Gift and Soft Goods Buyer Posting Details Posting Number S00630 Position Title Gift and Soft Goods Buyer Position Status Full-time Campus Western University Campus-Pomona, CA Department 5801-Bookstore Job Summary The primary purpose of this position is to procure and present customized gift and soft good merchandise. This is necessary for the operation of the University Bookstore, the marketing and promotion of the University brand. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Individuals must possess the knowledge, as well as the following skills and abilities or be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. 1. Good computer skills necessary to set up document formats and customized artwork in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Illustrator, Photoshop and other computer programs required by this position. Basic Knowledge of Microsoft Expression Web 4 preferred. 2. Must have excellent customer service skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively and professionally interact with vendors, administration, faculty, staff, and students. 3. Must have basic mathematical skills in addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and percentages. 4. A strong knowledge of retail practices in a traditional store, college or university retail environment. 5. Must be able to use creative thinking for problem solving. 6. Must be able to work in a changing, busy environment where priorities and deadlines are constantly changing and being re-evaluated. 7. Must be able to meet deadlines by prioritizing and scheduling your workload. 8. Must be able to type. Familiarity with industry and job specific terminology is helpful. 9. Must be able to travel to various locations for educational training, buying opportunities and to provide support to any satellite bookstore locations. Required Qualifications EDUCATION : Any combination of education, training or experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job. High school diploma required EXPERIENCE : A minimum of 3 years in customer service, 1 year of buying and receiving merchandise or a combination of some experience in any of the above. Must be able to design and submit requested artwork to the customer and vendor. Preferred Qualifications Preferred applicant has university or college bookstore experience in purchasing custom imprinted gift items and soft-goods. Experience working with WinPrism P.O.S. system. List comments regarding work hours Flexibility necessary to be able to work overtime when other employees are out due to illness, vacation, and/or during peak seasons. Buyer must be available to work during the months of June, July, and August as well as other peak periods. Vacation requests made during this time will not be approved. Occasional Saturday and evening shifts will occur on a rotating basis. Must be able to travel to various locations for educational training, buying opportunities and to provide support to any satellite bookstore locations. Posting Date 08/31/2018 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Essential Job Duties Job Duty - Work with vendors on a daily basis to keep the Bookstore stocked with merchandise such as generic and custom imprinted soft-goods and gift items. -Continually communicates with vendors regarding product, pricing, minimums, terms, graphics, shipping, barcoding, digital imagery and other vendor related concerns. -Meet with vendors to determine sales trends and best sellers. -Corresponds with prospective vendors on an ongoing basis and communicates status in review process. -Communicate with staff to obtain orders for custom soft-goods and gift items as needed. Follow-up on an as needed basis throughout the year. Custom and stock orders must be quoted in a timely manner and adhere to Western University of Health Science graphic standard. - Receive, process, and stock all merchandise that has been ordered on a daily basis. Unsold or defective merchandise that is eligible to be returned should be done in accordance to each vendors specific return policy. - Communicates with bookstore supervisors regarding the development of new business obtaining the best price while maintaining the established budget and margin. Percentage Of Time 50 Essential Job Duties Job Duty - Assist in the fulfilling of website orders by accessing PrismWeb portal. This includes pulling the stock, processing the payment and packaging the merchandise for shipment as requested. - Actively pursue promotional opportunities presented by the various vendors. This includes but is not limited to vendor- supported discounts, raffle prizes and gift in kind opportunities. - Perform routine maintenance of assigned sections making sure the area is safe, clean and well stocked. -Add, update and maintain products on bookstore website using PrismWeb portal. Percentage Of Time 25 Essential Job Duties Job Duty - Assist with cashier duties as scheduled and provide back-up support throughout the day as necessary, includes providing customer service to guests in the store and on the telephone. - Assist other Bookstore Buyers when they are absent from the store or during peak selling times as needed. Percentage Of Time 15 Essential Job Duties Job Duty - Assist with the opening and closing procedures including turning on the lights, computers and cash registers, straightening the store and tabulating the receipts from the cash register at closing. These duties occur daily, sometimes more frequently during peak operating times. - Assist in the preparation and conducting of the Bookstores physical inventory. - Performs other duties as assigned. Percentage Of Time 10 Physical Demands Physical Demands Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes If yes, list maximum weight and duration The physical demands described here are representative of those that any employee must meet too successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to operate a PC in the performance of job duties, and talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and reach with hands and arms, and occasionally required to walk, stoop, and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus. 95% of our merchandise comes in boxes of a maximum of 40 lbs., which you would lift for approximately 1 minute. For boxes received over this weight, the use of a hand truck is available or there is the option of emptying the box in place. At times must be able to utilize an 8 rolling ladder while assisting customers and stocking merchandise. Describe Work Environment Normally these duties are performed in a typical retail setting. The noise level in this setting is typically low to moderate. Primary work environment will be the sales floor and register area. You will assist customers, lift merchandise, use a computer to look up prices and verify stock. You will be on your feet for 40% of your shift. Applicant Documents Required Documents Resume Letter of Recommendation #1 Optional Documents Cover Letter Additional Applicant Document