Buyer
About The Position
ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART Opening in September 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to illustrated storytelling. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judith F. Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb; and photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange. The Museum also houses the Lucas Archives, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career. Designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with a landscape by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA, the Museum is in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, on an 11-acre campus that includes new green space and a 300,000-square-foot building with galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces. POSITION SUMMARY The Lucas Museum seeks a highly motivated Buyer to join the Revenue & En gagement team in support of the opening and ongoing operations of the Museum’s retail store. Reporting to the Director of Retail & Product Licensing, this role will lead the sourcing, development, and procurement of merchandise that reflects the Museum’s mission, exhibitions, and storytelling approach. The Buyer will support the identification and evaluation of vendors, support licensing and product development initiatives, and ensure timely procurement and delivery of goods. This role will also leverage sales and inventory insights to inform buying decisions, optimize product assortment, and support overall retail performance. The Buyer will partner cross-functionally with Curatorial, Marketing, and Retail teams to create a compelling and cohesive visitor experience.
Requirements
- Background in business administration, economics, or related field preferred
- 5 + years of experience in a purchasing role, preferably for an arts & cultural institution or prominent consumer brand
- Knowledge of intellectual property principles as it relates to retail inventory management
- Comprehensive knowledge of commodities
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Responsibilities
- Retail Strategy Partner with the Director of Retail & Product and Revenue & Engagement team to support the launch of the Museum’s retail store, including licensing strategy, vendor onboarding, & contributing to development of standard operating procedures
- Collaborate with Curatorial and internal stakeholders to identify product development opportunities tied to exhibitions and collections
- Buying & Product Development Develop exclusive, mission-aligned products in collaboration with internal teams, ensuring accuracy, quality, and integrity of source materials
- As directed by the Director of Retail, support supplier selection and negotiation processes, including product, pricing, and terms evaluation
- Support development of unique product assortment strategies, including category mix, pricing architecture, and buy quantities
- Source and purchase merchandise that complements exhibitions, programs, and the Museum’s collection
- Serve as a key point of contact for product development, licensing, and branded merchandise initiatives, including familiarity with contracts and licensing requirements
- Identify and explore new product categories to enhance the retail offering and visitor experience
- Inventory, Planning & Performance Ensure timely ordering, delivery, payment and issue resolution with vendors
- Analyze sales performance, inventory levels, and product trends to inform buying decisions and optimize assortment to maximize profit
- Support forecasting and replenishment decisions by identifying high-performing items and potential stock risks
- Monitor inventory flow and timing to align with exhibition openings, seasonal changes, and key Museum events
- Identify risks and opportunities in sales and inventory performance and recommend adjustments to buying strategy
- Generate reports and insights to support Revenue & Engagement leadership in decision-making
- Vendor & Relationship Management Support Retail leadership with sourcing, evaluating, and onboarding vendors, wholesalers, and licensing partners aligned with the Museum’s brand and mission
- Support Retail leadership with i dentif ication and onboard ing of new and diverse suppliers to expand product offerings
- Establish and cultivate relationships with vendors and licensing partners to support long-term retail growth
- Merchandising & Cross-Functional Collaboration Stay informed on retail and museum merchandising trends through research, trade events, and industry engagement
- Partner with Retail and Marketing teams to support product launches, promotions, and campaigns tied to exhibitions and seasonal programming
- Collaborate with creative partners to ensure high-quality product imagery and storytelling for in-store and digital channels
- Communicate product knowledge and merchandising direction to store teams to support visual presentation and sales
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
