MANAGER / CMU BOOKSTORE

Central Michigan University; Mount Pleasant (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI seeks a Campus Bookstore Manager to lead all bookstore operations, including budgeting, merchandising, e-commerce, and staff management. You will drive strategic initiatives to improve affordability of materials, ensure compliance, and enhance the student experience.

The role requires significant experience in college bookstores, strong leadership, and a passion for service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education/experience equating to four years; preferably in business admin with emphasis in management and accounting.
• Five years’ experience in the college bookstore industry.
• Three years’ experience as manager or assistant manager.
• Experience hiring and training new personnel.
• Ability to move/handle merchandise up to 50 pounds.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively.
• Master’s degree (optional for preferred candidates).
• Procurement, sale and management experience in non-text areas; knowledge of PRISM, SAP, and e-commerce.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and overall direction for the campus bookstore.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term operational goals and budgets.
• Analyze sales, expenses, margins, and KPIs to ensure financial performance.
• Establish pricing, merchandising and promotional strategies to maximize revenue.
• Oversee purchasing, inventory control, and vendor relationships.
• Recruit, hire, and supervise professional, support, and student staff; provide development.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and copyright/publisher agreements.
• Collaborate with departments for campus events and program support.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business administration/management

Master’s degree

Tools

PRISM bookstore management system

SAP accounting system

Internet technology / e-commerce knowledge

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Position Information

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number S-4005

Position Number

Position Number 41400

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment INTERNAL

Position Title

Position Title MANAGER / CMU BOOKSTORE

Position Summary

The bookstore manager is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic planning, and administration of the campus bookstore, ensuring efficient operations that support the academic mission and student experience of the university. The manager provides oversight of all retail operations, including financial management, merchandising, inventory control, course materials, customer service, marketing, e-commerce, and personnel management. The position develops and implements operational strategies that promote fiscal sustainability, enhance customer satisfaction, and support institutional goals. The manager is also responsible for establishing policies, procedures, and internal controls that ensure compliance with university regulations, applicable laws, and industry best practices. Additionally, this position oversees budget development and management, analyzes operational and financial performance, negotiates vendor relationships, and identifies opportunities to improve services, increase revenue, and enhance operational efficiency. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, vendors, and campus partners, the manager ensures the timely availability of course materials, branded merchandise, technology products, and other retail offerings that meet the needs of the university community. The manager also provides leadership and supervision to professional, support, and student employees, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, exceptional customer service, and continuous improvement. This position serves as the primary representative of the campus store and provides leadership in advancing initiatives that contribute to student success, institutional priorities, and the long-term financial health of the campus retail operation.

• Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education and experience that equates to fours years, preferably in business administration with an emphasis in management and accounting.
• Five years of experience in the college bookstore industry.
• Three years of experience serving as manager or assistant manager.
• Demonstrated experience in hiring and training new personnel.
• Ability to move or handle merchandise throughout the store weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Demonstrated positive interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and project a positive image.

