Hope Geneva Bookstore - Junior Buyer

Position Information

Position Title
Hope Geneva Bookstore - Junior Buyer

Classification Title
Hourly Part Time (.5-.74 FTE)

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligibility

Department
Hope Geneva Bookstore

Job Description

The Junior Buyer role supports the Bookstore buying team to procure retail items and coordinate activities involved with purchasing products and supplies focused on store needs. Junior Buyers assist in researching all the latest retail trends and customer needs in order to find possible new product offerings while continuing to make sure that product supply is uninterrupted through inventory control, vendor communication, adjusting of ordering cycles, and proper ordering procedures. Junior Buyers work with our Bookstore buyers to determine where to buy local to save cost and increase margins. Junior Buyers work with several diverse vendors to choose the best product mix, both in-store and online.


Essential Job Functions for the Junior Buyer include, but are not limited to, the following:


Planning- Overall Strategy and Growth

• Works with Bookstore buyers to create annual merchandise assortment plans by quarter, and adheres to purchasing budgets.
• Analyzes vendor, product, and total category performance. Ensures the highest quality, lowest overall cost, and the highest value for dollars spent. Uses learnings to make future decisions more effectively.
• Interacting with sales staff on a daily basis for product pricing, expediting, and analysis.
  
  

Driving- Events and promotions

• Executes promotional plans and strategies, then works with vendors based on cost negotiations, pricing strategy, review of new product and development of exclusives.
• Assists operation during all special events, and uses them as diverse focus groups to collect information for future store needs.
• Focuses on current retail/merchandising trends. Creatively developing new products to keep the store new and fresh while still maintaining the brand image.
• Works independently and completes special sourcing projects for store and web promotions.

Executing- Purchasing and Vendor Relations

• Responsible for ensuring vendor communication and vendor performance adheres to operations requirements.
• Proactively communicates with staff and suppliers regarding agreements, PO’s, ordering, pricing, service level

compliance, product availability, policy/guidelines and resolving related purchasing issues. Reconciles invoices to purchase orders to ensure correct pricing/quantity. Resolve disputes between the store and vendors regarding service, cost, and delivery, as necessary.

• Processes and administers purchase orders via the procurement system including price negotiations, managing inquiries, expediting, and status reviews.

Follow up- Continuous Improvement

• Open and close the store as scheduled. Responsible for general maintenance and merchandising of the sales floor, including customer service, stocking, visual presentations, and driving overall store sales with the objective of increasing revenue.
• Development of student staff. Encourage, teach and support the student workers and supervisors while modeling and promoting stellar customer service and work ethic.
• Drive continuous improvement of all processes related to purchasing.
• Focused on diversity and inclusion, and how we can cultivate an environment of belonging for all of our staff and shoppers.
• Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as needed for the business and directed by their leader.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Retail experience and procurement/buying experience preferred
• High Level of interpersonal skills to work well with a diverse group of team members, customers, and suppliers
• Ability to connect with different customer demographics, and build sales strategies to meet diverse customer needs.
• Driven organizational and time-management skills with ability to multitask.
• Thrives in a fast paced environment and meets all deadlines required.
• Experience with vendor negotiations
• Computer skills should include: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite products

Physical Demands

This position requires remaining in a sitting or standing position for frequent periods of time; uses office machinery such as a computers, printers, copy machines; Occasionally involves moving items over 10 pounds; frequently will move between different offices/workspaces/buildings; and requires effective communication abilities. In the case of temporary or permanent condition(s) that require(s) accommodation(s), reasonable accommodation(s) may be requested.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
2022-133SR

Job Posting Open Date
03/16/2023

Job Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Is this position available for sponsorship
No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter