Hudson Gardens Guest Services Supervisor
6 days ago
Littleton
Job Description:\n\nApplication Closing Deadline: For best consideration, please submit your application materials by October 2, 2026 4:00 p.m. (MST) \nHiring Range is $52,364 to $60,555 annually based on qualifications, education and experience as it relates to the position.\nPosition Summary:\nUnder the supervision of the Hudson Gardens Manager, this position oversees the day-to-day operations of Hudson Gardens' Gift Shop and Guest Services Department and serves as the primary buyer and merchandiser for the Gift Shop. The Guest Services Supervisor develops and executes the retail merchandising strategy, including product sourcing, assortment and seasonal planning, purchasing, pricing, visual merchandising, vendor relationships, and inventory management while minimizing excess inventory. As a highly visible representative of Hudson Gardens, this position sets the standard for superior customer service and creates a welcoming experience for guests. This position supervises frontline personnel and volunteers. This position requires flexible shifts, including mornings, occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays. Performs duties in a manner consistent with the stated values of the organization.\n \nEssential Duties: \n\nOversees daily retail and guest services operations. Ensures the department is adequately staffed, appropriately stocked and merchandised, and open for business during posted business hours.\nDay-to-day operational duties include cashiering, stocking merchandise, answering and directing phone calls, greeting garden guests, supervising personnel, and other duties as assigned, all with strong customer service orientation.\nDelivers front?line customer service by greeting guests, identifying their needs, and guiding them to the appropriate programs, memberships, facility rentals, and services. Provides accurate information on schedules, requirements, pricing, and availability; assists with registrations and reservations; resolves basic issues; and ensures each guest receives timely, clear, and courteous support throughout their visit.\nHires, schedules, supervises and evaluates assigned staff, provides backup support as needed, including covering floor shifts and filling in for staff during absences. Provides or coordinates staff training and works with employees to correct deficiencies.\nReviews and approves direct reports' bi-weekly timesheets. Works directly with Payroll Department to resolve any pay issues.\nPlans, selects, and manages annual and seasonal merchandise assortments using customer demand, sales performance, event calendars, trend insights, storage capacity, and budget parameters. Determines what to buy, the timing and quantity of orders, and when to reorder, mark down, or retire products to maximize revenue and prevent excess or aging inventory.\nResponsible for inventory operations, including ordering, receiving, and verifying merchandise; monitoring sales, inventory levels, and sell-through; organizing merchandise within limited storage capacity; implementing promotions, markdowns, and price changes; and completing monthly and year-end inventory reporting.\nResponsible for inventory operations, including ordering, receiving, and verifying merchandise; monitoring sales, inventory levels, and sell-through; organizing merchandise within limited storage capacity; implementing promotions, markdowns, and price changes; and completing monthly and year-end inventory reporting.\nEnsures that the Gift Shop and related facilities remain clean, organized, and stocked.\nResearches and evaluates vendors, sales representatives, makers, and other product sources for merchandise quality, relevance, customer appeal, margin, and alignment with District needs and the visitor experience at Hudson Gardens. Cultivates strong vendor relationships and negotiates favorable pricing, discounts, order minimums, payment terms, delayed billing, shipping schedules, and advance-order opportunities. Plans seasonal and future-year purchases in advance when advantageous.\nServes as a primary public-facing representative of Hudson Gardens. Interacts with customers and groups, provides knowledgeable and superior service, resolves concerns, shares information about Hudson Gardens, and completes sales.\nCoordinates the commercial photographer programs and permits fulfillment.\nAttends and participates in all major special events including but not limited to: Magic of the Jack O Lanterns, Summer Events, and Hudson Holidays.\nAssists with preparing, enforcing, maintaining, and modifying policies and procedures manuals; conducts periodic staff meetings to provide and gather information, answer questions and responds to complaints and concerns, both internally and externally.\nResponds tactfully, respectfully and in a timely manner to inquiries and problems in person, through email, phone and mail by providing helpful information and explanations in-line with District policies and procedures. Thoughtfully handles confrontational or stressful interactions.\nAssists with preparation and monitoring of the budget, managing revenues and expenditures, and preparing financial reports. Monitors the retail purchasing budget, sales performance, and revenue goals. Prepares purchase orders, RFPs, and invoice requests. Prepares short- and long-range revenue/expenditure projections and monitors revenue streams. Develops and implements strategies to increase usage of assigned areas and retail revenue. Calculates program fees to meet cost recovery goals. Formulates comprehensive business plans by researching and analyzing market information.\nEnsures compliance with cash handling, check cashing, and credit policies by all guest services staff.\nAssists with the development, implementation, and tracking of marketing strategies. Works with Communications staff to promote community awareness of the Gift Shop, featured merchandise, seasonal assortments, sales, and promotions, and evaluates customer satisfaction.\nAdheres to all safety policies and procedures.\nMaintains records and generates reports as directed, including but not limited to weekly/monthly reports, monthly benchmarks, grant requirements, payroll documentation, incident/accident reports and personnel evaluations according to District procedures in a timely manner.\nDevelops and maintains professional relationships with District employees, vendors, various outside user groups and associations to coordinate their programs and special events.\nAttends and participates in trade shows, markets, buying appointments, and professional group meetings; maintains awareness of emerging retail, gift, tourism, and consumer trends; and applies relevant trends and innovations to merchandise selection and retail services.\nAttends and participates in staff meetings, training, and orientations.\nAttends work on a regular, reliable and punctual basis.\nMay be required to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and some holidays.