Buyer

Los Angeles,Los AngelesFull-timemid

BuyerProcurement & Purchasing

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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,

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BuyerProcurement & Purchasing

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. 

The Lucas Museum seeks a highly motivated Buyer to join the Revenue & Engagement 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.

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

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

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

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 identification and onboarding of new and diverse suppliers to expand product offerings

Establish and cultivate relationships with vendors and licensing partners to support long-term retail growth

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

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

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.