General Merchandise Buyer-irsc River Shop/bookstore

Job Description

Working at IRSC has its perks In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, IRSC offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and Flexible Spending
- Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays
- Florida Retirement System (FRS) participation
- Voluntary participation in 403(b) and 457(b) deferred compensation plans

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:
The qualifications, knowledge, and skill requirements of this position include:

- Associate’s degree required from an accredited institution;
- Minimum of five (5) years of proven retail work experience;
- Proven work experience as a Customer Service Manager, Retail Manager or Assistant Manager;
- Experience in providing customer service support;
- Excellent knowledge of management methods and techniques;
- Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written;
- Valid Florida driver’s license;
- Knowledge of basic business management principles;
- Must be detail oriented and perform accurately under periods of stress;
- Ability to work independently with mínimal supervision and be self-motivated;
- A strong knowledge of soft goods and emblematic industry, control inventory stock, product selection, and the relationship between cost and retail based upon effect on sales mark downs, markup and shrinkage;
- Knowledge of retail cashiering functions, cashiering experience, retail security, and loss prevention measures;
- Knowledge of the methods and practices used in receiving, ordering, storing, packing, and shipping as well as pricing methods, merchandising, display, and sales and purchasing principles and practices utilized in retail operations;
- Ability to think strategically and to lead;
- Ability and strong desire to provide high standard of customer service with enthusiasm and energy;
- Reasoning and analytical thought applied while purchasing (cost, quantities, product turnover);

The following is preferred:

- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential job functions and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

- Communicating and interact with IRSC employees, other Bookstore staff and management, customers, and vendors;
- Assisting customers whether on the sales floor, by phone or electronically;
- Travelling to and from campus stores as well as travel in-state and out-of-state to industry related conferences as assigned;
- Assisting periodically with events and promotions as needed;
- Coordinating the sales floor setup, product placement, and data entry;
- Opening and closing the store as required including nights and weekends;
- Maintaining and prioritizing an orderly workflow;
- Maintaining website for general merchandise;
- Improving customer service through training;
- Taking ownership of customer service issues and follow through to resolution.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The specific duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

- Monitor and control monthly inventory stock levels, responsible for markdowns, markups and transfers, keeping abreast of buying trends and new products;
- Select, purchase, and complete inventory control of all soft goods, emblematic, supplies and commencement regalia;
- Ability to facilitate merchandise at Main and all branch campus stores with soft goods, supplies, and emblematic merchandise;
- Build and maintain working relationships with suppliers on product pricing, promotions, special orders, buy-backs and damages;
- Act as a representative of the bookstore on Commencement Committee(s);
- Organize and maintain storage room;
- Correspond with departments and maintain inventory of required supplies and uniforms to be sold;
- Oversee the operation of point of sale cash registers by all cashiers and ensure all transactions are handled professionally, accurately, and efficiently with attention to detail for proper inventory and cash-flow control;
- Provide regular on-the-job training, guidance, advice, and counsel to other employees in the work group;
- Coordinate, assign, and direct work of part-time staff;
- Assist with the hiring of Bookstore staff;
- Assist and support the Merchandise Display and/or Customer Service Team Lead position;
- Oversee the hours of part-time employees; assist where needed with payroll, performance evaluations, and other Human Resources related functions for Department staff;
- Develop new, imaginative, and innovative solutions, services, products, processes or programs as related to soft goods and emblematic merchandise;
- Ability to design, creative and appealing product displays;
- Complete data entry of invoices and purchase orders in the inventory management system in the required time frame;
- Maintain knowledge of point of sale system, inventory control program;
- Ass