Greater Chicago Midwest HERC

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Job Description:

Summary
The Iowa State University Book Store is a self-supporting auxiliary unit of Iowa State University located in Ames, IA. As the official bookstore serving Iowa State University, we will provide customers the educational products, services, and resources to support Iowa State University’s mission. 

Responsibilities include:

• Assisting with the ordering and inventory of collegiate licensed and graduation products
• Negotiating with vendors on prices, discounts, product quality, services, terms and delivery
• Evaluating new product offerings and analyzing calculated financial risk as it pertains to turns, margins, gross margin return on investment (GMROI) and customer service
• Working within the parameters of an established open-to-buy plan and sales goals as set by Senior Buyer of Collegiate Merchandise; interpreting the open-to-buy data to make informed purchasing decisions
• Compiling and maintaining data to generate reports for product category, vendor and item performance, and sales analysis
• Assisting with monitoring the transfer of product between store, warehouse, and other locations to ensure inventory accuracy
• Working with other ISU office and University Book Store internal departments to coordinate the resale of imprinted merchandise with various campus and Book Store events and conferences
• Conducting and reconciling bi-annual physical inventory process for the collegiate merchandise and graduation products
• Assigning retail prices, controlling markups, markdowns, and discounts; managing revenue goals
• Conducting sales and product training to staff
• Communicating with faculty, staff, and/or vendors on regular basis regarding product deadlines, availability, and orders/requests
• Recommending industry changes and stay current with market trends; collaborate and contribute on marketing
• Troubleshooting POS and software system issues 
• Attending and presenting at industry meetings, trade shows, and training sessions to keep current on industry issues, college bookstore networking, and system updates/enhancements in order to benchmark performance and services
• Providing excellent customer service during high intensity sales periods and make quick decisions on how to change and use staff, handle customer issues, and/or move and adjust merchandise 
• Interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, supervising, evaluating, disciplining, and dismissal of student employees or interns

In collaboration with the Senior Buyer of Collegiate Merchandise and Events Coordinator, this position is responsible for assisting with operations related to the State Fair, including hiring, staffing, inventory selection, procurement, and pricing.  Position will also be required to be on-site and work 1/3 of the State Fair. 

The successful candidate will have the ability to form positive working relationships, engaged teamwork, and communication with bookstore team, vendor partners, industry network, ISU community, and customers. The successful candidate must also have problem solving skills and ability to work independently as well as with a team, demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills; strong negotiation skills, excellent organizational and multitasking skills to handle a variety of duties simultaneously. Candidate must embrace appropriate technology tools to accomplish job functions including strong computer skills in Microsoft Office and industry specific software. The Iowa State University Book Store is open 7 days a week, positions require working a few weekends on a rotating schedule as Supervisor on Duty.  Working hours may be adjusted for night and weekend requirements to support a healthy work-life balance. 

Level Guidelines
• Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals
• Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems
• Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests
• May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff
• May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity
• Provides guidance to students

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Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

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About Iowa State University

Iowa State University is classified as a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University-Extensive, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top public universities in the nation. Over 36,000 students are enrolled and served by over 6,200 faculty and staff (see www.iastate.edu). Ames, Iowa is a progressive community of 60,000, located approximately 30 minutes north of Des Moines, and recently voted the best college town in the nation (see www.visitames.com). Iowa State University is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants, including women, underrepresented minorities, and veterans. ISU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples, is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of policies, and is an NSF ADVANCE institution. Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status and will not be discriminated against.

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