Full Time - Course Materials Buyer

Aztec Shops•San Diego, CA

About The Position

The Course Materials Buyer researches and determines the quantity, price, and purchasing terms for textbooks, eBooks, and custom publications for resale or rental through the SDSU Bookstore. The position works under the direction of the Course Materials General Manager and handles course-material adoptions, purchasing, vendor and faculty communications, and related data entry. The Buyer works to meet deadlines, maintain appropriate inventory levels, and expand the availability of digital course materials. The position also requires staying current with technology used in course-material operations, including understanding faculty use of course management systems such as Canvas and how students and faculty use digital readers and eBooks. Work is regularly performed in a traditional office setting, with occasional travel to a work site for project management and inspections. The position involves frequent computer and office-equipment use, extensive reading and interpretation of documents, and occasional lifting or carrying of objects up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

Associate degree plus 0–3 years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Computer literacy, including knowledge of Word, Excel, Adobe, Google Workspace applications, and internet searches.
Ability to set and manage constantly changing priorities.
Willingness to work under deadline pressure.
Strong organization skills.
Ability to read, write, and understand English and follow verbal and written instructions, guidelines, and objectives.
Ability to read, comprehend, analyze, and interpret general business information, governmental regulations, and technical or trade journals.
Ability to write reports and communicate effectively by telephone, in writing, and electronically.
Ability to present information effectively and respectfully in one-on-one, small-group, and large-group settings to customers, vendors, management, and employees.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, and percentages, apply basic math, prepare and analyze numerical figures, create and interpret spreadsheets, and apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to interpret varied information and instructions, including undefined and concrete variables, and interpret market needs and trends.
Ability to use a computer and a variety of office machines and equipment.
Ability to talk, express or exchange ideas, and hear or perceive sounds.
Ability to sit frequently; use hands to touch, handle, or feel objects; use a keypad or handle papers and books; and reach with hands and arms.
Ability to stand and walk occasionally and move, lift, or carry objects or materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
Visual ability for close, peripheral, distance, and color vision needed for extensive reading and interpretation of reports and documents.
Satisfactory completion of the required background check before beginning work.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Verba/VitalSource and NetSuite.

Responsibilities

Handle day-to-day operations and ensure consistent adherence to deadlines.
Communicate with faculty and department coordinators to obtain requisitions by deadlines.
Process course-material adoptions, verifying the course, title, author, and format for each title, with emphasis on converting materials to digital formats where possible.
Make buying decisions using current on-hand quantities, outstanding rentals, and potential buyback quantities; supplement used stock with new textbooks to ensure adequate supply.
Prepare textbook and custom-publication purchase orders accurately and on time.
Balance minimizing out-of-stocks with minimizing overstocks.
Maintain an outreach database tracking outstanding and received requisitions.
Research publishers, wholesalers, and distributors to obtain favorable purchase prices and terms.
Communicate with vendors and faculty about out-of-stock, out-of-print, and delayed orders.
Process cancellations.
Use Verba/VitalSource and NetSuite to enter data related to textbooks purchased and needed for each semester.
Make work-to-buy decisions based on enrollment, past sales, history, and faculty usage.
Comply with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including those related to employment, safety, and health.
Stay current on technology and integrate new technologies into operations.
Understand the benefits of and faculty use of course management systems such as Canvas.
Understand the digital-reader and eBook process and how students and faculty use offered products.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

80% employer-paid medical coverage for the employee and qualified dependents.
90% employer-paid dental coverage for the employee and qualified dependents.
Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance.
Employer-funded defined benefit pension plan.
Vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Paid holidays.
Up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement.
Voluntary 403(b) matching and 457 retirement savings plans (the 457 plan is non-matching).
Flexible spending accounts.
Employer employee assistance program, including financial wellness resources.
Additional employee benefits.