Careers

Culinary Retail Associate

Part-Time | $23–$26/hr DOE | Starts Mid-October | Belltown, Seattle

Mixed Pantry is an independent Asian specialty food store focused on culinary discovery, community, and thoughtfully selected Asian and AAPI-owned brands. We are looking for a warm, curious, and dependable Culinary Retail Associate to join our team in an ongoing part-time role.

Timing & Schedule

  • Position starts in mid-October 2026.
  • Weekends required; One additional weekday preferred

Ideal Candidate

  • Home Cook: You cook regularly at home and enjoy experimenting with new ingredients and flavors. You can turn your product knowledge into simple, practical cooking or gifting suggestions.
  • Bridge Builder: You genuinely enjoy talking with people, getting to know regular customers, and helping someone find the right product. You are excited to learn about the products, founders, and stories behind the brands we carry.
  • Self-Starter: You are professional, emotionally mature, self-motivated, and comfortable working independently or as part of a small team. You notice what needs to be done and take initiative without constant direction.
  • Long-Term Teammate: You are interested in growing with a small business and becoming a trusted steward of the store, its customers, and the brands we represent.
  • Service Experience: At least 1 year of retail, hospitality, food service, or other customer-facing experience is required.

Core Responsibilities

  • Customer & Product Guidance: Welcome customers, offer samples and tasting sessions, answer questions, and provide thoughtful product, cooking, and gift recommendations.
  • Retail Operations: Operate the register, carefully bag purchases, and support opening, closing, tastings, events, and other daily store operations.
  • Inventory Management: Receive inventory, restock shelves, maintain displays, support inventory counts, and carefully pack online orders.
  • Store Care: Keep the sales floor, backroom, bathroom, and other store areas clean and organized. Help maintain a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for customers and coworkers.
  • Product Knowledge: Develop a strong understanding of the flavor profiles, uses, cultural context, founders, and stories behind the products and brands we carry.

Requirements

  • Regular weekend availability required.
  • The role starts in mid-October at 10-15 hours per week during the first four weeks of training, increasing to 20-25 hours per week once fully trained and based on store needs, performance, and mutual interest.
  • Comfortable opening or closing the store in Belltown and working independently after completing training.
  • Able to stand for extended periods and lift and carry boxes weighing up to 25 pounds.
  • Able to obtain and maintain a Washington State Food Worker Card.
  • Comfortable using a phone or computer for scheduling and team communication.

This is an ongoing, hands-on role in a small physical store. As Mixed Pantry grows, there may be opportunities for additional hours and other responsibilities based on store needs, performance, and mutual interest.

To apply, please send an email to hello@mixedpantry.market with the subject line: “Culinary Retail Associate.” Please include your resume and a short introduction telling us why Mixed Pantry interests you, what you enjoy cooking at home, and your availability during the holiday season.