Book Buyer

Department – Bookshop and 1853 Gallery

Location – Salts Mill, Saltaire, West Yorkshire

Reports to – Bookshop and Galleries Manager

Purpose of Post

Reporting to the Bookshop and Galleries Manager, plan and buy books for Salts Mill. Lead on the Bookshop and Gallery book offer, ensuring that it is in line with and enhances Salts Mill ethos, current trends and arts programming.

The Right Candidate will be/have

• Passionate about books and reading books covering a broad range on interests.
• Up to date with current book trends such as bookTok and the Booker Prizes.
• Quickly responds to business needs.
• Keen interest in utilising a thriving online shop to develop book sales and current trends.
• Driven by selling our books, analysing sales data and customer feedback.
• Self-motivated with a strong drive.
• Willing to listen, learn and develop.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively within a small management team.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Source and deliver an innovative and commercially driven book range across all departments and all subjects.
• Ensure the book offer responds to current trends, arts programming and wider seasonal opportunities.
• Manage expenditure on all bookshop and Gallery stock except children’s books, in consultation with the bookshop and galleries manager.
• To manage and monitor book stock levels, identify sales patterns and stock adjustments.
• Proactively seek and build upon existing relationships with suppliers and books reps, helping build on Salts Mills positioning as a destination bookshop. Where relevant, adding rarities and signed titled to our online shop.
• Negotiate with suppliers to ensure robust margins on books are maintained and monitored.
• Manage, arrange and assist with the creation of all new titles and book returns.
• Oversee all administrative duties including invoicing and supplier credits. To liaise with suppliers to resolve problems or irregularities in ordering, such as incorrect invoicing or discounts.

Additional Requirements

• Working on the shop floor to interact and understand our customer’s needs.
• The role includes regular weekend and bank holiday working. Working from home is not possible.  

Closing date Friday 26th July 2024.