\nPlans and executes store layouts, product placement, displays, and seasonal transitions that showcase merchandise, complement the setting and visitor experience at Hudson Gardens, and encourage purchases. Regularly refreshes visual merchandising based on seasons, events, inventory levels, customer interests, and sales performance.\n\nThis job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position. Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.\nEducation and/or Experience:\n\nAssociate's Degree in Retail Management or related field. Bachelor's degree preferred.\nOne (1) year of progressively responsible experience working in retail merchandising, merchandise buying, or retail management, including experience with seasonal purchasing, vendor relations, inventory management, visual merchandising, and point-of sale or inventory systems. Two (2) years' experience preferred.\nPrevious supervisory experience preferred.\nAny combination of experience, training and education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position may be considered.\n\nLicenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:\n\nMust possess a valid Colorado Driver License or obtain upon hire and maintain an acceptable driving record.\n\nNecessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:\n\nGeneral knowledge of retail merchandising and specialty retail practices, including product sourcing, assortment planning, seasonal and advanced purchasing, vendor management, pricing, margin management, inventory control, sell-through analysis, trend evaluation, visual merchandising, and customer service.\nGeneral knowledge of cash management, point-of-sale system operation, budgeting and revenue goal-setting practices, and effective resource management.\nBasic math skills (adding, subtracting, dividing, multiplying, and calculating percentages).\nAbility to use customers interests, sales performance, market trends, and sound professional judgement to make purchasing and merchandising decisions that balance revenue, margin, cash flow, storage capacity, and inventory.\nAbility to build and maintain productive vendor relationships, negotiate favorable purchasing terms, and select merchandise appropriate for Hudson Gardens' guests and visitor experience.\nKnowledge of modern office procedures, methods and general office equipment (computer, copier, fax, telephone, etc.).\nAbility to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands, and deal with frequent change or unexpected events.\nAbility to multitask, prioritize, and organize workload of self and supervised staff.\nExcellent problem-solving skills to analyze complex problems and implement appropriate corrective actions.\nMust have excellent communication skills, both written and oral.\nMust be able to supervise, coach and evaluate staff.\nWorking knowledge of Microsoft Office software including Excel, Word, and Outlook.\nMust be highly motivated and take direction well.\nAbility to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high-volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.\nExcellent interpersonal skills with the ability to provide outstanding customer service, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and interact with others in a professional manner.\nAbility to work a varied schedule which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.\n\nMaterial and Equipment Used:\n\nRegularly uses standard office equipment including a personal computer, phone, printer, and copier.\nThis position may be required to drive a personal and/or District motor vehicle to various District and off-site facilities.\n\nWorking Environment:\n\nPrimarily works in a busy welcome center/gift shop and office environment subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.\n\nPhysical Requirements:\n\nStand, walk, and/or sit for long periods of time.\nOccasional physical work lifting up to 50 pounds.\nOccasionally required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.\nFrequent hand/eye coordination to operate personal computer and office equipment.\nVision for reading, recording and interpreting information. Vision acuity to see close-up and at a distance with the ability to adjust focus allowing a broad field of vision.\nSpeech communication and hearing to maintain clear and effective communication. Must understand and be understood.\n\nThis list is not all-inclusive and represents examples of the work environment and physical demands.\nSouth Suburban Park & Recreation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.\nWe've Got You Covered!\nSouth Suburban Offers:\n\nCompetitive medical, dental and vision plans\nDisability and life insurance\nFlexible spending accounts (FSA's)\n\nHappy Employees Are the Best Employees\n\nSouth Suburban provides an employee assistance program at no cost that includes: counseling, financial planning, legal assistance, and much more!\nOur Employee Wellness Program gives covered staff the ability to reduce their medical premium by $390 annually\n\nTake Time Away to Do What You Enjoy\n\n10 paid holidays per year\n4 personal days per year\nEarn 11.5 paid vacation days per year\nPaid sick leave to rest, recover, and take care of yourself\n\nWe've Got Your Back \n\nUp to 9% 401(a) Employer contribution/match that vest after 3 years of service\nTrainings to grow your professional and personal skill set\nTuition Reimbursement Program that covers up to $2,500 per year\n\nPlay Where You Work\n\nEmployee engagement is a priority at South Suburban. Staff gatherings have included: pictures with the Stanley Cup, Chili Cook-Off, Ice Cream Social, Shuffleboard Tournament, Employee Appreciation Luncheon, just to name a few\nMonthly wellness challenge opportunities and staff recognition honors\n\nWe LOVE Our Facilities and So Will You:\n\nFree daily admission to recreation centers, tennis courts, ice rinks and swimming pools\n50% off food at South Suburban restaurants\n$5 to $10 for nine holes of golf at four different courses\n\nSSPRD offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including but not limited to: Medical/Dental/Vision. For a more detailed overview please view the Benefits Guide for Full-Time Employees\nAbout Us\nOur mission is to foster healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space by providing recreational services and programs.\nWe serve residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Centennial west of I-25, Littleton, Lone Tree and Sheridan and unincorporated portions of Douglas, Jefferson and Arapahoe counties. We operate four full-service recreation centers, golf courses, outdoor pools and restaurants, two ice centers and miniature golf courses, a botanical garden event center, a BMX track, a sports dome, batting cages, an entertainment center, a hotel and a nature center. In addition, we maintain nearly 3,800 acres of developed and open space land, including 119 multi-purpose athletic fields, more than 100 parks, nearly 80 miles of trails, 60 playgrounds, 56 tennis courts, and the 880-acre South Platte Park.