Kenyon College is conducting a search to fill the position of Assistant Store Manager – Bookstore. The Kenyon College Bookstore is the nation's longest continuously-operating college bookstore, and the third-oldest bookstore of any kind in America. Today, the bookstore occupies a central location on the Kenyon campus. It sells textbooks, trade books, clothing, gifts, food and drink, glassware, greeting cards, stationery, and sundries. The bookstore also serves as a center of social life on campus staying open until 11 pm, seven days a week when classes are in session.

Position Description

Reports to the General Manager and supervises Sales Floor Staff (Customer Service & Sales Associates, Lead Customer Service Associate and Student Interns), all emblematic product purchasing, and merchandising.

• Co-recruits, hires, trains, schedules and supervises Sales Floor Staff.
• Offers constructive feedback to General Manager regarding improving the Bookstore.
• Interprets Bookstore policy and uses good judgment to repair customer relationships.
• Purchases display accessories for Sales Floor within budget guidelines.
• Recommends modifications of the store layout to the General Manager, and works with departments to implement changes.
• Changes focal point display fixtures on Sales Floor as necessary.
• Establishes goals for on-hand inventory investment relative to the Bookstore’s seasonal sales fluctuations.
• Buys merchandise within budgetary guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Participates in all recruiting, training, and supervisory efforts of Sales Floor staff with the primary goal of delivering exceptional customer service.
• Supports staff with ongoing communication about goals and daily activities (using daily checklists).
• Models service-oriented customer interactions.
• Maintains clean, organized, and fully stocked work areas.
• Works with the Accounting/Data Entry employee to ensure registers are properly stocked with coin and currency and ensures proper handling of cash.
• Working with the Lead Customer Service Associate, develops calendar of themes for focal point display areas.
• Ensures timely displays for special events (set-up and change-out).
• Works with staff to create and change-out focal point displays.
• Works with staff to move merchandise from Receiving onto the Sales Floor in a timely manner.
• Works with vendors to improve margins.
• Works with staff to maintain sections so that they are interesting, fresh, organized and clean.
• Identifies and processes timely markdowns for both promotional and inventory management purposes.
• Reads industry publications for timely information on products, trends, vendors, and business practices.
• Works with Lead Customer Service Associate to schedule, prepare for, and conduct vendor returns and annual physical inventory.
• Schedules all coverage of front registers.
• Schedules staff for in-store and off-site events as required.
• Trains new staff on product searches,  inventory pulls and other inventory-related tasks.
• Engages buyer colleagues to assist with new employee training and whenever necessary, ongoing training of staff.
• Attends Management and Staff meetings.

Skills Required

• Commitment to deliver exceptional customer service (internal and external customers).
• Respect for lifelong learning.
• Understanding of Kenyon department structure and course offerings.
• Ability to lead a team, create an enjoyable work environment, and engage staff in making the Bookstore experience ever more positive.
• Ability to actively participate as a member of the Bookstore Management Team.
• Ability to professionally interact with faculty, staff, students and members of the surrounding community.
• Ability to seek input to improve the Bookstore’s selection and service.
• Understanding of Bookstore financial documents.
• Ability to use Booklog for inventory searches and ordering, cash reconciliation and report analyses.
• Ability to use merchandising techniques to create interesting displays.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years supervising multiple employees.
• Two years in a managerial position in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Degree in business related field preferred, or related experience.

Compensation and Benefits

Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 85% tuition waivers at fifteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.

We also offer health and dental insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.

Kenyon is a unique place to live and work. To discover why it should be your next home, click here.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Please visit our Diversity at Kenyon website.