Lead Bookseller - FT

Job Summary

A Barnes & Noble bookstore is a gathering place for readers and the community. As a Lead Bookseller, you are an integral member of the bookselling team at the heart of our stores. You play a leadership role in guiding the bookselling team to maintain compelling merchandise presentations and overseeing the efficient running of the salesfloor.

About the Role

You are both a trusted expert and hands-on leader, creating a welcoming environment where booksellers feel supported, comfortable bringing forward questions or concerns, and they trust that you will address them promptly and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts, setting the standard for the team and ensuring consistent leadership presence on the floor.
• Flexibly fill scheduling gaps when able, being responsive to the needs of the store.
• Lead by example with purpose and energy, working hard and reliably while inspiring others to do the same.
• Support and help colleagues in the team, consistently going out of your way to assist them.
• Show enthusiasm and positivity towards customers, always going out of your way to help them.
• Show aptitude and willingness to learn new skills, acquiring new knowledge and applying it appropriately in the store while guiding and supporting others.
• Be curious, want to continuously learn, and demonstrate ambition and initiative to develop a bookselling career.
• Act as a resource for booksellers and baristas, addressing and resolving concerns and raising these issues to leadership.
• Prioritize resources and bookseller support appropriately to keep the shift on track.
• Master the operational competencies of a Barnes & Noble bookseller, proficient in using BookMaster and other tools and processes, and guiding others in their effective use.
• Coach the store team in creating and maintaining appropriate and various book presentations, actively monitoring, guiding, and adjusting displays while ensuring cleanliness and presentation standards are met.
• Guide booksellers in applying effective visual merchandising skills, while creating and maintaining Specialty presentations, setting fixtures, and reliably replenishing products as required.
• Cooperate with the café team during busy periods, ensuring booksellers assist effectively while maintaining café standards.
• Coach the store team to follow loss prevention procedures, and maintain a safe, secure bookstore by the ability to spot theft and effectively de-escalate challenging situations and problematic behaviors.
• Use extensive book knowledge of varied subjects (fiction, nonfiction, Children’s) and categories to engage and provide informed service to customers, inspiring booksellers to broaden their expertise.
• Drive sales of key titles by modeling enthusiastic, and customer-focused hand-selling appreciated by customers.
• Lead and support the store’s focus on key sales objectives such as Our Monthly Picks, Book of the Year, Membership, pre-orders, etc., actively sharing this knowledge genuinely with customers and colleagues.
• Use extensive knowledge, expertise, and understanding of ETG, SHC, Media and Newsstand, to maintain all sections and backstock effectively, helping customers with their shopping and leading the store team in doing the same.

Qualifications

• Reliable and punctual attendance for scheduled shifts.
• Flexibility to fill scheduling gaps when able.
• Positive and proactive approach to work.
• Supportive and considerate of colleagues.
• Curious, willing to learn, and ambitious to develop a bookselling career.
• Expert knowledge of store layout and inventory.
• Ability to spot theft and effectively de-escalate challenging situations and problematic behaviors.
• Extensive book knowledge of varied subjects (fiction, nonfiction, Children’s) and categories.

Benefits

• Employee Discount
• EAP
• Sick Pay
• For those scheduled to work 30 hours or more: Employee Discount, EAP, Sick Pay, Paid Time Off including paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Company Paid Holidays, 401(k) with Company Match, Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision), Healthcare and Dependent Care Spending Accounts, Healthcare Spending Account, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Transit, and Tuition Reimbursement.

Pay

An employee in this position can expect a hourly rate starting at $17.75.

Schedule

All schedules are determined by the store and may vary based on store needs.