Bookstore General Manager - Full-time / Part-time

Summary:

The oldest independent bookstore in Los Angeles, in operation since 1940, is looking for a General Manager.  After new owners took over and revitalized this neighborhood icon in 2015 the bookstore has been thriving.  It is now time to take the store to the next level.  A General Manager will collaborate with an experienced book buying manager who has worked at the store for many years, is known by the community, and specializes in ordering, setting up special events, and interfacing with publishers.  A General Manager will lead the staff and store to even more success!  The General Manager will be responsible for all facets of day-to-day management of the bookstore, including supervision of staff.  A successful General Manager will be passionate about books, as well as about profits!  Check out our website at www.chevaliersbooks.com

Key Responsibilities:

·       Talent Management

o   Leading recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of qualified applicants to meet business needs

o   Ensuring associates are delivering excellent customer service through coaching, training, and development

o   Managing scheduling process to ensure schedules maximize associates availability to help customers

o   Making decisions relating to the selection and deployment of staff in order to meet sales and labor budgets

o   Developing and promoting a team environment and acts as a leader within the store to all staff levels

·       Inventory Management

o   Supervising back of house functions, including maintaining accurate inventory records and setting proper in-store inventory levels

o   Understanding appropriate turnover rates and managing inventory to meet industry standards

o   Ordering and maintaining adequate side line inventory

·       Operational Management

o   Providing leadership by maintaining a daily and active presence in the store

o   Handling Accounts Payable, Invoicing, and Accounts Receivables, as well as ADP Payroll for biweekly staff payments, timecards, etc. and maintaining HR policies and compliance

o   Overseeing staffing and operational tasks for onsite and offsite marketing events including annual sale, sidewalk discount sales, Saturday story-time, book clubs and other in-store promotional events

o   Managing the visual presentation of the store to create an exciting shopping environment for customers (physical environment, facilities, housekeeping, window displays, reorganize the two back offices and other facility issues)

o   Executing general merchandise objectives, including allocation of floor space based on sales by department and modifying plans to fit specific needs

o   Overseeing social media, website, phone, internet and other IT issues

o   Driving operational excellence and profitability through analyzing data, reducing in-store shrink, and ensuring key compliance initiatives are fully executed

o   Ensuring effective performance management and maintains a culture of accountability

·       Performing other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Experience: 

·       Bachelor's degree required

·       Must have 3-5 years previous experience in retail store management and people management, required

·       Bookstore experience strongly preferred

·       Strong background in merchandise presentation

·       Strong aptitude for numbers and demonstrated problem solving skills

·       Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team of young booksellers

·       Strong customer service and communication skills including community outreach

·       Computer literacy with retail inventory systems and QuickBooks and payroll