Lead Bookseller

Barnes & Noble•Fairbanks, AK

24d

About The Position

A Lead Bookseller is an integral member of the Barnes & Noble bookselling team and helps maintain compelling merchandise presentations and oversee the efficient operation of the salesfloor. The role combines hands-on bookselling with leadership: creating a welcoming and supportive environment for booksellers, serving as a resource for booksellers and baristas, addressing concerns, and escalating issues to store leadership. The Lead Bookseller models positive, reliable, customer-focused behavior and supports the team in keeping shifts on track. The position requires proficiency in bookstore operations, merchandising, visual presentation, register operations, receiving and shelving deliveries, inventory and store layout, café support, and loss prevention. The Lead Bookseller coaches colleagues in these areas while maintaining store standards and supporting safe, secure operations. The role also uses broad book and product knowledge to serve customers, make recommendations, maintain sections and backstock, and support sales priorities. Work may include supporting other stores in the wider Cluster when able and needed. Physical activity includes prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking. The role is subject to company policies and procedures, and offers opportunities to develop bookselling expertise and take on further challenges.

Requirements

Demonstrated or developing proficiency in Barnes & Noble bookseller operational competencies, including BookMaster and other store tools and processes.
Strong merchandising and visual merchandising skills, including the ability to create and maintain book and Specialty presentations and set fixtures.
Ability to coach colleagues in register operations, Membership conversations, register speed, and accuracy.
Ability to support receiving, unpacking, replenishment, shelving, inventory, and backstock operations.
Extensive knowledge of store layout, books, and products, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, ETG, SHC, Media, and Newsstand.
Customer-focused communication and service skills, including making informed recommendations and hand-selling products.
Ability to coach colleagues, address and escalate concerns, prioritize team support, and maintain a safe and secure store.
Reliable and punctual attendance, a positive and proactive approach, flexibility to fill scheduling gaps when able, and willingness to learn and develop.
Physical ability to perform prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.
Availability may need to accommodate a store that is open from early mornings to late evenings every day, including weekends and most holidays.

Responsibilities

Guide the bookselling team in maintaining compelling merchandise presentations and oversee efficient salesfloor operations.
Provide supportive, hands-on leadership; act as a resource for booksellers and baristas, address concerns, and raise issues to leadership.
Prioritize resources and bookseller support to keep shifts on track.
Use BookMaster and other store tools and processes to model best practices and coach colleagues in their effective use.
Coach the team in creating and maintaining book presentations and Specialty displays, 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 booksellers in receiving and unpacking deliveries, resolving anticipated issues, and ensuring efficient, accurate shelving.
Use expert knowledge of store layout and inventory to locate products and coach others to do the same.
Coordinate and model cross-functional café support during busy periods while maintaining café standards.
Coach the team on loss-prevention procedures and contribute to a safe, secure bookstore by spotting theft and de-escalating challenging situations and problematic behaviors.
Use broad knowledge of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books to assist customers and encourage booksellers to expand their expertise.
Lead the team in maintaining sections and presenting books attractively; coach effective recommendations across varied sections.
Model enthusiastic, customer-focused hand-selling to drive sales of key titles.
Support sales objectives, including Our Monthly Picks, Book of the Year, Membership, and pre-orders, and share relevant knowledge 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, set a positive example, help colleagues, and fill scheduling gaps when able.
Comply with company policies and procedures; may support other stores in the wider Cluster when able and needed.