Course Materials Buyer

Missouri State University; Springfield (MA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Missouri State University seeks a Course Materials Buyer for its Springfield Campus. The role involves processing book adoptions, inventory management, and customer service in collaboration with departmental staff. This full-time position requires strong organizational skills and two years of applicable experience, with a salary rate of $16.35 to $19 per hour.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or its equivalent is required.
• Two years of experience in buying and inventory control required.
• Understanding of inventory control and familiarity with applications is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Process book adoptions and manage purchases of textbooks.
• Collaborate with Course Materials Manager on pricing and digital content.
• Provide customer service and oversee book return processes.

Skills

Understanding of inventory control

Familiarity with word processing applications

Familiarity with spreadsheet applications

Familiarity with database applications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The first date of consideration is June 23, 2025, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Position Information

Position Title

Work Location

Work Location Springfield Campus

Department

Department Bookstore

HR Home Department

HR Home Department 085000 BOOKSTORE

Pay Grade

Pay Grade 13

Proposed Salary

Proposed Salary $16.35 - $19/hour

Sponsorship Information

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees?

Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees? No, Position is available to all applicants.

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Full Time Regular

Exempt/Non-Exempt

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

General Function

The Course Materials Buyer processes book adoptions and determines the number of textbooks to be purchased from publishers, wholesalers, and end-of-the-semester buyback operations and the mix of new and used textbooks to be purchased. Buyer will be responsible to work in collaboration with the Course Materials Manager to confirm pricing and duration, coordinate and set-up digital content for the campus Digital Access program(s). The Course Materials Buyer prepares want-lists and buyback lists, processes purchase orders for textbooks, reviews and adjusts the open-to-buy calculation, and places the orders. The Course Materials Buyer oversees the production of coursepacks and obtains copyright clearances. The Course Materials Buyer provides customer service, processes returns of damaged or incorrectly shipped books, resolves shortages and overages, prepares shelf tags, monitors expiring invoice returns, oversees the book return process, and initiates sending book adoption forms to faculty each semester.

Description of Primary Duties

The Course Materials Buyer processes book adoptions and determines the number of textbooks to be purchased from publishers, wholesalers, and end-of-the-semester buyback operations and the mix of new and used textbooks to be purchased. Buyer will be responsible to work in collaboration with the Course Materials Manager to confirm pricing and duration, coordinate and set-up digital content for the campus Digital Access program(s). The Course Materials Buyer prepares want-lists and buyback lists, processes purchase orders for textbooks, reviews and adjusts the open-to-buy calculation, and places the orders. The Course Materials Buyer oversees the production of coursepacks and obtains copyright clearances. The Course Materials Buyer provides customer service, processes returns of damaged or incorrectly shipped books, resolves shortages and overages, prepares shelf tags, monitors expiring invoice returns, oversees the book return process, and initiates sending book adoption forms to faculty each semester. #LI-CP1

Description of Primary Duties The Course Materials Buyer processes book adoptions and determines the number of textbooks to be purchased from publishers, wholesalers, and end-of-the-semester buyback operations and the mix of new and used textbooks to be purchased. Buyer will be responsible to work in collaboration with the Course Materials Manager to confirm pricing and duration, coordinate and set-up digital content for the campus Digital Access program(s). The Course Materials Buyer prepares want-lists and buyback lists, processes purchase orders for textbooks, reviews and adjusts the open-to-buy calculation, and places the orders. The Course Materials Buyer oversees the production of coursepacks and obtains copyright clearances. The Course Materials Buyer provides customer service, processes returns of damaged or incorrectly shipped books, resolves shortages and overages, prepares shelf tags, monitors expiring invoice returns, oversees the book return process, and initiates sending book adoption forms to faculty each semester. #LI-CP1

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Education: A high school diploma or its equivalent is required.

Experience: Two years of experience in buying and inventory control is required.

Skills: An understanding of inventory control is required. Familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications is required.

Other: Occasional lifting of up to fifty pounds is required.

Additional Qualifications

Link to Job Description

Link to Job Description http://www.missouristate.edu/human/jobdescriptions/21625.htm

Open Date

Open Date 06/03/2025

Close Date (If Close Date is blank then the posting is considered open until filled)

Special Instructions to Applicants

The first date of consideration is June 23, 2025, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Non-Discrimination Statement



Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.




This policy shall not be interpreted in a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America.




The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Inquiries concerning the complaint/grievance procedure related to discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines, should be addressed to the Director, Office for Institutional Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65897, [e-mail] , 417-836-4252.

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this vacancy?
  • Indeed
  • Linkedin
  • Missouri State University Website
  • Google
  • Employee Referral
  • Job Alerts
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Personal Contacts / Networking
  • Job Board (CareerBuilder.com, Monster, etc.)
  • Other
• * Please specify the recruitment source where you located this posting. If you selected Employee Referral above, please list the name of the current MSU employee who referred you.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have strong computer skills and familiarity with computerized inventory systems?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a minimum of two years buying and inventory control experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Provide details on your experience in buying and/or inventory control using computer systems.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Please share your experience with digital books, and more specifically, digital course materials.

  (Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
Optional Documents
• Unofficial Transcripts - 1
• Letter of Recommendation-1 (Non-confidential)
• Letter of Recommendation-2 (Non-confidential)
• Other Documents -1

If you have questions:
Office of Human Resources
(t)417-836-5102
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


If you have student employment questions:
Student Employment Services
(t)417-836-5627
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.