Book Buyer

Position Summary and ResponsibilitiesWe seek an experienced book buyer, or someone with comparable experience, to procure books at volume from publishers for a growing institutional book wholesaler. This role will manage the purchasing lifecycle of juvenile, teen and adult trade and educational books for school and public library markets. They will also curate recommendations and promotional lists.

The right candidate must know and love books, have a pulse on the publishing industry, and proactively meet quarterly with publishers to stay abreast of frontlist and forthcoming titles. They must also apply a rigorous, analytical approach to buying in order to maximize publisher incentives. They need to be at ease with math, percentages, discounts, and financial terms, and must be highly adept at using spreadsheet tools, including writing formulas and performing calculations. Prior experience specifically as a Public Library Collection Development Buyer or an Independent Bookstore Buyer is strongly preferred. This role will compile orders, place orders, monitor order flow, and receive incoming shipments into inventory. They will also interface with librarians, booksellers, educators, and retailer clients, and with all departments and teams at Author’s Note’s growing Library Services division. We need a highly organized person who can keep tabs on a high volume of orders and create systematic processes to ensure great customer experiences and maximum customer engagement.

Requirements:

• Must be adept at learning and using software tools including ordering systems, inventory management tools, point of sale systems, and office applications
• Must be skillful in using Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, including the creation and use of formulas, lookups, reporting, and filters.
• Must be nimble in using Google Workspace, and must be able to organize and manage a high-volume email inbox.
• Clear, professional English language skills are needed for email communication with customers and colleagues.
• Must be a reader and a person who thrives upon staying informed of publisher catalogs and lists, Indie Next lists, bestseller lists, national book club picks, and hot titles and trends.
• Must be a startup-minded team player who brings kind and positive energy to work interactions, supports colleagues across departments, and aligns strongly with company vision and goals. Must be someone excited to occupy a crucial and central role in a growing organization.
• Must develop ordering, buying, and receiving processes that make sure orders and books don’t fall through the cracks.
• Must demonstrate a customer service mindset and a commitment to growing and maintaining strong customer relationships.
• Must be able to lift and carry 45 lb cases of books on a daily basis.

Interview

As part of the interview process, candidates will be given a writing evaluation, a basic mathematics (arithmetic) evaluation, and an evaluation of their ability to use spreadsheet tools and learn software applications. Use of AI tools for these exercises, or on the job in general, is not permitted.

About Author’s Note

Author’s Note is a warmly welcoming destination bookstore with all-new inventory across all ages and genres, as well as an inviting selection of cards, gifts, toys, and coffee. We run book clubs, author visits, school visits, offsite book fairs, and special events throughout the year and provide books for many schools, libraries, and conferences throughout the region.

About Author’s Note Library Services

Author’s Note Library Services provides library books and materials to school, public, and institutional libraries nationwide.

How to Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please use the cover letter to describe for us the experiences, skills, and interests that draw you to this role and how you think they will help you succeed as a book buyer. We would like your letter to give us a better sense of where you particularly shine. We would also like to get to know you as a reader, so please share some recent favorites and why you enjoyed them. Please be aware that we can tell when a cover letter is written with AI, and it does not serve your application favorably.

This hiring process will include reference checks; an offer of employment will be contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Pay: $18.00 - $23.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20.0 – 30.0 per week

Work Location: In person