Course Materials Buyer

Over 70% of the bookstore’s sales volume is from the Book Division, making it critical to the success of the bookstore. Additionally, providing textbooks and course materials to UCCS students directly supports the mission of the university by furthering the institution’s vision of advancing knowledge, making the Book Division an indispensable component of the student experience. It is the goal of the Book Division to provide textbooks and course materials on time, in the right quantities, at a reasonable price, and at an acceptable margin. This requires strategic planning and execution of early book adoptions, dynamic and early sourcing/buying for the best costs, accurate buyback to avoid unnecessary re-buys and freight expense, timely vendor returns for rebates and remuneration, providing lower cost rental options, and competitive market pricing. The Course Materials Buyer plays a key role in the Book Division. This position plans and manages textbook, reference book, and course packets printed at the campus print shop. Works within deadlines set for textbook adoptions, monitors class enrollments to provide appropriate quantities. Coordinates shipments of text and non-textbooks to comply with budget and receiving restrictions. The position is responsible for maintaining working relationships with a large variety of vendors and managing the returns process to increase competitiveness and profitability of the bookstore with the goal of supporting student success and strengthening the value of services provided by the bookstore. This position assists with the Day One Access program ensuring pricing complies with HEOA requirements, assists with pricing negotiation, assists with OER materials compilation and reporting, and customer support.

Who We Are:

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)  is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system and is home to over 9,500 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students.

Colorado Springs  (pop. 450K+) is situated at the base of Pikes Peak, offers many recreational and cultural activities and was recently ranked by U.S. News & World Report  as one of the top Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Job Duties:

Buying
Purchases new and used textbooks independently with a cost-conscious focus; recommends rental titles. Works within the timetables established by the Book Division Manager for ordering textbooks for multiple semesters, to allow books to be received prior to the start of each semester. This position ensures that merchandise inventories are in line with sales and makes ordering decisions based on previous sales histories and current enrollments. Implements efficiencies in ordering processing. Utilizes industry specific tools and software to provide students with competitive and reasonably priced book options and source books.

Pricing
This position determines the retail pricing on all new and used textbooks based on a pricing philosophy that is determined by market forces, industry standards, and strategic direction initiatives with increased affordability for student success in mind. This includes planning and overseeing the contacting of publishers to obtain pricing and availability information as well as lower cost format options. Position works through issues with purchase orders, rental titles, pricing, inventory, shipping costs, and credit memos to ensure that costs are monitored and controlled. Responsible for researching alternative sourcing methods to effectively lower costs and increase dynamic pricing potential. Manage competitive price changes and working with the Book Division Manager to improve the dynamic pricing strategy, again with affordability as a goal. Assists in protecting the financial stability of the department through responsible buying practices. Position selects vendors, determines sales floor designations in the book division and reallocates selling space as needed.

Day One Access
In collaboration with the Book Division Manager, helps negotiate, set, and monitor for HEOA compliance Day One Access courses. Responsible for tracking and updating in systems the HEOA compliance data. Work with vendors to establish pricing that is compliant for the program requirements. Assist with course set up in systems.

OER Reporting
Assists with ascertaining OER qualified course materials. Ensures all OER items are properly coded and reported to campus by the time students can register each term to be compliant with HB18-1331. Work with faculty and faculty liaison to ensure we are properly collecting and reporting data. Purchase print copies of OER as requested, necessary, and available. Work with Provost and library as necessary with OER opportunities, reporting and regulations.

Online Operations
Assist Book Division Manager with training, oversight, and operations of the online department students and operations. Coordinate with the Operations Manager especially on text processes and operations of the department under the direction of the Book Division Manager. Ensure the online order back order list is maintained, updated, and effectively communicate to team notes that need to be shared with customers. Correct inventory errors that occur in relation to online operations.

Buy Back and Rental Returns
Determines which wholesalers will be selected to participate in book buy-backs held periodically during the year, in consultation with the Book Division Manager for the purpose of purchasing books for inventory and wholesalers for credit. Assist Book Division Manager with the organization, marketing, scheduling, and execution of student book buyback and rental returns. Takes the lead in processing timely rental returns and return shipments to vendors providing rebates. Reconciles issues with rental books and rental shipments.

