MSU Bookstore Assistant Store Manager

Overview

Incorporated in 1931, Montana State University Bookstore, Inc. (MSU Bookstore), is a student-faculty owned cooperative that serves Montana State University and the surrounding Gallatin Valley.

As a student-faculty owned co-op, the MSU Bookstore seeks to provide the lowest possible pricing on textbooks for our students. This is done through rebating the excess profits of previous years’ sales back to our student owners through aggressive textbook discounting. This ongoing mission has allowed us to be a national leader in offering competitive course material prices to our students.

Each MSU Bookstore employee is expected to promote an atmosphere of courtesy and respect within the MSU Bookstore team by demonstrating positive leadership skills that build up the culture within the MSU Bookstore. Some of these skills include such things as collaborative problem-solving, calm, and inclusive speech, and practicing a teamwork mindset over a harsh or authoritative delegation style. It is also a baseline expectation that all MSU Bookstore employees celebrate our customers by engaging, advocating for, and contributing to the feeling of acceptance and inclusiveness for all MSU Bookstore customers and employees.

Primary Purpose

Under the direction of the CEO, the core objective of the MSU Bookstore Store Manager is to oversee the daily workflow of the MSU Bookstore. This position is required to maintain a regular presence on the sales floor as they facilitate the completion of daily tasks, resolve customer concerns, and interact with the team to meet department needs.

In addition to driving daily operations, the Store Manager oversees the strategic aspects of all departments in MSU Bookstore and coordinates such aspects with the CEO and Executive Management Team. This position serves as the primary contact for customer relations and case management on the Bozeman campus, and as the campus liaison to the MSU Bookstore Board of Directors.

This position is a key leadership position within the company and works closely with all departments and subsidiaries associated with the MSU Bookstore, Inc.

This position is primarily meant to be performed on-site but may require some travel based on the needs of the business including providing representation at industry events.

Primary Duties

1. Under the direction of the CEO, facilitates the completion of daily tasks, resolves customer concerns, and interact with the team to meet department needs.

2. Works closely with the MSU Bookstore, Inc. Executive team to complete key objective and resolve operational roadblocks.

3. Supports the MSU Bookstore mission by developing and maintaining positive partnerships with University representatives, MSU Bookstore Board members, community stakeholders, vendors and others.

4. Provides support in the creation and implementation of the annual budget for the MSU Bookstore.

5. Serves at the primary “Manager on Duty” for the MSU Bookstore.

6. Acts as the project manager for all MSU Bookstore special events including Grad Fair, Spring rodeo and the bookstore’s physical annual inventory.

7. Takes the lead in all prep work related to stadium events set-up including transferring products between the bookstore and the stadium.

8. Required to interact with customers and support front-of-house tasks such as processing online orders.

9. Support the Bookstore’s non-profit mission.

10. Under the direction of the Executive team, regularly takes the lead in the training, communication, and supervision of the MSU Bookstore staff.

11. Works closely with the CWO to identify training, procedural needs as well as personal and organizational risk within the MSU Bookstore.

12. Required to stay up-to-date and enforce all federal, state, and local laws related to Title IX, mandatory-reporting requirements, FERPA, FLMA, FLSA, HIPPA, HEA, and other Federal employment, higher education, and workplace laws.

13. De-escalate situations of conflict with in a calm and collaborative manner.

14. Provides regular updates to the Executive team on the overall organizational health of the MSU Bookstore and makes recommendation based on store needs and suggest changes in policies and procedures. Also, provides regular updates to the MSU Bookstore, Inc. Board of Directors.

15. Stays up-to-date on trends in employment related to multi-generational communication and leadership.

16. Partners closely with the Marketing Director to produce and distribute relevant internal and external marketing materials such as the MSU Bookstore catalog and Employee Newsletter.

17. Serves at Bookstore lead in the CEO’s absence both internally and with those outside of the organization.

18. Required to work cash registers, evening, weekends, and special event shifts in support of the business as needed.

19. Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

· Commitment to the MSU Bookstore team and mission, and the ability to support the mission of MSU Bookstore and lead others in support of that mission.

· A commitment to implementing industry best-practices at MSU Bookstore

· Strong communication skills with an emphasis on the ability to communicate the mission of MSU Bookstore to students, faculty, and staff.

· Ability to work independently in a high-stress, fast-paced environment, meeting required deadlines.

· Demonstrated creativity and ability to rapidly adapt/anticipate changing market conditions.

· Strong organizational skills, with the ability to multi-task

· Demonstrated knowledge of ecommerce processes, ordering, receiving, etc.

· Demonstrated knowledge of POS systems

· Understanding of retail financial models, GAAP, profit and loss, and budgeting processes

· Ability to understand and create high-level sell-through, sales forecast, adoption timeline, and profitability reporting, and an understanding of rental accounting models.

· Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.

· Travel for 1-3 weeks per year for conferences and training

· Willingness to put team above self in all situations.

Preferred Requirements

· Bachelor’s degree and 2 or more years’ progressive experience in a course materials department with full time and student staff, preferably in a large-store environment

· Familiarity with NetSuite and database platforms

· Knowledge/experience using VERBA tools.

· Knowledge/experience using Redshelf

· Understanding of non-traditional course materials models including e-books, rental (in-house or with multi-partner), inclusive access/LMS integration, OER, and securing copyright for digitizing, with a willingness to embrace and develop alternative models as the opportunity arises.

· Knowledge of HEA as it applies to the course materials requirements on campus.

· Experience working in a 501(c3) non-profit corporation or Co-op.

· Experience with various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 5 years

Shift:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Morning shift

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday
• Rotating weekends
• Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bozeman, MT: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Retail management: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person