Visual Merchandising Team Manager - University of N Iowa Bookstore

Follett Higher Education; Cedar Falls (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, & Vision

Voluntary Insurance plans

401k + 100% company match (up to 4%)

80 hours vacation + sick days

10 paid company holidays

Quarterly Bonus Plan

Job summary

Follett Higher Education is seeking a Department Manager General Merchandise (GM) to lead the General Merchandise department at a large campus store. You will supervise staff, manage RTV processes, assist customers, handle special orders, and drive promotions with the Home Office to meet financial and marketing objectives.

You will collaborate with Store Operations, HR, and Training to ensure excellent customer experiences.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• 3-5 years of retail supervisory experience; computer literacy.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) are required.
• Previous supervisory/management experience is required.
• General computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervises the employees of the department, including assigning and evaluating work as well as interviewing, hiring, and training new employees.
• Supervises the Home Office-regulated Return-to-Vendor (RTV) receiving and scanning processes.
• Assists customers in finding products.
• Manages the special order functions and notifies customers.
• Partners to create and maintain a Hassle Free customer service culture, focused on solutions-based selling and an exceptional customer experience.
• Builds key partnerships with other store staff and campus organizations for promotional and special events and assists with off-site sales opportunities (e.g., graduation, basketball, football, author signings, etc.).
• Conducts store walkthroughs daily to ensure proper stock levels, inventory placement, and customer service levels.
• Manages the in-store merchandise display from the stockroom to the sales floor, serving as the liaison between the Store and the Planner.
• Creates and maintains displays in compliance with company standards.
• Executes Home Office-initiated markups and markdowns, analyzes financial reports, processes purchase orders, and approves invoices.
• Partners with the Store Manager to execute promotions and sales and ensures proper inventory levels based on sales and trends.
• May perform website maintenance and fill orders. Maintains price accuracy and merchandise availability on the store website.
• Responds to student, faculty, staff, alumni, and other customer questions and issues resolving escalated issues as necessary.
• May manage the store in the store manager's absence or occasionally supervise other departments.
• May open or close the store.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Retail supervisory experience

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Join the Follett Team, where employees are valued, respected, and offered career paths throughout its many campus locations. Follett serves over half of the students in the United States and works with 80,000 schools as a leading provider of education technology, services, and print and digital content. We're higher education's largest campus retailer and a hub for school spirit and community as we operate nearly 1,200 local campus stores and over 1,600 virtual stores across the continent. We take pride in the fact that for more than 140 years, we have been helping to improve people's lives by supporting a lifetime of learning and education.

Pay Rate - $18.00 - $21.00 per hour

Position Overview

The Department Manager General Merchandise (GM) manages the General Merchandise department at a large store, including managing employee activities to meet the financial and marketing objectives of the company. Coordinates sales promotions with the Home Office and manages execution in the store. This position also assists customers and suggests the selection of products based on knowledge of current products, familiarity with offerings, and customer interactions. Demonstrates strong knowledge of Follett systems and strategies (Included Program, Academic Tools, System Integrations, etc.), the industry, and the competitive landscape to execute initiatives, drive profitable sales, and control expenses. Effectively executes company programs and initiatives. Ensures compliance with company policies and procedures. Partners with various support partners, including Store Operations, RCMS, AP, HR, and Training. Consistently demonstrates Follett Values - Integrity, Accountability, Customers, Each and Every Associate, Innovation, and Teamwork. Demonstrates proficiency in Follett Strategic Competencies.

Responsibilities

• Supervises the employees of the department, including assigning and evaluating work as well as interviewing, hiring, and training new employees.
• Supervises the Home Office-regulated Return-to-Vendor (RTV) receiving and scanning processes.
• Assists customers in finding products.
• Manages the special order functions and notifies customers.
• Partners to create and maintain a Hassle Free customer service culture, focused on solutions-based selling and an exceptional customer experience.
• Builds key partnerships with other store staff and campus organizations for promotional and special events and assists with off-site sales opportunities (e.g., graduation, basketball, football, author signings, etc.).
• Conducts store walkthroughs daily to ensure proper stock levels, inventory placement, and customer service levels.
• Manages the in-store merchandise display from the stockroom to the sales floor, serving as the liaison between the Store and the Planner.
• Creates and maintains displays in compliance with company standards.
• Executes Home Office-initiated markups and markdowns, analyzes financial reports, processes purchase orders, and approves invoices.
• Partners with the Store Manager to execute promotions and sales and ensures proper inventory levels based on sales and trends.
• May perform website maintenance and fill orders. Maintains price accuracy and merchandise availability on the store website.
• Responds to student, faculty, staff, alumni, and other customer questions and issues resolving escalated issues as necessary.
• May manage the store in the store manager's absence or occasionally supervise other departments.
• May open or close the store.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Follett Higher Education is a drug-free workplace environment.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of retail supervisory experience; computer literacy.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) are required.
• Previous supervisory/management experience is required.
• General computer skills.

Full time benefits:

• Medical, Dental, & Vison
• Voluntary Insurance plans
• 401k + 100% company match (up to 4%)
• 80 hours vacation + sick days
• 10 paid company holidays
• Quarterly Bonus Plan

Equal Opportunity Employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.