Lead Bookseller - FT

Barnes & Noble • Lafayette, LA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

A Lead Bookseller is an integral member of the Barnes & Noble bookselling team and helps guide the team, maintain compelling merchandise presentations, and oversee efficient salesfloor operations. The role combines trusted expertise with hands-on leadership, supporting booksellers, responding to concerns, and creating a welcoming environment for colleagues and customers.

The Lead Bookseller models reliable attendance, flexibility, a positive and supportive approach, customer service, initiative, and ongoing learning. The role requires proficiency in bookseller operations and the ability to coach others in store tools and processes, merchandising, registers, deliveries, inventory, café support, and loss prevention. As experience develops, the Lead Bookseller uses broad book and product knowledge to serve customers, support sales priorities, maintain sections, and help booksellers grow their expertise. The position includes physical activity and may involve providing support at other stores in the wider Cluster when able and needed. The employee must comply with company policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Demonstrated or developing proficiency in Barnes & Noble bookseller operational competencies.
• Ability to use BookMaster and other store tools and processes.
• Merchandising and visual presentation skills.
• Ability to coach and support colleagues and provide effective customer service.
• Knowledge of books, store layout, inventory, ETG, SHC, Media, and Newsstand, developed and applied as experience grows.
• Ability to identify theft and de-escalate challenging situations and problematic behaviors.
• Reliable and punctual attendance, flexibility, initiative, and willingness to learn.
• Ability to perform prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.

Responsibilities

• Guide the bookselling team in maintaining merchandise presentations and oversee efficient salesfloor operations.
• Provide support and guidance to booksellers and baristas, address and resolve concerns, and raise issues to leadership.
• Prioritize resources and bookseller support to keep shifts on track.
• Use BookMaster and other tools and processes to model best practices and coach team members in their effective use.
• Coach booksellers in merchandising, including creating and maintaining book and Specialty presentations, setting fixtures, replenishing products, and meeting cleanliness and presentation standards.
• Maintain a visible leadership presence at registers and coach booksellers in Membership conversations, register speed, and accuracy.
• Guide and support booksellers in receiving and unpacking deliveries, anticipating issues, and ensuring efficient and accurate shelving.
• Use knowledge of store layout and inventory to locate products accurately and coach others to do the same.
• Coordinate and model cross-functional support for the café team during busy periods while maintaining café standards.
• Coach the team in loss prevention procedures, store safety and security, identifying theft, and de-escalating challenging situations and problematic behaviors.
• Use broad knowledge of fiction, nonfiction, Children’s, and other categories to serve customers and encourage booksellers to expand their expertise.
• Lead the team in maintaining sections and presenting books attractively; coach booksellers in making effective recommendations.
• Drive sales of key titles through enthusiastic, customer-focused hand-selling.
• Support sales priorities such as Our Monthly Picks, Book of the Year, Membership, and pre-orders, and share relevant information with customers and colleagues.
• Use knowledge of ETG, SHC, Media, and Newsstand to maintain sections and backstock, assist customers, and guide the team.
• Maintain reliable and punctual attendance, help fill scheduling gaps when able, and provide flexible support for store needs.
• Provide collaborative support to other stores in the Cluster when able and needed.
• Comply with company policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Employee discount
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Sick pay
• Paid time off, including paid maternity and parental leave (eligibility varies by scheduled hours)
• Company-paid holidays (eligibility varies by scheduled hours)
• 401(k) with company match (eligibility varies by scheduled hours)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees scheduled 30 hours or more
• Healthcare and dependent care spending accounts
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance
• Transit benefits
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed