Lead Retail Merchandise Operations for an Iconic Australian Organisation

Victoria Racing Club (VRC) is seeking a fixed term Merchandise Lead to drive the planning, execution and growth of our merchandise program across one of Australia's most recognised sporting and entertainment destinations.

This role is ideal for an experienced retail, merchandise, inventory or event operations professional who is passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences, leading high-performing teams, and ensuring seamless retail operations across major events including the Melbourne Cup Carnival and Cox Plate. This role combines hands-on operational execution with commercial and strategic oversight.

About the Role

Reporting to the Executive General Manager - Customer, you will lead the end-to-end merchandise function, ensuring the successful planning, delivery and optimisation of merchandise operations across race days, retail outlets, online channels and special events.

Working closely with teams across Customer, Events, Operations, Marketing and Commercial Partnerships, you will oversee inventory management, retail readiness, visual merchandising, online fulfilment and race day execution while identifying opportunities to enhance customer engagement and commercial performance.

Key Responsibilities

Merchandise Program Leadership

- Lead the planning and delivery of the VRC merchandise program across retail and online channels
- Drive operational excellence across merchandise stores, activations and event environments
- Manage inventory oversight, stock allocation and replenishment processes
- Ensure merchandise operations support strategic growth and commercial objectives
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, vendors and key stakeholders
- Identify opportunities to improve merchandise performance, customer experience and profitability

Retail Operations & Inventory Management

- Oversee day-to-day operations of merchandise retail outlets
- Manage stock allocation, replenishment and inventory tracking across multiple locations
- Monitor stock levels and product availability between race days and events
- Coordinate stock counts, reconciliation processes and inventory reporting




- Support merchandise movement between locations to maximise sales opportunities
- Ensure stores are fully stocked, organised and operationally ready

Online Store & Fulfilment

- Manage merchandise products across the online store platform
- Oversee online sales fulfilment, including packing, distribution and customer deliveries
- Ensure timely and accurate order processing for all online sales
- Monitor online merchandise performance and customer feedback
- Identify opportunities to enhance the online shopping experience

Race Day & Event Delivery

- Lead merchandise operations across all VRC race days and major events, including the Melbourne Cup Carnival
- Coordinate merchandise requirements for activations and events both at Flemington and external locations
- Support event setup and pack down, including retail outlet preparation and merchandising displays
- Ensure product availability and retail readiness across all event environments
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver seamless customer experiences

Visual Merchandising & Customer Experience

- Lead the execution of visual merchandising standards across all retail locations
- Monitor store presentation and ensure displays reflect brand standards
- Provide exceptional customer service and sales support
- Support customers with product enquiries and purchasing decisions
- Create engaging retail experiences that drive customer satisfaction and revenue outcomes

People Leadership & Team Performance

- Lead and support the casual merchandise team across race days and events
- Provide effective team briefings, coaching and operational direction
- Foster a collaborative, customer-focused and high-performing team culture
- Support workforce planning and resource allocation during peak event periods
- Drive team engagement and accountability to achieve operational and sales targets

What You’ll Bring

- Demonstrated experience in retail operations,



merchandise management, inventory control or a related field
- Experience managing merchandise programs across physical and/or online retail environments
- Strong understanding of stock management, replenishment and inventory processes
- Experience working with suppliers, fulfilment partners and retail stakeholders
- Sound commercial acumen with a focus on sales performance and customer outcomes
- Strong leadership skills and experience coordinating frontline or casual teams
- Proficiency using POS systems and retail management tools
- Excellent organisation and project management capabilities
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, event-driven environment
- A proactive, hands-on and solutions-focused approach

What’s on Offer

- Play a key role in delivering merchandise experiences for iconic events including the Melbourne Cup Carnival
- Lead and grow a highly visible retail function within one of Australia's most recognised brands
- Work in a fast-paced and exciting events environment
- Opportunity to influence commercial performance and customer experience outcomes
- Join a passionate, cooperative and high-performing team
- Build your career within a landmark sporting and entertainment organisation

Our Values

At VRC, our people are guided by shared values:

- Think VRC — We deliver with one purpose and plan as one team.
- Create Joy — We design experiences that bring joy to our members, customers and each other.
- Be Gutsy — We honour our heritage while being brave and curious about the future.
- F‑Learn — We learn from setbacks and treat them as opportunities for growth.
- Care Deeply — We genuinely care about our people, members, customers and community.

How to Apply

When submitting your application, please include your résumé and any other supporting documents.

You must have the legal right to work in Australia.

Appointment to the role is subject to meeting the Victoria Racing Club’s employment requirements, which may include (but are not limited to) reference checks, and a National Criminal History Check.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

📌 Merchandise Lead (Melbourne)
🏢 Victoria Racing Club
📍 Melbourne