Careers
Join a team that is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of traditional craft culture in Japan.
Retail associate
POJ Studio is hiring retail staff for our Kyoto retail shop! Aiming to be the premier destination for quality Japanese crafts and home decor, superior service, and an elevated retail experience, we are looking for a professional, highly motivated retail associate who will act as a brand ambassador and reflect the company values.
Requirements
- Available for part-time work, primarily on the weekends
- Japanese and English proficiency
- Desire to work in a small-team environment
- Be interested in Japanese traditional crafts or design
- Have experience working in a retail environment
- Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Exceptional organization and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Be a self-starter with strong problem-solving skills
- Be a team player with a positive attitude and strong work ethic
- Make sound judgment calls in the best interest of the customer, business, and team
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE
Visual Merchandising & Marketing
- Visual merchandising and development of promotional materials and in-store displays
- Taking photos and preparing social media post drafts
- Planning and executing store events and workshops in collaboration with the team
- Proposing business strategies to attract new customers, expand traffic, and enhance profitability
- Maintaining knowledge of market and trends, sharing insights with the team
Customer Service & Operations
- Gaining expertise in traditional Japanese crafts to consult with VIP customers
- Sharing key learnings and opportunities with the team
- Managing store inventory and budgets, updating financial records
- Inventory management and tracking
- Customer data tracking to support growth and engagement strategies
- Preparing reports on buying trends, customer demographics, and questions
- Handling customer service-related emails and custom orders
- Ensuring top-tier customer service, aligning with the company’s core values
- Building lasting relationships through personalized service
- Assisting with retail workshops as necessary
Ready to apply? To apply for this position, send your resumé and a brief cover note to jeanne@pojstudio.com
Onsite Program & Operations Manager
POJ Studio is seeking a grounded, highly organized, and people-oriented Onsite Program & Operations Manager to support the daily running of our Ceramics Apprenticeship & Residency in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture.
You will serve as the on-the-ground lead, overseeing accommodation, daily operations, field trips, and participant support to ensure the program runs smoothly and with care. A strong interest in ceramics is essential; the role offers ongoing exposure to Japanese ceramic practice through close work with potters and studio environments. If you are organized, culturally sensitive, and comfortable balancing logistics with people, it would be great to hear from you.
Requirements
Program & Daily Operations
- Serve as the main point of contact for participants before and during the program
- Welcome participants onsite and support orientation
- Manage day-to-day operations of the Shigaraki ceramics apprenticeship during active sessions
- Coordinate daily schedules in close communication with assigned teachers and POJ HQ
- Ensure smooth delivery of field trips and other activities
- Anticipate issues and resolve them calmly and proactively
Accommodation & Site Management
- Oversee participant accommodation and shared living/working spaces
- Coordinate cleaning, basic maintenance, supplies, and house rules
- Ensure the residence remains safe, welcoming, and well-functioning throughout each program
Teacher, Partner & Field Coordination
- Act as the on-site liaison between participants, teachers, craftspeople, and POJ HQ
- Support teachers and artisans by managing logistics so they can focus on teaching and studio practice
- Coordinate and, where required, accompany field trips, including budgeting, transport, scheduling, host coordination, and participant support
- Ensure smooth time management and provide bilingual (Japanese / English) communication support as needed
Representation & Reporting
- Represent POJ Studio professionally and warmly onsite
- Maintain clear communication with POJ HQ (weekly check-ins, issue reporting)
- Contribute feedback after each program to improve future apprenticeships
Required Profile
- Bilingual: Fluent Japanese and English
- Highly reliable & organized: Comfortable managing schedules and logistics in rural settings
- Genuine interest in ceramics; prior exposure or study is welcome but not required
- People-centered: Calm, warm, and confident with international participants
- Culturally sensitive: Comfortable working with Japanese craftspeople and rural communities
- Adaptable: Able to respond gracefully to unexpected changes
- Professional presence: You represent POJ onsite—clarity, discretion, and care matter
- Experience in artist residencies, apprenticeship programs, cultural institutions, education, hospitality, or retreats is highly valued.
Contract, Compensation & Learning
- Contract-based with possibility of full-time (details to be discussed)
- Compensation commensurate with experience and scope of responsibilities
- Program-related expenses covered during active sessions
- Learning & Engagement in Ceramics: The role offers ongoing exposure to ceramic studios, kiln operations, and related field visits, with opportunities for informal learning through observation and continued involvement across residency cycles. Candidates with a genuine interest in pottery will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Shigaraki ware and techniques, supporting their ability to assist teachers more effectively. Subject to availability and agreed guidelines, studio facilities may be accessible for personal practice outside scheduled program hours.
Location & Schedule
- Onsite during POJ apprenticeship programs 3-4days (primarily rural Japan)
- Involvement before, during, and after each session (setup / wrap-up)
- Opportunity to support multiple POJ programs over time
To Apply
Please send a brief introduction (Japanese or English), relevant experience, and availability to: lauren@pojstudio.com
Part-Time Designer
POJ Studio is looking for a skilled and detail-oriented Part-Time Designer to support our projects across Japan and internationally.
This role supports design development, visualization, and project coordination, working closely with the POJ R&D + Interiors team on furniture and residential projects that integrate Japanese craft and materials.
Requirements
Key responsibilities include:
- Creating 3D models and visualizations for interiors, furniture, and architectural projects
- Supporting design development, layouts, and site drawings
- Preparing visuals and materials for client proposals and presentations
- Assisting with product integration and material studies
- Supporting site visits and coordination with craftspeople when needed.
You should be:
- Proficient in 3D modeling software (e.g., Rhino or similar)
- Skilled in design software (Adobe Creative Suite, CAD, or equivalent)
- Bilingual in Japanese and English (spoken; written is a plus)
- Hold a valid driver’s license in Japan
- Detail-oriented, reliable, and comfortable working independently
- Experience in interior design, architecture, spatial design, or related fields is preferred.
Location: Part-time / hybrid (Kyoto-based preferred; some travel required)
Contract: Part-time / contract (scope and hours to be discussed) with the potential to grow into a full-time position.
To apply: Please send a brief introduction, CV, and portfolio to lauren@pojstudio.com
About POJ Studio
POJ (Pieces of Japan) Studio is an online platform built to bridge the gap between Japanese artisans and those consumers with a yearning for the hand-crafted homewares they produce. POJ Studio collaborates closely with craftspeople throughout Japan, creating an online collection of beautifully-designed lifestyle goods, offered alongside the stories of their creators.
POJ Studio fosters a socially-responsible attitude towards the way we live by providing modern lifestyle products that last, are repairable and are created from sustainable materials in a way that encourages the revival of dying Japanese craft traditions. We do this by building an ecosystem that offers the craftspeople with whom we work a point of sale for their goods, whilst celebrating stories of their heritage and sustainability in the form of videos, interviews and photo essays that help to highlight the true dedication and skill of each artisan. This not only offers the consumer a deeper connection to POJ Studio products, but also an explanation into the quality and history that goes into creating each item that they carefully curate and produce.