Retail Manager

White Desert Antarctica pioneers luxury polar travel, delivering unparalleled expeditions to the pristine Antarctic interior. Operating private flights from Cape Town, we offer access to one of the most remote regions on Earth through our exclusive camps.

Our experiences combine extraordinary adventure with world-class hospitality, each journey carefully crafted to be seamless, highly personalised, and transformative for a global clientele of discerning explorers.

Role Summary

The Retail Manager will oversee & own the day-to-day operations of the brand’s exclusive online & seasonal in-store boutique, ensuring smooth coordination between inventory, guest orders, and expedition departures.

The role includes managing incoming stock and supplier deliveries, maintaining accurate inventory levels, and conducting regular stock takes.

The Retail Manager will process and fulfil guest orders, often created as pre-orders or draft orders ahead of travel, ensuring purchases are correctly linked to each guest and their departure date.

Responsibilities include: packing and preparing orders for guest handover, managing returns, refunds, and discounts, and maintaining a high level of guest-facing service when distributing items in person.

In addition, the role requires generating sales and inventory reports from the e-commerce system to monitor product performance, track boutique revenue, and ensure stock availability aligns with upcoming expeditions.

This position will report both to the Managing Executive: Commercial & Experience and our Head of Retail consultant who is responsible for concept and product development, and work closely with the Head of Guest Experience.

Key Responsibilities

1) Inventory & Supplier Management

• Ensure boutique inventory is accurate, available, and aligned with upcoming guest departures.
• Manage incoming stock deliveries from suppliers and verify quantities against purchase orders
• Inspect product quality & quantities and report discrepancies or damages
• Maintain accurate stock levels in the e-commerce system (Shopify)
• Conduct regular stock takes and reconcile system variances
• Manage stock adjustments and product allocations

2) Guest Order Management

• Consult with guests on video calls explaining items, creating carts in months leading up to season
• Ensure items ordered are appropriate for the guest’s expedition requirements
• Monitor and process orders placed via the online boutique
• Link each order to the relevant guest profile and departure date
• Coordinate order readiness based on guest arrival time

3) Order Fulfilment & Dispatch

• Pick and pack guest orders according to system records
• Verify order accuracy before handover
• Prepare orders for guest arrival at the departure location or hotel
• Coordinate delivery logistics where required

4) Returns, Refunds & Adjustments

• Process refunds and exchanges accordingly, and manage any changes needed on the order
• Manage return logistics and inventory reintegration
• Apply and manage approved discounts within the system

5) Guest Interaction & Boutique Experience

• Meet guests on-site and hand over pre-ordered boutique items
• Assist guests with sizing, exchanges or last-minute purchases
• Represent the brand in a polished, guest-facing capacity
• Monitor and maintain the space making sure it is clean, neat, re-stocked and well functioning
• Manage support staff assisting guests with shopping experience

6) Reporting & Sales Insights

• Generate regular sales reports from Shopify, including draft orders, completed orders, and pre-orders linked to upcoming guest departures
• Track purchasing trends across seasons to identify high-demand products
• Monitor product performance and flag low-stock or fast-selling items ahead of guest travel dates
• Analyse order patterns related to specific departures to ensure inventory aligns with upcoming guest numbers Provide periodic reports to management on boutique performance, revenue contribution, and stock movement
• Maintain oversight of draft orders created for guests prior to travel and ensure they convert to completed orders where required

• 5+ Years of experience in high-end hospitality or high-end exclusive retail
• Shopify+ Experience
• Fluent in English
• Own vehicle and Valid Driver’s License
• E-commerce Fulfilment Management
• Boutique Store Management

• Extremely organised and detail-oriented
• Strong inventory and stock management experience
• Comfortable with e-commerce systems (Shopify - Admin management & POS)
• Ability to collaborate with various teams such as:
  • Merchandise & Planning for new stock inflows
  • Warehouse teams for stock storage & inventory management
  • Finance for financial records, writing off of orders, and discounts
  • Highly reliable and admin-focused
  • Polished presentation and communication skills suitable for luxury guests (English speaking)
• Calm and solutions-driven when handling requests or changes

To apply for the role, please send your CV to ***email_hidden*** with the position in the subject line.