Merchandise Manager
SLAC · Palo Alto, CA
- Posted 2 days ago
About the Role
Budgeted Salary Range : $55,000 - $60,656 annually
Position Overview Stanford University Golf Course is seeking a highly motivated and business-minded golf professional to serve as the Merchandise Manager. Reporting directly to the Head Golf Professional, this position is responsible for leading all golf shop merchandising operations, including purchasing, inventory management, retail strategy, vendor relationships, and the overall member and guest retail experience. The Merchandise Manager plays a critical role in developing a premier golf retail environment that reflects the Stanford Golf Course brand while maximizing revenue opportunities, maintaining strong financial performance, and delivering exceptional service to Stanford members, guests, student-athletes, university partners, and visitors.
Primary Areas of Focus Golf Shop Operations & Retail Leadership
Lead daily golf shop merchandising operations and maintain a premier retail experience. Develop and implement merchandising strategies aligned with member preferences, golf industry trends, and Stanford Golf Course standards. Manage product selection, inventory levels, purchasing decisions, and seasonal merchandise planning. Establish and maintain retail standards for product presentation, organization, and customer service. Support training, scheduling, and development of golf shop employees.
Merchandise Purchasing & Inventory Management
Manage vendor relationships, purchasing processes, and merchandise procurement. Analyze sales trends, inventory performance, margins, and product demand to guide purchasing decisions. Maintain appropriate inventory levels while maximizing sales opportunities and minimizing excess inventory. Coordinate merchandise receiving, pricing, product displays, and inventory controls. Utilize POS systems, inventory platforms, and reporting tools to support business decisions.
Member Experience & Revenue Development
Create an engaging retail experience for members, guests, and visitors. Identify opportunities to enhance merchandise offerings, increase retail engagement, and support revenue growth. Collaborate with golf operations and programming teams on events, promotions, and merchandise initiatives. Support tournament, member event, and university merchandise needs.
Operations Support & Strategic Initiatives
Support temporary facility operations during the Clubhouse renovation transition. Assist with operational planning, inventory logistics, and retail continuity during facility changes. Collaborate with DAPER leadership, vendors, and university partners. Serve as a key operational resource to the Head Golf Professional.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience. PGA of America membership preferred. Minimum two years of experience managing golf merchandise operations, retail operations, or a similar hospitality environment. Demonstrated experience with purchasing, inventory management, vendor relationships, and retail operations. Strong understanding of golf equipment, apparel, merchandise trends, and customer preferences. Experience managing merchandise operations at a private club, resort, university, or premier golf facility. Experience with Oracle Financials, purchasing systems, inventory management software, and reporting tools. Experience with Club Caddie, POS systems, and golf management technology platforms. Experience developing retail promotions, merchandising campaigns, and customer engagement initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Traits
Fundamental knowledge of the game of golf, golf equipment, apparel, merchandise trends, and customer preferences. Strong understanding of retail operations, merchandising strategy, inventory management, purchasing processes, and financial performance. Fundamental supervisory practices and principles with the ability to train, coach, and develop golf shop employees. Act as a role model for all employees by demonstrating professionalism, integrity, accountability, and the exceptional service standards expected of Stanford Golf Course employees. Strong organizational, planning, prioritization, and project management skills. Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze sales trends, margins, inventory performance, and purchasing decisions. Self-motivated with a desire to promote merchandise initiatives, enhance retail engagement, and increase revenue opportunities. Service and customer-focused attitude with a commitment to creating a premier retail experience. Excellent written and oral business communication skills. Strong vendor relationship management and negotiation abilities. Experienced user of Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Workspace, POS systems, inventory platforms, and business management applications. Ability to remain current on golf merchandise trends, apparel brands, retail strategies, marketing initiatives, and customer engagement practices. Attend conferences, workshops, meetings, and trade shows to remain current on retail and golf industry trends. Maintain and promote a positive professional image within Stanford University, the golf industry, vendors, and the community.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions. Ability to stand, walk, and perform operational duties throughout the golf facility. Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, merchandise, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Ability to operate university vehicles as required.
Responsibilities Core Duties:
Assist in administering and evaluating day-to-day activities ofthe operation and/or golf program. Assist in operational sport-relatedtasks and ensure high-quality customer service is delivered to Golfingsports and/or recreation participants and coaches.
Using relevant knowledge, support the golf operation and/or golfprogram with equipment, facilities, or logistical efforts and specialrequests, as needed.
Assist in maintaining accurate financial records, includinginventory tracking and budgeting. Resolve basic accounting or inventorydiscrepancies via standardized procedures and practices.
Assist in collecting, analyzing, and reporting market, equipmentand trend data.
Provide input process, policy, or procedureimprovements.
May coach / advise more junior athletic staff, student employeesand contingent staff.
Document the routine maintenance or reviews of equipment andphysical structure and maintain the records of all warranties andservices for the facility.
May operate retail and inventory technologies daily.
May serve as field instructor for multi-day programs andcourses.
Collect, disseminate and organize enrollment materials, accidentreports, assumption of risk forms, and any other required record keepingnecessary.
Knowledge of NCAA regulations.
A Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience, orcombination of education and relative experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Strong ability to collaborate and balance competing needs andpriorities.
A strong attention to detail and work ethic.
Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and writtencommunication skills.
Direct experience with competitive golf and experience managingall aspects of golf tournaments.
Must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
Must possess strong computer skills.
Experienced in tournament operations.
Experienced in golf shop merchandising.
Must be able to safely and properly operate a golf cart.
Certificates and Licenses Required
Must be registered in the PGA PGM.
Pay Range $51,479-$96,095 Pay Frequency Annually Fixed Term N Stanford Schools and Units Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) Full time or Part time Full Time Regular or Temporary Regular Posting Date 10/01/2026, 10:02 PM Grade E Job Identification 201272
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Benefits that support you, and your future 18+ PTO days per year
Health benefits start when you start
Flexible work options
$6000+ annual tuition and training assistance
403(b) plan
Mental health and wellness programs
Free and discounted commuter transportation
Applies to regular full-time positions.
Notice to Applicants Notice to Applicants The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford University provides job pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a particular job. The specific pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic work location, relevant knowledge, skills and abilities, relevant education, years of relevant experience, depth and breadth of relevant experience, and performance; further including but not limited to other business and organization needs such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the minimum qualifications, departmental budget availability, and market and internal equity across the university, school/ unit, department, as well as job reporting relations hips.
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