Applications are being accepted for a half-time Retail Clerk II position in the Ichabod Shop. This position reports to the Assistant Director of the Ichabod Shop. Work hours for this position are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and some evenings and weekends as scheduled to provide coverage during operational hours. Employment at Washburn University may be conditioned upon satisfactory completion of a background check.
The employee must maintain good rapport with the public, University faculty and staff and co-workers. Applying knowledge of standard operating procedures of the Ichabod Shop and working as a team member within the framework of the Ichabod Shop’s system, ensure courteous, honest, and fair treatment to all customers and bookstore staff.
Provide Exceptional Customer Service to Ichabod Shop Customers
Ring up sales, provide cross-departmental sales support, locate merchandise, make sales suggestions, facilitate special orders, and provide information and product knowledge to extend exceptional service to customers and exceed their sales/service expectations whenever possible.
General Interest Reading Buyer
Develop and maintain Open-to-Buy allocations for all classes associated with general interest reading according to generally accepted industry practices. Working closely with consulting firm staff or independently as appropriate, monitor purchases, sales, inventory age, ROI, and inventory turns. Identify sales trends (positive and negative), provide sales support data, and regularly summarize area progress, applying knowledge to maximize return on investment. Apply knowledge in all areas of the General Interest Reading section and using prudent financial judgment and information from the Ichabod Shop’s computerized inventory system, make sound purchasing decisions in the General Interest Reading area to maximize sales. Rotate merchandise in the “best seller” shelving unit periodically to ensure the most up-to-date product is highly visible. Match receiving and invoice documents to verify received shipments against the appropriate purchase order(s) and ensure that accurate and timely receiving records of all orders are processed. Forward verified invoices for payment approval. Continuously monitor inventory to identify materials that are not needed according to industry trends and process those that qualify for return to vendor. Complete the necessary return forms (chargebacks) and make corresponding adjustments to insure records are in agreement and the system balances. Regularly communicate the status of outstanding chargebacks with the Account Specialist.
Periodically plan and coordinate author appearances on campus on behalf of the Ichabod Shop to enhance related events and increase interest in offered merchandise. Publicize events throughout the campus community to encourage attendance. Conduct book sales for visiting authors brought in by other campus departments to support their events and increase sales. Review all tradebooks received by the store and select titles for monthly “New Release” newsletters to all faculty and staff.
Textbook Buyer/Nursing Supply Buyer
Using established purchasing procedures, order required and non-required law materials to ensure timely arrival for RUSH of the right quantities. Monitor inventory levels during RUSH to identify low inventory and out-of-stock titles, and call in orders for additional supplies. Work with vendors as needed to expedite orders. Communicate the status of law book adoptions regularly with faculty and staff to keep them apprised of issues and developments that affect them. Perform regular term inventories and cycle counts, and complete physical inventories of all items in general interest reading, study aids, law course materials and all accessories according to good business practices. Periodically attend nursing faculty meetings to identify content and quality of medical kits for nursing classes. Determine order quantities based upon past sales histories and returns, and order kits for nursing classes. Follow up with nursing faculty, support staff and medical vendors to ensure validity and integrity of kit contents. Working with faculty and students to determine needs, order required scrubs and lab jackets as well as non-required items such as stethoscopes, nursing accessories and gift items. Network with faculty and students, research industry trends to identify new and exciting products that may appeal to the nursing student population. Coordinate with and assist other Ichabod Shop staff members to cross-merchandise products in various displays around the store and at special events such as sidewalk sales.
Campus Relations
Serve as liaison to campus departments in order to build and maintain positive customer relations and to determine campus needs. Promptly communicate to supervisor or other department staff concerns arising from campus contacts to facilitate immediate and appropriate response to issues of concern.
Other Duties
Allot time for industry research and reading to experience professional growth and development. Explore innovations and make recommendations for ways to improve existing Ichabod Shop operations. Assist the Assistant Director in implementing new processes and procedures. Share in opening/closing of the Ichabod Shop on weekdays and Saturdays and work periodically in the evenings providing coverage to the store and closing the store.
Perform other duties as requested and/or assigned.
REQUIRED: High school diploma or GED equivalent. 6 months of retail experience. Knowledge of buying principles. Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills and computer skills as well as attention to detail, negotiation skills, persistence/follow up, communication skills, strong aesthetic sense and merchandising ability. Ability to move and/or maneuver materials and packages weighing as much as 40 pounds.
Bachelor’s degree. Retail experience in a college/university environment. 3 months of buying experience. Experience using a computerized inventory control system and various software including spreadsheet and/or word processing.
Submit a completed Washburn University Employment Application to getajob@washburn.edu or to Washburn University Human Resources, 263 Morgan Hall, 1700 SW College, Topeka, Kansas 66621. RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED> Review of applications will begin January 28, and continue until a suitably qualified candidate has been identified. Entry rate is $9.22 per hour. Excellent fringe benefits package.
TO ENRICH EDUCATION THROUGH DIVERSITY, WASHBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. CANDIDATES FROM UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
1-18-13