Buyer - Associate jobs in Laramie, WY

JOB TITLE:   

Buyer, Textbooks - University Store 

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Store Director, the Course Materials Buyer is responsible for the procurement and time-critical provision of all course materials for all academic programs at The University of Wyoming.  The position will enhance the student learning experience through careful engagement with faculty in selecting course materials in all formats, strengthening campus community relationships, and supporting the strategic role of the University Store's mission.  Additionally, this position supervises the general book department (non-course materials) and assists with opening and/or closing of the store.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise the textbook area; assess needs and future planning of area; purchase all new and used textbooks for all academic areas; maintain inventory and records.
• Resolve customer and vendor problems in obtaining items or refusing orders, tracking shipments, meeting deadlines, and procuring special order items.
• Properly price all textbooks.
• Sell and process textbooks electronically.
• Process invoices, credits; receive, record and tabulate all necessary financial and inventory control information.
• Advise and assist faculty and staff on procedures/policies relative to new and used textbook procurement.
• Supervise personnel, financial, and operational aspects of the textbook area.
• Recommend procedural changes for area; assist in development and maintenance of operational guidelines for area.
• Interpret policy and procedures to support staff and patrons.
• Work with vendor representatives to secure advantageous pricing.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

• Recommend hiring, training, supervising and evaluating support staff; maintain scheduling of staff; provide and/or arrange for backup in areas as necessary.

COMPETENCIES:

• Technical/Professional Knowledge
• Conflict Management
• Service Orientation
• Negotiation
• Work Tempo
• Judgment 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:      

Knowledge of:

• Purchasing procedures. 
• Retail management principles and practices. 
• Staff hiring procedures. 
• Customer service standards and procedures. 
• Academic bookstore operations. 
• Trends and cycles in the sale of university course material. 
• Retail inventory control, gross margin analysis, and discounting principles. 
• Budgeting, cost estimating, and fiscal management principles and procedures. 
• Federal, state, and local regulations for the operation of a retail establishment. 
• Financial/business analysis techniques. 
• Procurement rules and regulations. 
• Textbook vendors and procurement procedures. 
• Retail floor merchandising and stock control procedures.
• Purchase orders and related accounts payable documentation.    

Skills and Abilities to:

• Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing. 
• Organize and maintain records. 
• Receive, stock, and deliver goods. 
• User computers, preferably in a PC, Windows-based operating environment. 
• Work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. 
• Budget preparation and fiscal management. 
• Foster a cooperative work environment. 
• Develop and maintain record keeping systems and procedures. 
• Make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments. 
• Supervise and train staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments. 
• Resolve customer complaints and concerns. 
• Organize resources and establish priorities. 
• Examine and re-engineer operations and procedures, formulate policy, and develop and implement new strategies and procedures.  

Working Location: 

This position provides vital support to campus customers and requires the successful candidate be available to work on campus.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Experience:  2 years work-related experience

Required licensure, certification, registration or other requirements:  Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the University Vehicle Use Policy. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Retail experience in a buying or management position

• Strong attention to detail

• Experience in customer service standards

• Ability to work within a team

• Experience with a variety of computer systems including point of sale and inventory control processes

• Ability to understand, manipulate and analyze data, and solve problems

• Ability to interact well with multiple levels of people including faculty, staff, administrators, students and vendors

• Experience with the time-sensitive provision of materials

• Experience recruiting, selecting, training, supervising, motivating and evaluating staff

• Experience providing excellent customer service in a retail environment and training others to do the same

• Verbal and written communication skills to interact clearly, courteously and effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds

• Skill to develop and implement promotional plans

• Experience with retail display and promotion techniques

• Skill to organize work effectively to achieve timely progress on multiple simultaneous tasks, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of productivity in the management of staff

• Resolve customer complaints and concerns

REQUIRED MATERIALS:  

Complete the online application and upload the following for a complete application: cover letter, resume or C.V. and contact information for four work-related references.  

HIRING STATEMENT:  

UW is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer (UW Reg 4-1). The University does not discriminate in employment or personnel practices on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry, political belief, pregnancy, or any other protected category or participation in any protected activity.  In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please call 307-766-2377 or email jobapps@uwyo.edu.

ABOUT LARAMIE:

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a town of 30,000 in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research and outreach. The university has state-of-the-art facilities in many areas and the community provides the advantages of a major university.

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range, a bustling group of metropolitan cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. This beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/