Sr. Retail Buyer

Job Description

Job Description

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.  

Reporting to the Director of Retail & Product Licensing, the Senior Retail Buyer leads the merchandising and category buying strategy for a curated retail experience that reflects the Museum’s mission, exhibitions, collections, and storytelling approach. 

This role is responsible for shaping curated assortments and category strategies, identifying and negotiating with vendors, overseeing licensing and product development initiatives, and ensuring timely procurement and delivery of goods. The Sr. Retail Buyer uses customer insights, sales, margin, and inventory performance to guide category decisions, refine product mix, and optimize the visitor's shopping experience. Working cross-functionally with Curatorial, Marketing, Finance, and Retail teams, this role creates compelling product stories and mission-aligned assortments that support revenue goals and deepen audience engagement. 

• Partner with Retail, Revenue & Engagement, and E-Commerce leadership to execute buying strategies for online and onsite stores 

• Develop category plans, assortments, pricing, and inventory strategies aligned with audience, exhibition, and revenue goals. 

• Lead product development, sourcing, licensing, and exclusive merchandise initiatives that support the Museum’s brand and mission. 

• Manage vendor relationships, negotiations, purchase orders, deliveries, and supply continuity. 

• Analyze sales, inventory, margins, and customer trends to optimize assortment performance and profitability. 

• Lead forecasting, replenishment, open-to-buy planning, and inventory management. 

• Align product launches with exhibitions, seasonal campaigns, and key Museum events. 

• Identify new product categories, vendor partnerships, and growth opportunities to enhance the visitor experience. 

• Prepare business reports, forecasts, and insights to support strategic retail planning. 

• Collaborate with Marketing, Creative, and Retail teams on product launches, promotions, merchandising, and storytelling across store channels. 

• Provide merchandising guidance, product knowledge, and assortment direction to support store readiness and sales performance. 

• High School Diploma or GED required; bachelor’s degree in business, Merchandising, Retail Management, Economics, Marketing, or a related field preferred. 

• 7+ years of progressive experience in retail buying, category management, merchandising, or product development, preferably within museum retail, specialty retail, lifestyle brands, cultural institutions, or other curated retail environments. 

• Proven success developing and managing category strategies, curated assortments, pricing, inventory investments, open-to-buy plans, and vendor partnerships that drive sales, margin, and inventory productivity. 

• Demonstrated experience sourcing products, negotiating commercial terms, managing vendor relationships, and overseeing the product lifecycle from concept through execution. 

• Strong understanding of merchandise planning, forecasting, inventory management, replenishment, and retail performance metrics, including sales, gross margin, inventory turns, and GMROI. 

• Experience with product development, licensing, branded merchandise, and intellectual property considerations. 

• Ability to analyze sales trends, customer insights, and market data to make strategic buying decisions and identify growth opportunities. 

• Excellent communication, negotiation, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills. 

• Proficiency with retail planning, inventory management, and reporting systems; advanced Excel and data analysis skills preferred. 

• Passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences through thoughtfully curated merchandise assortments. 

• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) and creating welcoming experiences for all guests and team members. 

• Passion for supporting efficient retail operations that align with the Museum’s mission, brand, and values 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

• This role is performed primarily in a public-facing museum retail environment with frequent interaction with visitors, staff, vendors, and other museum departments. 

• The retail space may be active and fast-paced, particularly during weekends, holidays, exhibitions, programs, and special events. 

• May require early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time during scheduled shifts. 

• Ability to lift, carry, unpack, and restock merchandise up to 30 pounds. 

• Ability to bend, reach, climb step stools as needed, and perform repetitive motions associated with POS operation, packaging, tagging, and merchandising. 

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. 

Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision. 

Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible. 

Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders. 

Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity. 

Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB 

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged. 

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

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MISSION AND VISION

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is dedicated to the art of illustrated stories. Our mission is to inspire and connect people through the exploration of visual stories and their influences in society. 

VALUES

Our internal and external practices are shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

People First : We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what they find emotional in works of art.

Inspired: We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

Collaborative: We believe that nimble thinking and working together yield exponential results.  

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Narrative Art:

Amplify the social impact of storytelling and illustration. 

Community:

Connect to a broad and diverse public.

Operational Excellence:

Create a healthy and durable institution. 

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).