Merritt Bookstore

Store Manager – Merritt Bookstore

Overview

The Store Manager oversees the daily operations of Merritt Bookstore, ensuring an efficient, welcoming, and profitable environment that reflects our values as a community-centered independent bookstore. This role balances operational oversight, staff leadership, inventory management, and event coordination--both in-store and offsite--while maintaining our signature aesthetic and customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

Store Operations

• Oversee all daily opening and closing procedures.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting shopping environment (including dusting, vacuuming, and tidying as needed).

• Delegate daily operational and housekeeping tasks appropriately among staff.

• Ensure all store signage is accurate, up-to-date, and reflects upcoming events or promotions.

Inventory & Merchandising

• Manage receiving and processing of all incoming merchandise.

• Supervise product placement, backstock organization, and restocking procedures.

• Maintain appealing, creative displays for books, toys, and gift items.

• Utilize Bookmanager (POS) to its full capacity--running reports, analyzing sales data, and tracking inventory performance.

• Communicate findings and recommendations to the owner to inform buying and sales strategies.

Staff & Human Resources

• Assist in hiring and onboarding new employees.

• Train and supervise staff in store procedures, customer service, and merchandising standards.

• Coordinate staff scheduling and delegate responsibilities efficiently.

• Monitor and support staff workflow and performance; provide constructive feedback.

• Work effectively with a diverse team, including motivated teenagers, fostering a positive and enjoyable work environment :) 

Events & Community Engagement

• In-Store Events:

  • Organize and execute author signings, readings, and community gatherings.

  • Ensure appropriate staffing, setup, and breakdown for all events.

  • Coordinate with team members to promote events on social media and within the local community.

• Offsite Events:

  • Participate in planning and logistics for festivals, conferences, and external sales events.

  • Oversee inventory preparation, transport, and reconciliation for offsite activities.

  • Ensure accurate order fulfillment, returns, and reporting post-event.

School & Institutional Orders

• Process and manage school and organization orders, including purchase orders, billing, and final payments.

• Maintain accurate accounts receivable records and communicate with schools or institutions as needed.

Qualifications

• Retail management experience required; bookselling experience strongly preferred.

• A genuine love of books and reading.

• Strong merchandising instincts--especially in multi-category retail (books, toys, gifts).

• Excellent communication and listening skills; ability to integrate feedback and move forward constructively.

• Creative problem-solver with exceptional attention to detail and multitasking ability.

• Comfortable with existing systems while open to new approaches and efficiencies.

• Proficient in Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slack; tech-savvy and adaptable to new software.

• Able to lift up to 40 lbs and be on your feet for extended periods.

• Flexible availability for 9–5 shifts, weekend rotations, and one large fall event each year.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Commensurate with experience.

• Benefits: Employee discount, paid personal/sick/vacation days (to be mutually agreed upon), and potential for additional benefits as the role develops.

The Merritt Bookstore has been in Millbrook for over 40 years, the last (almost) 10 with Kira as the owner. We serve everyone in our community which includes long time residents, new to town, and weekenders. 

To provide a welcoming and inspiring sanctuary space where valued customers can personally explore--or be led through by passionate, savvy staff members--an unparalleled collection of books, toys, specialty merchandise, and artisan gifts created to enrich, entertain, educate, heal, inform, promote inclusivity, spark the imagination, stir the senses, and satisfy the soul.

We believe communities thrive when they can rely on a local bookstore to provide a beautiful space for anyone to visit at any time and feel welcomed (and perhaps at times, comforted) as they peruse a wide range of literary works born of varied human perspectives.  We appreciate and respect our staff members and are committed to ensuring the energetics of our work environment are charged by a balance of hard work, light spirits, and goodwill. We strive to complement our superior book selection with a wide range of high-quality educational and entertaining toys, specialty merchandise, and imaginative artisan gifts.