MANAGER / CMU BOOKSTORE

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant (MI)

On-site

USD 55,000 - 75,000

Full time

32 hours ago

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Job summary

Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI seeks a Store Manager for the CMU Bookstore to lead operations, merchandising, inventory, and course materials. You will set strategic direction, manage budgets, and ensure exceptional customer service for students, faculty, and campus visitors.

You will oversee purchasing, pricing, vendor relationships, and compliance with university policies while building a team of professionals, support staff, and student employees.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with five years in college bookstore.
Three years as manager or assistant manager of a store with $5 million annual inventory.
Experience hiring and training personnel.
Working knowledge of textbooks and procurement, sale, and returns.
Preferred: Master’s degree; experience with PRISM, SAP, and ecommerce systems.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction for the campus store.
Develop and monitor operating budget and financial plans.
Oversee purchasing, inventory control, pricing, and merchandising.
Lead vendor relationships and contracts.
Ensure compliance with university policies and legal requirements.
Lead staff, including professional, support, and student employees.

Skills

Store operations leadership

Budgeting and financial analysis

Vendor negotiation

Staff training & development

Customer service focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and experience equating to four years, preferably in business administration

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

PRISM bookstore management system

SAP accounting system

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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 on-line 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.

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 Store Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic planning, and administration of the campus store, 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 Store Manager is responsible for establishing policies, procedures, and internal controls that ensure compliance with university regulations, applicable laws, and industry best practices. The Manager 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 Store 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 Manger provides leadership and supervision to professional, support, and student employees, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, exceptional customer service, and continuous improvement. The Store Manager 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.

Required Qualifications

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 of a store overseeing an annual inventory of $5 million. Demonstrated experience in hiring and training new personnel. Working knowledge of textbooks (new and used) and the procurement, sale, and return of textbooks. 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Duties & Responsibilities

Provides strategic leadership and overall direction for the campus store 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 campus 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 Assistant Director 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. Foster 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 maintain 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 campus 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.

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