Assistant Book Buyer (New Books)

The Assistant Book Buyer has primary responsibility for ordering and maintaining the store’s backlist book inventory, and for placing daily Ingram orders to ensure that customer special orders come in promptly and that the store does not run low on its bestselling titles. The position requires an evolving mastery of detailed information about the terms and delivery times for a broad array of suppliers including wholesalers, corporate publishers, and small and independent publishing houseS. The Assistant Book Buyer will also work on the sales floor in order to provide customer service as needed and to maintain familiarity with the store and its customers, and which titles are selling. This is not an entry-level bookstore position. The ideal candidate will have prior experience with ordering books and with one of the major bookstore POS systems, preferably Anthology. They will also hold a certification from the Professional Booksellers School in Inventory Management

Daily Activities:

• Creating a daily distributor order based on customer special orders and other inventory needs
• Creating, reviewing, and placing publisher purchase orders in order to maintain desired inventory levels of backlist and current bestselling stock
• Assisting the Events staff to make timely event orders
• Maintaining database of sales rep contacts and staying current on special terms when they are offered
• Training and working as a bookseller for regular shifts to maintain familiarity with the store and our customers

Requirements:
· Prior experience ordering backlist at a bookstore
· Love of books and love of talking about books
· Positive attitude: Friendly, approachable, professional, collaborative, oriented toward problem-solving and brainstorming.
· Ability to master POS system and other programs we depend on to keep the store functioning.
· Ability to lift 40 lbs. boxes.
· Willingness to commit to a regular permanent work schedule (i.e. we cannot accommodate seasonally changing student schedules and vacations)
· Availability to work at least one weekend day.
· Availability to work some later hours, for events and on a regular basis during the part of the year when the store stays open later.
· A high level of organization,
· A high level of interpersonal skill and the ability to collaborate well with others.
· A creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial approach to problem solving

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $19.00 per hour

Expected hours: 32 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Evanston, IL 60201: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person