The Hub City Writers Project is hiring for the position of Bookstore Manager of its award-winning Hub City Bookshop. This is a great opportunity to play a central role in the operations of this downtown community nonprofit bookstore that has twice been named one of the "South's Best Bookstores" by Southern Living magazine and was named Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance "Bookstore of the Year in 2019."
The Hub City Writers Project is a dynamic literary arts organization whose mission it is to "Cultivate readers and nurture writers." In addition to the bookshop, the organization boasts an award-winning independent press, and conducts educational programming for writers and community outreach to readers to expand its mission.
Job Description:
The Bookstore Manager manages the operation of the Hub City Bookshop; and supervises, trains, and evaluates bookstore staff and volunteers. The Bookstore Manager performs assigned duties under the administrative direction of the Executive Director of Hub City Writers Project.
Central duties may include:
- Personnel management
- Create the weekly work schedules and coordinate time off requests
- Find coverage for staff and volunteers who call in sick or work when last-minute shortage cannot be filled another way
- Interview and hire new staff along with senior staff and board liaison
- Handle disciplinary issues and time-off requests along with senior staff and board liaison
- Review and revise procedures and policies along with senior staff and board liaison
- Plan and manage the maintenance of bookstore accounting records and processes
- Work with bookshop events coordinator/social media director to host and plan events
- Participate in weekly staff meeting
Operations management:
- Set "plan of day" and organize the floor and back room staff priorities
- Order printing and other operating supplies
- Oversee merchandising and cleanliness or the bookshop inside and see that equipment is in good repair
- Handle inventory control software/hardware issues in coordination with ED and IT support
- Conduct routine inventory assessment and resolve any discrepancies
- Work with Hub City Press staff to promote its titles through bookstore channels
- Supervise activities related to used book program
- Performs related duties as required or assigned
Customer Service:
- Handling customer service issues both in the store and online
- Ensure that staff complies with the store's established best practices
Other:
- Assist in planning occasional special events, including Independent Bookstore Day, Small Business Saturday, Reading Group Appreciation Night, the CWE Book Festival and other creative one-time partnerships
- Conduct phone and front desk bookselling
- General oversight of the operations, bringing issues to the attention of the ED on a timely basis
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- A high level or organization, especially when managing calendars, high volumes of email, and time sensitive tasks
- A high level of written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills
- A high level of ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage your time
- A high level of ability to collaborate with others, problem-solve, and maintain a positive communications style
- Comfort with having "hard conversations"
- Ability to empathize
- Ability to maintain a level-headed response to stress
- Fluency in MS excel and basic accounting principles preferred
- Fluencey in MS office suite
- Availability and willingness to work a mix of days, nights and weekends
- 1–3 years of retail management experience, 3 years or more of independent bookstore experience, or equivalent, relevant experience in the overall world of publishing
- Knowledge of Local First issues and ability to talk about and advocate for independent bookstores is preferred
- Access to a car is necessary
Salary is $36K–$40K (commensurate with experience) plus a non-taxable $3600 healthcare stipend. This is a full-time position.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates must apply by sending a complete packet of cover letter and resume with current contacts for three references to anne@hubcity.org with the words "Bookstore Manager" in the subject line. Cover letters, which must be no longer than two pages, should detail your qualifications for the position. Concise cover letters and resumes are encouraged. Be sure to send your materials to us as clearly labeled file attachements in Word or Adobe (.pdf) formats. No telephone inquiries. All questions and complete applications with current contact information for yourself should be addressed to anne@hubcity.org. We will not consider imcomplete submissions.
Timing:
The Hub City Writers Project will accept applications until August 5, 2020. We anticipate hiring for this position by August 12, 2020.