Post: Bookseller
Type: Full-time
Salary: £19,200 per annum
Reports to: Shane Rhodes, Wrecking Ball Press
Direct reports: Bookshop staff
Location: Hull
Closes: 22/01/21
Interviews: w/c 25/01/21 and w/c 01/02/21
Artform: Literature / events
Contact: Dave Windass dave@wreckingballpress.com
Applications should include a CV and cover letter outlining why you’re the perfect candidate.
Purpose
Wrecking Ball Press wish to employ a specialist Bookseller with the knowledge and enthusiasm to drive book sales forward and develop literature events that engage with the public and increase the Wrecking Ball Press audience.
Based at the large, independent Wrecking Ball Music & Books shop in Hull city centre and reporting directly to Wrecking Ball Press, our dedicated Bookseller will be responsible for providing guidance and literary insight to customers wishing to learn more about the books on sale, an extensive range of books from UK independent publishers.
Our Bookseller will also develop a broad range of literature-related activities, initiatives and events in both the shop and its accompanying first-floor 100-seat capacity venue, in order to generate a growing interest in books and reading, generating sales and realising the ambition of Wrecking Ball as a hub for literature activity while raising the profile of Hull and the North as the centre of contemporary literature.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the post
Your primary concern as a Bookseller will be customer service, but you’ll also need an excellent knowledge of the UK’s independent publishers, the shop’s stock and the wider book market in general. You’ll help customers locate titles and offer information and advice about different books that are available. You’ll also be heavily involved in ordering and displaying stock, as well as working with publishing companies and their representatives.
Our stock of literature encompasses all forms and genres and our Bookseller is expected to have a deep understanding and knowledge of the widest possible range of literature and should be a self-confessed and proud bibliophile and poetry lover. While we’d expect our Bookseller to come pre-armed with this extensive knowledge we’re also aware that you won’t have read everything and that you may be unfamiliar with some of the independent publishers that we stock and love. There will, therefore, be a period of orientation and plenty of time to read, and lots of books to devour.
Ideally our Bookseller will also be able to demonstrate experience of creating or working to support an exciting programme of literature events and initiatives or have a strong desire to do so, and be able to work collaboratively with Wrecking Ball’s experienced events team across different areas.
Our Bookseller needs to be confident when talking and communicating with the public, publishing companies and their representatives and writers involved in delivering events and activities.
You should also be experienced and comfortable in the use of social media platforms as a marketing and promotional tool.
Responsibilities
-
serving a range of customers
-
dealing with enquiries and identifying customer needs
-
offering advice and recommending books where appropriate
-
Organising, in collaboration with Wrecking Ball’s experienced events team, a programme of literature events, activities, and other book events, including (but not limited to) organising talks/readings, signing sessions and reading groups
-
maintaining up-to-date knowledge of current titles and changes in the market
-
promoting in-store and venue events and activities via social media platforms
-
undertaking bibliographic work using computer or print sources to identify and locate titles
-
processing customer orders and book reservations
-
dealing with mail order, email and web-based orders
-
handling payments by cash, card and using book tokens using electronic point of sale (EPOS) technology
-
buying from catalogues and publishers’ representatives
-
negotiating prices with sellers
-
processing book deliveries and returns
-
stock-checking books and other merchandise
-
creating in-store and window displays
-
maintaining commercial awareness including identifying business and promotional opportunities
-
liaising with other external account holders, for example schools, councils and companies
-
reviewing sales performance
-
a range of administration tasks
-
undertaking general housekeeping duties, such as unpacking, stock replenishment and tidying.
Personal Specification
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Required:
-
Experience of working in a bookshop in a public facing role
-
Demonstrable knowledge of literature, books, publishers and independent publishers
-
Knowledge of literature events and literature related activities
-
Experienced user of social media/online platforms
-
Demonstrable experience of delivering excellence in customer service and associated problem solving
-
Strong record of operational support activities
-
Experience of working as part of a team
-
A knowledge of Health & Safety and other applicable legislation appropriate to a public-facing space
-
Ability to remain calm under pressure and the ability to deal with sensitive situations in a professional and diplomatic way
-
Excellent people and communication skills
-
Ability to manage multiple priorities
-
A willingness to learn and develop
-
Desire to build audiences for books and literature events
-
Comfortable with admin
Desirable:
-
Experience of working in events
-
Monitoring and reporting on events
-
Demonstrable experience of managing social media and online marketing campaigns
-
Experience of working with writers
-
Experience of projects involving the public
-
Innovative ideas to promote literature and develop audiences
Apply by 22/01/21 with a CV and cover letter via email to dave@wreckingballpress.com
