Lead Bookseller - FT

Barnes & Noble•Phoenix, AZ

10d•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 provides trusted, hands-on leadership and helps create a welcoming environment where booksellers feel supported and can raise questions or concerns. The Lead Bookseller models reliable attendance, flexibility, a positive and proactive approach, support for colleagues, and cheerful customer service. They learn and apply new skills, support booksellers and baristas, resolve or escalate concerns, and prioritize resources to keep shifts on track. They are expected to master the operational competencies of a Barnes & Noble bookseller and coach others in their use. The position involves merchandising, visual presentation, register operations, membership conversations, receiving and shelving deliveries, inventory and store-layout knowledge, café support, and loss prevention. The Lead Bookseller also uses broad book and product knowledge to assist customers, maintain sections and backstock, promote sales objectives, and coach the team in recommendations and customer-focused hand-selling. The role requires compliance with company policies and procedures. Employees may work in other stores when able and needed to support the wider Cluster.

Requirements

Extensive book knowledge across varied subjects and categories, including fiction, nonfiction, and Children’s.
Knowledge and expertise in ETG, SHC, Media, and Newsstand.
Ability to use BookMaster and other store tools and processes, or willingness to learn and become proficient.
Strong merchandising and visual merchandising skills.
Ability to guide and coach booksellers and support baristas and colleagues.
Strong customer-service skills and ability to provide informed recommendations and hand-sell products.
Ability to locate books and other products accurately and maintain sections and backstock.
Ability to identify theft and de-escalate challenging situations and problematic behavior.
Reliable and punctual attendance, flexibility to help fill scheduling gaps, and a positive, proactive approach.
Physical ability to stand for prolonged periods, bend repeatedly, lift, and walk extensively.

Nice To Haves

Interest, curiosity, ambition, and initiative to develop a bookselling career.
Ability to work in other stores as needed to support the wider Cluster.

Responsibilities

Model reliable, punctual attendance and fill scheduling gaps when able to meet store needs.
Lead by example with a positive, proactive approach and support and assist colleagues, booksellers, and baristas.
Address and resolve bookseller concerns, escalate issues to leadership, and prioritize resources and support to keep shifts on track.
Use BookMaster and other tools and processes effectively, model best practices, and coach the team in their use.
Coach the team in merchandising and visual presentation; create and maintain book and Specialty displays, fixtures, cleanliness, and presentation standards, and replenish products as needed.
Maintain a visible leadership presence at registers and coach booksellers in Membership conversations, register speed, and accuracy.
Guide receiving and unpacking deliveries, anticipate issues, and ensure efficient and accurate shelving.
Maintain expert knowledge of store layout and inventory and coach others in locating products accurately.
Coordinate and model cross-functional support for the café team during busy periods while maintaining café standards.
Coach the team in loss prevention procedures and help maintain a safe, secure bookstore by identifying theft and de-escalating challenging situations and problematic behavior.
Use broad knowledge of fiction, nonfiction, Children’s, and other categories to assist customers, maintain sections, and inspire the team to develop book expertise.
Coach booksellers in making effective recommendations and model enthusiastic, customer-focused hand-selling to drive sales of key titles.
Lead and support sales objectives, including Our Monthly Picks, Book of the Year, Membership, and pre-orders.
Use knowledge of ETG, SHC, Media, and Newsstand to maintain sections and backstock, assist customers, and guide the team.
Comply with company policies and procedures.

Benefits

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