BookPeople

Job Title: Adult Buying Lead

Department: Buying

Reports To: Buying Manager

SUMMARY: The Adult Buying Lead helps curate and develop the store’s book inventory, balancing financial goals with BookPeople’s mission. This role project manages the publisher co-op program, coordinates the book club program, and supports event planning. They're accountable for section-level performance, including inventory turnover, in-stock levels, margin contribution, GMROI, and co-op dollars secured against target. 

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS & KEY METRICS

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Improvement in overall inventory turnover and reduction in aged inventory across select sections.

• Maintenance of target in-stock levels for high-velocity and priority sections.

• Growth in section-level revenue and margin contribution.

• Improvement in Gross Margin Return on Inventory Investment (GMROI).

• Reduction in excess inventory in select sections.

• Alignment of inventory investment with annual budget and cash flow targets.

• Return rates for select sections

• Co-op dollars secured vs. targeted amount

BUYING DUTIES:  

• Buy front and backlist inventory for select sections, as determined by the Buying Manager

• Order all pre-arranged stock for signings 

• Place orders for pre-order campaigns in a timely manner, and track their status until received

• Track sales on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis

• Mark returns

• Generate cycle count spreadsheets

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DUTIES:

• Project manage and execute BookPeople’s publisher co-op programs

• Coordinate with book club leaders to ensure timely ordering and merchandising of book club titles 

• Assist in planning and execution, including logistics and buying, for major events 

ADMIN DUTIES:

• Serve as the primary point person between the IM team and the buying team for coordinating store displays and other merchandising opportunities. 

• Assist the receiving department and other buyers as directed and as workload allows

• Participate in yearly inventory

• Work on bookfloor, as needed and scheduled by manager

QUALIFICATIONS:  

Required:

• Minimum of four years of bookselling experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the book industry, including publishers, distributors, frontlist and backlist titles, and industry sales cycles.

• Experience using sales and inventory data to inform ordering, replenishment, and returns decisions.

• Experience working with a bookstore inventory management or point-of-sale system.

• Proficiency with spreadsheets, including sorting, filtering, formulas, and interpreting sales and inventory reports.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience buying books for a bookstore.

• Experience meeting with publisher representatives and reviewing seasonal catalogs.

• Experience managing publisher co-op funds, claims, or reimbursement documentation.

• Familiarity with inventory metrics, including sell-through, turnover, aged inventory, margin, returns, and GMROI.

• Familiarity with Edelweiss and BookPeople’s inventory systems. 

COMPETENCIES: 

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail 

• Ability to learn and use new systems accurately and efficiently.

• Excellent time management skills, including ability to prioritize competing needs

• Excellent self-motivation and ability to be self-sufficient

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including staying current on a busy inbox

• Ability to adapt to evolving situations and handle change with patience

• Ability to ask for clarity and/or help when needed

• Works in the best interest of BookPeople and our community bound by books

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods, including frequent keyboarding and data entry.

• Ability to sit, stand, and move throughout the store during a shift.

• Ability to bend, reach, kneel, and use step stools or ladders to access and merchandise inventory.

• Ability to regularly handle books, cartons, and other store materials.

• Ability to lift and carry boxes of books weighing up to 50 pounds, particularly during event setup, execution, and breakdown.

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

STARTING WAGE: This is a non-exempt, hourly position. The starting wage is $19.25/hr.

LABOR GRADE: 5

SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS: Full time in person in Austin, TX position. The regular workweek for full-time employees shall be five (5) days, a minimum of seven (7) consecutive hours per day.  Must be able to work mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays. 

BOOKPEOPLE OFFERS THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS TO ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision health insurance

• In-store and CoffeePeople discount

• Birthday benefit: free book of your choice, plus time off or extra pay if you work that day

• Extra pay on select special holidays worked (Customer Appreciation Day, Independent Bookseller Day, and the Saturday Before Christmas)

• Two paid holidays: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, with early closure on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and a late opening on New Year's Day

• Accrued sick leave and vacation time

• Community partner discount

• Priority access to author signing lines

• Free audiobooks and advance reader copies

• Free garage parking

EEO: BookPeople Inc. is an equal opportunity work environment and is considered an affirmative action employer. We are committed to hiring, promoting, and providing continual equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.

BookPeople has been the leading independent bookstore in Texas since 1970.

Located in the heart of downtown, BookPeople has been voted best bookstore in Austin for over 20 years. BookPeople was voted Bookstore of the Year by Publisher’s Weekly in 2005. With visits from some of the most interesting and important authors of the past 50 years, BookPeople is the destination bookstore in Texas.