Retail Operations Associate (Full time 40hrs/wk)

National Geographic • Washington, DC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. Components of the new guest experience will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard. How You’ll Contribute Job Description Summary The Retail Operations Associate assists in the fulfillment and logistics of the merchandise receiving process from site delivery to placing merchandise on the shop shelves. The Retail Warehouse Associate is responsible for inspecting merchandise for defects or damages and maintains the cleanliness and functionality of the warehouse environment. The Retail Warehouse Associate reports to the Sr. Manager, Retail Operations and operates within the Hospitality and Retail team for the Museum of Exploration. We are seeking a team member who values interoperability and is ready to jump in and support colleagues across different projects when needed. At the Museum of Exploration, we believe that our greatest successes come from shared expertise and a willingness to step outside of a single role. This isn't just a part of the job; it's a core aspect of how we operate and collaborate, reflecting the spirit of partnership that defines National Geographic's culture. The start date for the position is March 30, 2026.

Requirements

• High School Diploma preferred
• Minimum Years and Experience 0–1-year experience in a retail warehouse setting preferably in a museum or visitor attraction
• Experience in a visitor attraction or museum retail shop or warehouse
• Attention to detail
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work in a team or group to accomplish a task
• Be able to repetitively lift 50 lbs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workplace tools

Nice To Haves

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
• Proactive customer service mindset
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed
• Collaboration and Teamwork Support various teams as needed, providing cross-trained coverage for breaks, absences, or high volume.
• Assist with general museum tasks such as maintaining public spaces, providing basic visitor assistance, and helping with event setup/breakdown.

Responsibilities

• Merchandise Processing (50%): Process incoming shipments, including unboxing, counting, labeling, and preparing merchandise for the store shelf
• Utilize the Retail POS to create and execute product transfers to the Museum of Exploration Shop
• Deliver product to museum shop and assist with placing on shop shelves
• Maintain an organized and orderly environment for ease of navigation and execution of receiving and re-stocking procedures
• Perform monthly cycle counts, inventory spot checks, and participate in annual inventory process
• Product Inspection & Quality Assurance (20%): Review incoming shipments for accuracy of delivery quantities, artwork match to purchase orders, and verification against packing slips
• Route damaged or low quality products to Supervisor for vendor chargeback processing
• Completion of damage process for products damaged after arrival
• Customer Service (20%): Ability to support the Museum of Exploration Shop for re-stocking, merchandising, and customer support
• Support seasonal Pop-up retail shops and event strategy including setup and breakdown
• Logistics Support (10%): Pick, pull, and pack National Geographic Live merchandise shipments for external consignment events
• Process National Geographic Live returns including; verifying merchandise quantities, returning items to the warehouse shelves, and delivery paperwork to Retail Warehouse Supervisor.

Benefits

• The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package.
• Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.
• The hourly rate for this position is $20.65.
• Employees in positions who are assigned to a shift that starts or ends between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. are entitled to shift differential pay of 10% of base pay for the hours worked between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED