Sales and Service Specialist

Publishing House of the Evangelical Lutheran Churc•Minneapolis, MN

3d•$20 - $20•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sales and Service Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for Augsburg Fortress Publishers customers, providing responsive, knowledgeable support for product sales and general service inquiries. The role helps customers find accurate information, explore product options, make informed purchasing decisions, and receive an exceptional customer experience. The position is part of a hybrid work model, is open to candidates living in the Twin Cities, and requires onsite work at the Minneapolis office four days a week. After an initial training period, the employee may work remotely on Fridays. Regular hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Augsburg Fortress Publishers is a multimedia publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with five imprints: Augsburg Fortress, Sparkhouse, Fortress Press, Beaming Books, and Broadleaf Books. It publishes resources supporting Christian worship, faith formation, spiritual growth, academic study, and professional development. The organization strives to foster inclusiveness, equity, and respect, and encourages applicants committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in publishing. The role requires prior customer service, sales, or call center experience. An undergraduate degree is preferred, though equivalent education and relevant experience will be considered. Publishing or church-related experience is preferred. The hourly pay range is $19.50–$20.00, depending on qualifications and internal equity.

Requirements

Previous experience in customer service, sales, or a call center environment.
Commitment to Augsburg Fortress Publishers' mission, vision, and values.
Enjoy engaging with customers and solving problems by phone, email, and other communication channels.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with individual consumers and business customers.
Strong commitment to providing an exceptional customer experience.
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision.
Strong attention to detail, including accurate data entry and inquiry skills.
Ability to perform basic mathematical and accounting-related tasks.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Residence in the Twin Cities area and ability to work onsite at the Minneapolis office four days a week.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree; equivalent education and relevant experience will also be considered.
Experience in publishing or a church-related setting.
Knowledge and understanding of Christian worship, music, and faith formation.
Spanish-language proficiency.

Responsibilities

Respond to customer inquiries by phone, email, and chat, providing timely, professional, and helpful service.
Develop and maintain expertise in products, services, and accounts through onboarding, training, and ongoing learning.
Help customers select appropriate products and services, make confident purchasing decisions, and obtain accurate account information.
Address customer questions and resolve issues or disputes proactively to foster positive, ongoing customer relationships.
Collaborate with the Sales and Service team and internal teams, including Marketing, Product Development, and Finance, to address customer needs and support customer satisfaction.
Participate in the organization's professional development program and complete annual professional development goals.
Perform administrative and organizational support tasks, including processing mail, preparing mailings, and assisting with other needs as assigned.