If you have a vacancy that you wish to have posted, please email [email protected]Western A.S. Bookstore - General Manager
Job Number: 501898 Location: Bellingham, WA Screening Begins: August 12th, 2024 - Will be open until the position is filled. Position Summary:
Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, is looking for an experienced General Manager for their campus bookstore. The bookstore supports the educational mission of the University by providing academic resource materials for students and faculty using a competitive model that strives to provide affordable course materials, including rentals, IA, OER, course packs, and traditional textbooks, as well as art, school, and office supplies. The store plays a key role in promoting collegiate pride and connection to the university through sale of its branded apparel and merchandise. Three years ago, the bookstore switched from Sequoia to PrismRBS and is still facing some challenges with making the new POS system work as optimally as possible. The ideal candidate is an experienced university store manager with a strong track record of increasing revenues and putting stores on strong financial footing. They are responsible for strategic and operational leadership, financial analysis and management, campus relationships, and creating a team atmosphere among the staff and student employees by utilizing a collaborative management approach. In an effort to address the financial challenges experienced in recent years, the bookstore just underwent a viability assessment. The resulting report found that the store’s operations and facility were sound and that the institutional store model was best suited for the future, provided the bookstore team manages to take advantage of the various opportunities for expanded and diversified sales growth. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please go to the Western Employment Hub. The University is hoping for the management transition to happen as soon as possible – review of applications will start on August 12, 2024. Position is open until filled. The hiring range for the position is $95,660 - $110,009/year. Through longevity the position tops out at $124,358/year.
General Job Description: The Bookstore Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership and operations of the WWU Bookstore. The Bookstore supports the educational mission of the University by providing academic resource materials for students and faculty using a competitive model that strives to provide affordable course materials and accompanying academic support materials as well as art, school and office supplies. The store plays a key role in promoting collegiate pride and connection to the university through sale of its branded apparel and merchandise. The Manager is responsible for facilitating and promoting the store as a resource for students and faculty. Market analysis and strategic marketing of all store merchandise is a key priority. The Manager is responsible for implementation of new ideas and processes to strategically lead the Bookstore in a diverse and evolving market. They will utilize industry best practices and metrics to improve performance and service. The Manager creates a team atmosphere among the staff and student employees, utilizing a collaborative management approach encouraging contributions from employees toward organizational goals, and the employees’ growth and development. The Manager practices a strong and clear communication style that engages employees and allows for transparent decision-making, while ensuring that there are open and continuous feedback and assessment opportunities. As an independent campus store, the Bookstore actively works to control the price of materials while maintaining a self-supporting operation. In partnership with the Associated Students (AS), the Bookstore integrates feedback and recommendations regarding policies and services. Annual net proceeds are shared with the AS for student programs. Approximately 60% of the $3.5 million annual overall gross sales are related to course materials. The Bookstore utilizes PrismRBS, Banner, Verba/VitalSource software to facilitate textbook adoptions, sales and operations in conjunction with Canvas, the University’s Learning Management System. The store is a resource to, and partners closely with, campus departments and faculty throughout the course material selection process to offer new and used materials, rentals, e-books, and inclusive access titles. The Bookstore currently has 11 permanent staff positions and averages about 20 student employees. The store is situated within the student union building on WWU’s Bellingham campus and also serves distance learning and off-site programs, but has no physical satellite operations. Online sales are offered and store marketing utilizes social media. See Bookstore website: www.bookstore.wwu.edu The Bookstore is part of the Division of Enrollment and Student Services, which includes the following departments: Academic Advising, Admissions, Athletics, Campus Recreation, Career Services, The Centers (Student Access, Community &Intercultural Engagement including Multicultural Student Services, Disability Access Center, LGBTQ+ Western), Child Development Center, Health Center, Counseling & Wellness, Financial Aid, New Student Services/Family Outreach, Registrar's Office, Student Life and , Student Success Initiatives, University Residences and Dining Services, the Viking Union, Student Activities, Associated Students, and Veteran Services. Division website: https://vpess.wwu.edu Jobs in Other Areas |