Joseph-Beth Booksellers

Would you like to work for one of the largest independent booksellers in the United States? Joseph-Beth Booksellers is looking for a professional, energetic and experienced General Manager to help lead our store.

Company Overview: Joseph Beth is a specialty retailer focused on providing our customers an engaging and memorable experience. We offer customers a number of different product items from books, gifts and greeting cards, to magazines, newspapers, toys and a full service restaurant experience.

Job Description

As a General Manager you will provide leadership and create and drive a strategy for your store to support our company vision and mission. You are responsible for all aspects of store operations including talent management, customer service and sales/profitability generation. Outstanding leadership, communication and the ability to drive results are essential for top performers in this role. GMs also set the standard in our stores by providing engaging customer service to both internal and external customers. In other words, our General Managers are charged with making our mission reality in their stores.

Your key areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee all facets of store operations
• Lead and develop a team who consistently drive sales/profitability and maintain an environment where customers enjoy a rich shopping experience
• Consistently execute company initiatives to drive business
• Proactively recruit, select and retain top talent
• Encourage ideas, participation and a culture of openness in the store
• Promote an environment where spirited, enthusiastic and self-motivated people want to work
• Ensure that all internal and external customer service standards are consistently met
• Drive sales and use financial management tools to ensure that sales, profitability and productivity goals are met within the store
• Work with store team to create and implement a strategic plan for the store
• Ensure that all associates are trained, developed and that succession plans are in place
• Create and implement open and effective lines of communication
• ­Oversee merchandise and inventory management systems
• Analyze data and information.
• Develop and implement action plans to address the trends and opportunities in an ever-changing retail environment
• Support and maintain company business standards and compliance of company policy and procedures
• Ensure support of corporate sales and execution of corporate orders
• Ensure effective evaluating, scheduling and coordinating of in-store events in order to drive sales. Events may include: story times, music performances and local author and artist signing events
• Ensure support of national events in conjunction with marketing team
• Create and maintain partnerships as it relates to community events and outreach
• Ensure that all store administrative functions are carried out quickly and efficiently
• Ensure that safety standards of the store are met

Qualifications

A General Manager needs:

• Knowledge, passion and/or affinity for books and gift
• At least 2-3 years of experience managing a medium to large or multi-unit retail environment with at least $5 million in volume, preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Liberal Arts, preferred
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to set realistic but challenging goals and establish performance standards
• A consistent record of meeting sales, profitability, customer service and operations objectives
• Proven ability to influence others, instill accountability and achieve results.
• The ability to think creatively and take calculated risks that benefit the organization
• Solid planning skills and the ability to take a proactive approach to problem solving
• Strong business acumen, including proven ability to develop business plans and communicate financial data
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with an emphasis on building partnerships, managing conflict and leading others through change
• A proactive approach to finding, selecting and retaining top talent. Specific experience recruiting and selecting high performing teams
• Ability to create a spirited work environment that encourages the sharing of ideas
• The ability to effectively train and develop employees. Experience developing direct reports who have successfully taken on greater responsibility
• The ability to create an environment where performance is quickly and appropriately addressed
• Prior success creating an environment where communication flows upward and downward appropriately
• Strong detail orientation, organizational and time management skills
• Ability to handle pressure, work in a fast paced environment and work long hours when necessary
• Ability to travel occasionally for various meetings, conferences, training etc.
• Demonstrated expertise in merchandising skills
• Computer knowledge and experience using a MS Windows environment
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• A smart appearance and professional manner

Compensation

• Base Salary with bonus potential
• Paid Relocation Assistance

Joseph-Beth Booksellers is an independent bookseller with two stores in the United States: Cincinnati, OH and Lexington, KY.