Lead Bookseller - FT

Barnes & Noble•Los Angeles, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

A Lead Bookseller is an integral member of the Barnes & Noble bookselling team who guides colleagues, maintains compelling merchandise presentations, and helps oversee the efficient operation of the salesfloor. The role provides hands-on leadership, supports booksellers and baristas, responds to concerns, and helps create a welcoming environment for both colleagues and customers. Lead Booksellers are expected to model reliable, positive, supportive, customer-focused behavior; learn continuously; and help keep shifts on track. The position requires mastering the operational competencies of a Barnes & Noble bookseller and progressively developing book knowledge and leadership skills. It may involve supporting other stores within the wider Cluster when needed and able. The role includes prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking. The stated starting hourly rate is $24.50, depending on experience, seniority, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.

Requirements

Ability to demonstrate reliable and punctual attendance and respond flexibly to store scheduling needs, including potential shifts during early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and most holidays.
Positive, proactive, supportive, and customer-focused approach; willingness to help colleagues and customers.
Aptitude and willingness to learn new skills and knowledge, take initiative, and develop a bookselling career.
Ability to master operational bookselling skills, including BookMaster and other store tools and processes.
Merchandising and visual presentation skills, including maintaining fixtures, displays, and replenishment.
Ability to coach colleagues in register operations, membership conversations, receiving and shelving deliveries, and customer service.
Knowledge of books and store inventory, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, ETG, SHC, Media, and Newsstand, or ability to develop that expertise.
Ability to support café operations during busy periods and follow loss-prevention and safety procedures.
Ability to perform prolonged standing, repetitive bending, lifting, and extensive walking.

Responsibilities

Maintain reliable and punctual attendance and provide consistent leadership on the salesfloor; fill scheduling gaps when able and respond flexibly to store needs.
Lead by example through a positive, proactive, hardworking, supportive, and customer-focused approach.
Act as a resource for booksellers and baristas, addressing and resolving concerns and escalating issues to leadership as appropriate.
Prioritize resources and bookseller support to keep shifts on track.
Use BookMaster and other store tools and processes proficiently, model best practices, and coach colleagues in their effective use.
Coach booksellers in creating and maintaining book and Specialty merchandise presentations, fixtures, replenishment, cleanliness, and presentation standards.
Maintain a visible leadership presence at registers and coach membership conversations, register speed, and accuracy.
Guide and support delivery receiving and unpacking, anticipate issues, and help ensure efficient and 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 support for the café team during busy periods while maintaining café standards.
Coach the store team on loss-prevention procedures and maintaining a safe, secure bookstore; identify theft and de-escalate challenging situations and problematic behaviors.
Use broad knowledge of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books to serve customers, maintain sections, and help colleagues expand their expertise.
Coach colleagues in making effective recommendations across store sections and model enthusiastic, customer-focused hand-selling to drive sales of key titles.
Lead and support sales objectives, including 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.