RJ Julia Booksellers

RJ Julia’s Store Manager is the key individual leading the bookselling staff to deliver superior customer service, which has shaped the bookstore’s reputation over its 36 years. This is a great opportunity to lead and participate in one of the top bookstores in the country.

The Store Manager, as a member of the management team, must be knowledgeable of and a resource to all departments. They must model exceptional customer service, drive sales, and be a skillful problem solver and effective team leader. This position works closely with the community and its leaders and the RJ Julia Booksellers operations management team.

Responsibilities:

• Interview, hire, and train the right staff as needed. Provide ongoing training/education opportunities/motivation.
• Schedule, direct, and supervise staff in the performance of all bookstore day-to-day operations including online order department.
• Complete or supervise all store opening and closing procedures daily.
• Coordinate operational aspects which include working with the merchandise manager to adjust the store's physical layout and ensure the merchandise is appropriately available.
• Direct, assist, and maintain developing new policies and procedures.
• Prepare administrative and operational reports as required. Compile data for end-of-month reporting.
• Participate in bi-weekly operations meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Occasional sales shifts and floor coverage.
• Order supplies.
• Maintain store appearance and cleanliness. Building maintenance updates in conjunction with President and COO.
• Resolve customer service issues.
• Special sales.
• Other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• At least three years of bookstore or retail management experience including personnel supervision.
• Significant experience using a Point of Sales-system required.
• Proven experience in developing and motivating a team of booksellers/sales associates.
• Deep appreciation of skills and style necessary to enhance customer experience.
• Must be able to work independently.

To apply, please send a brief cover letter which describes your relevant experience and copy of your resume to Lori Fazio, President and COO, at lfazio@rjjulia.com.

Located in the shoreline town of Madison, Connecticut, RJ Julia Booksellers has always been a place of inspiration, information, and excitement.

RJ Julia opened 35 years ago as an independent bookstore whose mission was, and is, to be a place where words matter, where writer meets reader, where the ambiance and selection, and merchandising of books creates an atmosphere that is welcoming and presents the opportunity for discovery. Ultimately, we are fiercely committed to putting the right book in the right hand.

We are extremely proud of having won several major awards nationally, statewide, and locally, including in part, Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year, Lucile Pannell award for bookselling excellence, Connecticut Magazine Best Bookstore, Connecticut Retailers Award for Community Commitment, the Advocate's Best Bookstore and the New Haven Business Small Business Award.

We host over 300 events each year. Authors from all over the country--some even from overseas--visit the store to inspire, educate, and entertain us.

In addition to our events schedule, we pride ourselves on having a knowledgeable staff, opinionated book selections (look for those little white "shelf-talker" tags), and a consuming passion for reading. You can be sure that when you pick up any book at our store, it is one that we have hand-selected with specific reading audiences in mind.