Marketing/PR
Works with the Book Division Manager and University Communications on the public relations information, advertising, and promotions of these departments. Merchandises and markets books.

Store Operations
Has store opening and closing duties. Closing duties may include securing cash at the end of the day, processing appropriate paperwork, and securing of physical inventory through careful closing procedures.

Budget and Inventory Management
This position ensures compliance with budget guidelines, departmental margins and inventory levels established by the store director when purchasing books. Responsible for the management of budgeted inventory levels and inventory control in the Book Division to support forecasted sales and maintain positive cash flow. This includes contacting publishers to reconcile delayed shipments, errors on orders, and to otherwise obtain information related to orders. Ensure efficient buying so that revenue goals are being reached and cost of goods sold percentage is on target. Ensures payment to publishers can be achieved by resolving any issues with invoicing/receiving and providing accounting with invoices and receiving documents on purchases in a timely manner. Position is expected to collect data needed in reporting sales figures, rental numbers, inventory levels or any other book related data needed by administration or public reporting or partner agencies. This position will write off any obsolete inventory and monitor invoicing to ensure timely returns to avoid additional obsolete inventory.

Returns
This position will ensure overstock textbook returns are processed in a timely manner, ensure credits are received and applied to publisher account so that buying decisions for each term can utilize vendor credits in a timely and efficient manner. This position will also ensure that rental returns are processed in a timely manner to include collecting on delinquent accounts.

Administrative Processes
Position is expected to, in collaboration with the Book Division Manager, develop, enhance, and implement policies and procedures related to the Book Division’s operations within the store. Position may also be called upon to assist with the development and implementation of general policies and practices within the bookstore.

Training
Position is expected to communicate customer service needs or issues with other store staff to ensure best possible customer service can be provided. Position is main point of contact for processing of Textbook Appeals from students. As purchases are based on the material entered into the POS system or otherwise relayed to the buyer, this position has the responsibility to oversee the data entry and provide feedback or training to ensure processes are followed and data is correctly entered to avoid order processing errors. Position will be responsible for training and managing student employees within the division. Position may train and oversee junior staff within the bookstore.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assist in the overall operation of the bookstore including the annual inventory processes and periodic discrepancy corrections, along with seasonal events throughout the year.
• Maintain knowledge of point of sale software and continue education on product enhancements and industry trends through various activities such as webinars and conferences as needed.
• Provide customer support including but not limited to assisting students find and purchase course material both in-store and online as well as helping customers to find any product or assistance outside of the course materials department.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Book Division Manager.

Job Competencies:

• Knowledge of textbook sourcing/purchasing/buying.
• Understanding how to achieve or exceed sales and margin targets.
• Knowledge of budgeting and cost control procedures.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Detail orientated.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions in accordance with organizational policies.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to accept and apply feedback and training.
• Ability and desire to contribute to a diverse team and inclusive environment is a must.

This position has been determined to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

What We Offer:

Salary Range: Generally starting at $41,373 - $53,383

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid vacation and time off, and a tuition benefit. Information on university benefits programs, including eligibility, is located at http://www.cu.edu/employee-services . Total compensation goes beyond the value on the paycheck.  Please consider reviewing the Total Compensation page at Total Compensation Calculators | University of Colorado .

This position is dependent on the availability of auxiliary revenues funding.

Tentative Search Timeline:

• The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of 8/16/2021.
• The potential dates for interviews with the supervisor and appointing authority will be the week of 8/23/2021.
• The potential employee start date is 9/15/2021.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check. 

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date.  If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field.
• 3-5 year’s work experience in retail sales and/or management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years university bookstore buyer experience

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to move. Employee is occasionally required to have long periods of sitting, moderate bending, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, handling, and feeling. Employee must also have near and far acuity, depth perception, accommodation, color vision and normal field of vision. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and will frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.