Brown University Bookstore is looking for an Assistant Tradebook Manager whose main function will be to assist in the management of the trade book department with the responsibility for the sales, expense control and net profit of the department.  Responsible for the selection and inventory of a high-volume trade book department, including hardcovers, paperbacks, front and backlist titles for  the Brown Bookstore.  Responsible for maintaining stock to meet the various needs and interests of the academic and local community, as well as effectively promoting the Brown Bookstore’s services, such as supporting author appearances and special events.

Responsibilities:

Merchandise and managing a profitable trade department, while meeting or exceeding the budgeting sales goals.

Supporting Actions:

• Support the mission of the bookstore.
• Solicit and co-ordinate with University departments to support their programs with readings and signings.
• Assist the events planner in planning how to grow sales through an expanded schedule of popular author/ speaker events.
• Solicit and service our community’s need for informational/ author events, including Providence East Side organizations and educational entities.
• Assist the events planner in developing speaking/ signing events for current and former Brown faculty and students/ alumni.  During certain periods, provide coverage for author events that run outside of store operating hours.
• Develop merchandise presentation plans that display the books in a manner that allows for enhanced customer navigation, supports the store mission responsibilities and maximizes sales.
• Develop promotional plans with the Marketing Coordinator.

Source, select, and manage front and backlist titles from all major publishers, university presses, and other publishers and wholesalers as needed.  Manage, facilitate, and grow special events.

Supporting Actions:

• Collaborate with the Trade Book Planner to ensure timely reorders, to maintain the back list of titles and maximize sales.
• Interface with the Trade Book Planner to assort the store with the right books in the right quantity to maximize sales.
• Assist with selecting and managing title assortment and quantity both in the store and online.
• Work with the Trade Book Planner to develop the mix of distributor versus publisher purchasing that minimizes net cost including freight.
• Assist with the Trade Book Planner to minimize returns to save on freight costs.
• Assist the Department Manager to develop an expanded remainder program.
• Make space and presentation plans with a focus on the margin percent of specific books or lines of books.
• Determine the mix of new titles to carry as well as their quantities and placement in the store, making analytical buying decisions that best fit our mission and market.
• Determine the appropriate titles to maintain a robust backstock to reflect an academic bookstore, and the community we serve.
• Work with the publisher sales reps, as well as with book and merchandise catalogues, especially electronic ones, primarily Edelweiss

Please see the link for complete job description: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:a59a3518-23a5-3c4b-b054-0741a879ed6f

The Brown Bookstore has been located at 244 Thayer Street, on the corner of Angell & Thayer, since the opening of the Brown Office Building in 1970. The Bookstore is an anchor store to the Thayer Street retail district on College Hill in Providences historic East Side. The Bookstore attracts students, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors, area residents and professionals. The Bookstore is known for its general and academic book selections, and quality Brown gifts and apparel, cards, stationery, supply and computer products, also for its friendly atmosphere and good service. Self-operated by Brown University, the Brown Bookstore is proud of its status as an independent university and community focused bookstore.