Bookstore - Course Materials Buyer

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Bookstore - Course Materials Buyer Classification Title Hourly Part Time (.1-.74 FTE) Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligibility

Department Bookstore Job Description

Buyer procure retail items and coordinate activities involved with purchasing products and supplies focused on store needs. Buyers research all the latest trends and customer needs in order to find offerings while continuing to make sure that product supply is uninterrupted through inventory control and proper ordering procedures. Buyers determine where to buy local to save cost and increase margins. Buyers work with several diverse vendors to choose products and maintain affordability. Buyers negotiate prices and consider the store's profitability and student affordability before placing orders. They review bids, proposals, and negotiate contracts within budgetary limitations and scope of authority.

Essential Job Functions for the Buyers include, but are not limited to, the following:

Planning- Overall Strategy and Growth

• Executes category strategy developed by the Store Director.
• Creates annual merchandise assortment plan by quarter, and adheres to purchasing budgets.
• Analyzes vendor, product, and total category performance. Ensures the highest quality, lowest overall cost, and the highest value for dollars spent. Has accountability to the profits and losses according to purchase decisions, and uses learnings to make future decisions more effectively.
• Interacting with sales staff on a daily basis for product pricing, expediting, and analysis.
• Works directly with the Assistant Director of the Bookstore to coordinate and provide course materials needed for students per faculty adoptions. Then sources to get best possible pricing to reduce overall cost to the students.
• Works with Assistant store Director on copyright sourcing when needed for faculty adoptions.

Driving- Events and promotions

• Assists operation during all special events, and uses them as diverse focus groups to collect information for future store needs.
• Works independently and completes special sourcing projects per faculty requests under Assistant Director's guidance.
• Works with adoption software to ensure that appropriate materials are ordered per enrollment numbers.
• Develops and executes strategy to maintain stock of needed course materials at all times.
• Continued work with the Disability and Accessibility Team on campus to ensure we procure alternative learning materials when needed.
• Review and process client purchase requests in accordance with Hope College.

Executing- Purchasing and Vendor Relations

• Works with and assists Assistant Store Director and Inventory Control Manager during events regarding proper execution of merchandise plan and vision. Plans and executes strategies, and sourcing new vendors and products if needed.
• Responsible for ensuring vendor communication and vendor performance adheres to operations requirements.
• Proactively communicates with staff and suppliers regarding agreements, PO's, ordering, pricing, service level, compliance, product availability, policy/guidelines and resolving related purchasing issues. Reconciles invoices to purchase orders to ensure correct pricing/quantity. Resolve disputes between the store and vendors regarding service, cost, and delivery, as necessary.
• Ensure accurate completion of quotes, quote summaries, schedules and releases.
• Communicates to Assistant Store Director trends within products that may impact pricing, quality or availability.
• Processes and administers purchase orders via the procurement system including price negotiations, managing inquiries, expediting, and status reviews.

Follow up- Continuous Improvement

• Open and close the store as scheduled. Responsible for general maintenance of the sales floor, including customer service, stocking, and driving overall store sales with the objective of increasing revenue.
• Development of student staff. Encourage, teach and support the student workers and supervisors while modeling and promoting stellar customer service and work ethic.
• Drive continuous improvement of all processes related to purchasing.
• Focused on diversity and inclusion, and how we can cultivate an environment of belonging for all of our staff and shoppers.
• Additional functions not specifically outlined in this position description as needed for the business and directed by their leader.

Qualifications

• Retail experience and procurement/buying experience preferred
• High Level of interpersonal skills to work well with a diverse group of team members, customers, and suppliers.
• Driven organizational and time-management skills with ability to multitask.
• Thrives in a fast paced environment and meets all deadlines required.
• Experience with vendor negotiations
• Computer skills should include: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite products

Physical Demands

This position requires remaining in a sitting or standing position for frequent periods of time; uses office machinery such as a computers, printers, copy machines; Occasionally involves moving items over 10 pounds; frequently will move between different offices/workspaces/buildings; and requires effective communication abilities. In the case of temporary or permanent condition(s) that require(s) accommodation(s), reasonable accommodation(s) may be requested.

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check. Some positions may have position specific requirements, such as education/licensure/certification verification, a physical, drug screening, credit checks and/or transportation record review.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number 2026-017SR Job Posting Open Date 07/15/2026 Job Posting Close Date 07/24/2026 Open Until Filled No Is this position available for sponsorship No Special Instructions to Applicants