Description

Are you a professional retail buyer who is passionate about design, storytelling, and Asian cultural connection?

The Asian Art Museum is seeking an Associate Buyer to join our Museum Store team—someone who brings not only retail buying expertise and creative vision, but also a strong understanding of Asian culture, the destination retail industry, and a deep interest in books, stationery, and fine paper products.

As part of a vibrant cultural institution that champions creativity, collaboration, inclusion, and innovation, you’ll work with a team dedicated to excellence in museum practice and the visitor experience. Together, we celebrate the art of discovery—both within our galleries and through the products that connect visitors to our mission and exhibitions.

In this role, the Associate Buyer will help shape the store’s retail identity by curating thoughtful merchandise that reflects the museum’s Asian cultural focus and appeals to a diverse, globally minded audience. You will:

• Source and purchase products from both established and emerging vendors, with a particular emphasis on Asian-inspired merchandise, books, and stationery that resonate with our exhibitions and educational goals.
• Develop exclusive in-house collections that highlight craftsmanship, storytelling, and design traditions from across Asia and beyond.
• Maintain strong vendor relationships while identifying new partners that align with the museum’s vision and the expectations of destination retail visitors.
• This is a dynamic opportunity for a motivated buying professional who thrives at the intersection of art, culture, and commerce, and who understands how meaningful products can extend the museum experience beyond the gallery spaces.

POSITION SUMMARY 

Under the direction of the Director of Retail Operations, the Associate Buyer, Museum Store, plays an active role in buying from outside vendors as well as developing in-house products. The Associate Buyer maintains products from long-standing vendors in addition to sourcing vendors for new merchandise. The Associate Buyer analyzes and reports on sales, margin, inventory levels, and visitor response to categories and vendors. The Associate Buyer replenishes and forecasts seasonal exhibition-related merchandise; tracks payback periods on inventory, and plans exit strategies for outdated merchandise. Additionally, they participate in the merchandising and marketing strategies, providing product and copy content for marketing materials.  

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS  

• Works with the Director of Retail Operations to develop and implement the museum's product development, buying, and retail sales strategies in alignment with the museum's mission and brand.
• Sources new product for seasonal highlights, special exhibitions, and basic merchandise categories. In consultation with the Director of Retail Operations, initiates relationships with new vendors.
• Works independently and with the Director of Retail Operations to select merchandise and plan assortments of both basic and seasonal/exhibition-related merchandise for both the store and web sales.
• As assigned by the Director of Retail Operations, takes lead buying responsibility for assigned product categories.
• Negotiates with vendors to achieve the best possible price (discounts) and terms (including dating, shipping/freight etc.), markdown money and co-op advertising.
• Meet or exceed revenue, SKU count, inventory, and margin goals.
• Prepare and match vendor invoices for accounting, resolves invoice discrepancies and support receiving of products when needed.
• Works with the Director of Retail Operations and colleagues to allocate open-to-buy inventory dollars between basic, seasonal, and exhibition related merchandise.
• Monitors sell-through of sell-through of seasonal and exhibition related merchandise; recommends markdowns, price and adjustments, and other exit strategies; analyzes, sales and inventory levels and monitors relative margin performance of all merchandise categories. 
• Works independently and with the Director of Retail Operations to develop products based on the museum's collection and special exhibitions.
• Ensures that merchandise assortments are bought efficiently in order to maximize sales and profitability and that they are aligned with the collection, exhibitions, and brand of the museum.
• Provide product knowledge material for Sales Associate training purposes.
• Maintains a regular presence in the museum store, leading by example to ensure that visitors experience a consistently high level of customer service and sales expertise.
• Working with the Store and Inventory Manager, assists in the day-to-day running of the retail store including training and supervision of volunteers. 

OTHER FUNCTIONS 

Provides miscellaneous administrative support to Director of Retail Operations as needed 
Performs other related duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree; major in Asian studies, art history, languages, or culture, or equivalent, desirable 
  Three (3) years of retail experience, including at least two (2) years as an assistant buyer, merchandise planner, or in a related merchandising role; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Previous museum or nonprofit experience preferred
• Solid computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Experience with computerized POS/inventory management systems is strongly preferred. Knowledge of RetailPro a plus
• Strong analytical and organizational skills; extremely detail-oriented, dependable, and conscientious
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiating skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; superb customer service skills
• Ability to accurately perform basic bookkeeping tasks; cash handling and reconciliation skills
• Ability to deal with museum staff, volunteers, vendors, and the general public in a courteous, helpful, and efficient manner; problem solve and exercise good judgment and diplomacy at all times; prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently; demonstrate integrity, flexibility, and initiative
• Ability to work weekend and some evening hours 
  

WORKING CONDITIONS 

Normal office, retail store, and stockroom environments. Weekend and evening hours. Involves lifting, moving, and stocking merchandise. Retail store work involves periods of extended standing and frequent ascending and descending stairs.  

COMPENSATION  

The Asian Art Museum is committed to practicing salary transparency. The hourly range for this position is $33.5606 - 40.3072/hr. This FLSA non-exempt opportunity includes a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:   

Fully covered medical, dental and vision insurance for employee 
12 paid holidays (2025) 
15 days of vacation 
12 days of sick leave 
Group retirement plan starting after one year of employment 
This position is represented by Local 1021, Service Employees International Union.     

New hires typically start at the beginning of the wage range.

OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITMENTS   

At the Asian Art Museum, we are dedicated to ideating, building, and holding ourselves accountable for Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion in everything we do. We strive to foster a culture of respect, belonging and inclusivity for all employees.
Our mission is to celebrate, preserve, and promote Asian and Asian American art and cultures for local and global audiences. We provide a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas, inviting collaboration, and fueling imagination to deepen understanding and empathy among people of all backgrounds.   

Diversity of thought and experience is essential to our mission, and we are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.   

WHAT'S NEXT?   

Apply online at https://about.asianart.org/careers/. Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable candidate experience is critical for us. Application materials will be screened in relation to the criteria described. Candidates deemed to be the most highly qualified will be invited to participate in the interview process. Our interview process tends to take about 4 weeks to complete but may fluctuate depending on the role. Appointment is subject to completion of a thorough background check process.   

The Asian Art Museum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories (arrest and criminal histories) consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.