• Master’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience in the procurement, sale, and management of non-text areas (trade books and general merchandise).
• Demonstrated experience with and working knowledge of the PRISM bookstore management system.
• Knowledge of internet technology, design maintenance, and promotion of websites/e-commerce.
• Working knowledge of an SAP accounting system.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and overall direction for the campus bookstore in support of the university’s mission, strategic plan, and student success initiatives.
• Develops and implements short- and long-term operational goals, business plans, and performance measures to ensure the financial sustainability and growth of the store.
• Evaluates industry trends, emerging technologies, and customer needs to identify opportunities for innovation and operational improvement.
• Develops, implements, and maintains departmental policies, procedures, and internal controls that promote operational excellence and accountability.
• Develops, administers, and monitors the annual operating budget and long-term financial plans.
• Analyzes sales, revenue, expenses, gross margins, inventory turnover, and other key performance indicators to ensure sound financial performance.
• Works with the assistant director of the bookstore to establish pricing, merchandising, and promotional strategies that maximize revenue while supporting affordability for students.
• Oversees cash management, financial reporting, reconciliations, and compliance with university financial policies and internal controls.
• Prepares financial forecasts, reports, and presentations for university leadership.
• Ensures efficient operational workflows that provide exceptional service to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and campus visitors.
• Monitors operational performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Ensures facilities, equipment, and retail spaces are maintained in a safe, attractive, and customer-friendly condition.
• Leads initiatives that improve affordability and accessibility of course materials, including inclusive access, digital content, rental, and used textbook programs.
• Ensures compliance with applicable copyright laws and publisher agreements.
• Establishes merchandise assortment strategies that support the university brand and meet customer demand.
• Oversees purchasing, receiving, inventory control, pricing, markdowns, and clearance activities.
• Monitors inventory investment and turnover while minimizing shrinkage and obsolete inventory.
• Ensures accurate inventory records through physical inventories, cycle counts, and established internal controls.
• Recruits, hires, supervises, develops, and evaluates professional staff, support staff, and student employees.
• Fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous learning.
• Establishes performance expectations and provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensures staffing levels appropriately support operational demands throughout the academic year.
• Establishes and maintains productive relationships with publishers, wholesalers, apparel vendors, technology suppliers, licensing partners, and service providers.
• Negotiates contracts, pricing, and service agreements that maximize value for the university.
• Evaluates vendor performance and ensure contractual obligations are met.
• Develops and oversee marketing strategies, promotional campaigns, and special events that increase customer engagement and sales.
• Collaborates with university departments to support campus events, student programs, athletics, orientation, commencement, and other institutional initiatives.
• Promotes the campus store as an integral resource for the university community.
• Oversees bookstore management systems, point-of-sale systems, inventory software, and e-commerce operations.
• Evaluates and implement technology solutions that improve operational efficiency and enhance the customer experience.
• Utilizes data analytics to support strategic decision-making and operational planning.
• Ensures compliance with university policies, purchasing regulations, financial procedures, safety requirements, and applicable federal and state laws.
• Develops and maintains effective internal controls related to cash handling, inventory management, purchasing, and financial reporting.
• Coordinates internal and external audits and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Ensures compliance with licensing agreements, trademark standards, and university branding requirements.
• Builds collaborative relationships with faculty, academic departments, student organizations, athletics, alumni, advancement, and administrative units.
• Represents the store on university committees and strategic initiatives.
• Provides consultation and support to campus departments regarding merchandise, promotional products, and retail services.
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators to evaluate operational effectiveness.
• Conducts periodic assessments of customer satisfaction, financial performance, inventory productivity, and service quality.
• Leads continuous improvement efforts that enhance efficiency, customer experience, and financial outcomes.
• Represents the university in professional organizations, conferences, and industry associations.
• Maintains awareness of trends and best practices in higher education retail operations.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of the mission and objectives of the university.

Supervision Exercised

Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. The Leadership Standards define how we lead and treat others on our team. As leaders, it is our responsibility to seek input from our teams to continuously improve our leadership abilities and our demonstration of the standards. Additionally, it is our responsibility to encourage and support the growth and development of those whom we lead. At CMU, we encourage employees to grow both personally and professionally, and thus advance CMU’s culture of excellence.

Message to Applicants

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards. You must submit an online application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee. This posting is open to internal applicants only. To determine if you are considered an internal applicant, please read the definition HERE.

Employee Group

Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary

Pay Range

Pay Range $55,000 - $75,000 per year

Division

Division Finance and Administrative Services

Department

Department CMU Bookstore

Position Status

Position Status Regular

Position End Date

Employment Status

Employment Status Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.00

Position Type

Position Type 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule

Weekly Work Schedule Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed

Location

Location Mount Pleasant, MI

About the Department

About CMU

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.
We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence.
CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more.
Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.
CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant.
Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference.
We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams.
Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.

CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:
Phone: [phone]
Office: 103 E. Preston St.
Bovee University Center, suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: [e-mail]

Posting Ends 11/12/2026

Open Until Filled No

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you first learn of this job opportunity? Please list the specific advertising source or indicate if it was word of mouth.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you currently an internal employee of CMU according to the university’s definition?
  • Yes
  • No
• * If yes, to which employee group do you belong? (If not applicable, select "Not Applicable").
  • Not Applicable
  • Administrative Office Assistant
  • Dispatcher
  • Lieutenant
  • Medical Faculty
  • P&A, SO or Faculty
  • Police
  • Public Broadcasting
  • Sergeant
  • Service Maintenance
  • Supervisory/Technical
• * Do you have a bachelor's degree or a combination of education and experience that equates to fours years, preferably in business administration with emphasis in management and accounting?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have at least five years of experience in the college bookstore industry?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have at least three years of experience serving as the manager or assistant manager of a store overseeing an annual inventory of $5 million?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have experience in hiring and training new personnel?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Supervisors are expected to support the Leadership Standards of Central Michigan University and foster a culture that inspires excellence. Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position and click "Yes" if you understand and support the culture that is important to CMU.
  • Yes
  • No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

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