College’s Campus Store. Processes and fulfills online orders. This is a college wide position.

Fully On-site: Employee performs all of their job duties at a Valencia College location, with flexibility in the work schedule, if appropriate.

2023

Non-Exempt

S3603P

Orlando, FL 32811 - West Campus

Monday to Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00pm

Occasional weekend and evening availability is also necessary for college events

1

10/29/2025

11/11/2025

No

https://valenciacollege.peopleadmin.com/postings/40865

$37,265 per year

1. Purchases a high volume of merchandise, compares vendor bids, establishes pricing schedules, monitors usage, assures adequate inventory stock levels, and coordinates the receiving of merchandise.

2. Maintains consistent communications with campus store managers and department heads to understand their needs and anticipate stock levels.

3. Coordinates purchasing of supplies and special orders for college-wide or department projects; receiving, packing, shipping, and delivering of goods; and returning of overstocked or defective merchandise in a timely manner.

4. Maintains data information, files, reports, price lists on assigned commodities.

5. Processes and fulfills online orders.

6. Builds kits of merchandise for resale to departments or students (e.g., nursing kits, graduation boxes, etc.).

7. Conducts consistent inventory counts as directed.

8. Reconciles and processes receiving reports, vendor invoices, and other payment documents. Ensures all products have been received prior to paying vendors.

9. Prepares and issues requests for quotes and contacts vendors.

10. Researches and monitors new industry trends, consumer behavior, or advances in product lines to anticipate demand and changes in buying patterns; makes appropriate buying decisions that will increase sales.

11. Keeps a standard of receiving procedures to assure inventory accuracy and training appropriate staff in correct receiving procedures.

12. Visits campus stores to distinguish sales history, replenish needs, and identify trends, as well as provides merchandising/receiving training.

13. Attends training, classes, tradeshows, and conferences. Meets with vendors on a regular basis to compare and contrast pricing, packaging, and overall value of products.

14. Loads and unloads campus store lockers.

15. Provides guidance to work study employees and temporary help assigned to campus store operations.

16. Travels to all campus locations on a regular basis to help ensure consistency in practices and support various initiatives.

17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED: Must possess valid Florida Driver’s License. Employee will be required to operate a college vehicle, including but not limited to on and between campuses and in the local community, in order to perform the essential job functions.

Associate's Degree from a regionally accredited institution, or any equivalent combination of related education, training, and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions.

One (1) year of experience in retail or related area to include such things as ordering, pricing, and merchandising of products; establishing adequate stock and inventory controls; and processing online orders.

Experience purchasing high volume merchandise.

Experience using an electronic inventory system.

Knowledge of campus store operations and procedures.

Knowledge of basic retail mathematics.

Must have excellent customer service skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Skill in accounting/budgeting/expense reporting.

Ability to effectively and professionally interact with vendors, administration, faculty, staff, and students.

Must be able to work in a changing, busy environment where priorities and deadlines are constantly changing and being re-evaluated.

Ability to sort and create merchandise displays.

Ability to make decisions with limited supervision.

General understanding of purchasing and inventory control principles in a public agency setting.

Must be able to use creative thinking for problem solving.

Ability to work effectively in a diverse community and meet the needs of diverse student populations.

This job operates in a professional office environment and throughout the College’s worksites and grounds. Within the professional office environment, the employee will routinely operate standard office equipment including but not limited to computers, keyboards, mouse, phones, photocopiers, printers, scanners, filing cabinets and fax machines. The noise level in the office work environment is usually quiet and occasionally moderate.

While operating outside of the office environment, the employee may be exposed to elements including but not limited to wet/humid weather, extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, and unpleasant odors. The role may also involve hazards or physical risks, which require comprehending and following basic safety precautions and may require Personal Protection Equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud.

Typical physical competencies include but are not limited to remaining stationary, moving, ascending/descending, positioning self, reaching, lifting/moving objects weighing between 5-100 pounds. This job also entails frequently communicating, discerning and exchanging information, detecting and perceiving objects up close, at a distance, and the ability to adjust focus. Cognitive abilities include but are not limited to discretion, judgment, reasoning, memory, learning, maintaining confidentiality, comprehension, problem solving, and decision-making.

The typical work environment, physical and cognitive demands listed above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The College has a process to identify and make available reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is a position of special trust and requires the individual hired to successfully undergo an extensive criminal background check including credit history.

May need to relocate items of moderate to heavy weights.

Must be able to work a flexible schedule and travel to various locations for educational training, buying opportunities and to provide support to any satellite locations.

May need to work in a warehouse environment.