Job Description

University of Utah Job Description

Job Summary

Provides support for text, educational supplies, or general merchandise areas by coordinating and assisting in the delivery of services.

Qualifications

Two years of retail sales experience; a minimum of one year of experience supervising employees and buying merchandise; and effective oral and written communication skills required.

A commitment to the concept of excellence in service is expected from the incumbent.

An Associate Degree in Business, or a related field or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience), or two years of related college work along with the above requirements is preferred. Other specific preferences may be called for, depending on the unique needs in a given area.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Disclaimer

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Essential Functions

1. Reorders merchandise for a specific area of responsibility within the Bookstore by considering inventory levels, and/or enrollment figures, to replenish original stock levels.
2. Supervises departmental staff by delegating tasks, training, disciplining, and hiring, or giving input to the hiring process, responding to employee complaints, to ensure a motivated and competent work force.
3. Meets with vendors to reorder merchandise and to discuss problems with merchandise that is damaged, or expired, late delivery dates, customer dissatisfaction with merchandise, or service, etc. to effectively meet future customer needs, and/or improve customer service.
4. Conducts regular inventories of stock on hand by researching product history, purchase dates, vendors, etc. to update the inventory control record.
5. Processes Campus Orders to respond to departmental needs for merchandise, and initiates chargebacks to receive credit, or exchange on damaged, or outdated merchandise.
6. Ensures shipments are correct by checking quantities and conditions, and that prices match invoices to facilitate the receiving process and delivery to the sales floor.
7. Assists customers on the sales floor by locating, or directing them to requested merchandise, and resolving problems and complaints.
8. Maintains files pertaining to purchase orders, merchandise returns, special orders, inventory, etc.
9. Helps prepare department for storewide inventory by ensuring proper quantities are entered on the system to match stock in the store.

Problem Solving

The Bookstore Department Assistant has the authority to prioritize, plan and coordinate events and situations that directly relate to sales and inventory controls, i.e. charge backs. He/she may also determine sales floor coverage. Depending upon the area, the incumbent may make the hiring decision for the subordinate position, or participate in the interview process, and give input for final selection.

Incumbents may supervise up to five nonexempt, part-time hourly and student positions.

Decisions to terminate an employee, as well as decisions pertaining to an exception in pricing, or policy that has a significant effect on profit are referred to the supervisor.

Problems encountered by the incumbent may involve incomplete, or wrong shipments; invoicing/pricing discrepancies; determining the correct action to be taken in either the repair, or return of a product; limited stockroom space; and employee scheduling.