Website Making Worlds Bookstore & Social Center
About Making Worlds Bookstore & Social Center
Making Worlds Bookstore & Social Center, located in the heart of West Philadelphia, is a nonprofit cooperative bookstore and social center that promotes collective knowledge, skills, and visions of liberation that emerge from our communities. By distributing literature and other resources, as well as fostering a vibrant cultural programming space, we aim to strengthen neighborhood and Philadelphia grassroots organizing for people to care and support each other and make worlds of liberation possible. Through diverse political and cultural education initiatives, we promote learning from each other and the intersecting histories and futures of community organizing and movement building of Indigenous, Black, and Brown people and others resisting oppression worldwide.
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and mission-oriented collaborative person to take on book buying and key bookstore operations. The successful candidate will be someone who can (a) prepare weekly book orders based on sales and inventory data, (b) and manage and build our inventory with targeted backlist and frontlist buying, (c) meet sales goals and reach a wider book-reading communities in Philadelphia, and (d) assist the Cooperative with the overall mission and aims of Making Worlds as described above.
The position will involve working well independently, as part of a small operations team, alongside the Making Worlds Cooperative (also small!), as well as with volunteers and community partners.
Specific responsibilities include:
Buying and Inventory Management
Manage and analyze sales and inventory data; prepare weekly stock orders across a range of trade distributors,
Maintain customer requests and special orders
Support Making Worlds cooperative on new title buying (monthly and seasonal)
Manage event book orders and returns, coordinating and supporting events coordinator on events book stock
Manage Making Worlds sustainer book program
Grow online sales (of in-store inventory) as well as our curated bookshop page
In-store Book Displays & Promotions
Produce displays and signage to best represent inventory and enhance customer experience
Curate monthly theme displays (new titles and features) in consultation with Making Worlds Cooperative members, and events coordinator
Customer Service & Shifts
Provide excellent customer service guided by Making Worlds mission and values, including expanding the current customer base and further cultivating repeat customers and customer loyalty programs
Opening and close the bookstore and conduct on-site sales at least 3 days per week
Perform basic store upkeep
Meetings
Participating in biweekly meetings with the Making Worlds Cooperative and operations team, being responsive and accountable for offering regular updates and reports, soliciting feedback, and supporting others.
The book buyer will work in collaboration with the members of the Cooperative as well as an events coordinator. Please only apply if you are able to meet the following scheduling requirement: Wednesday 12pm to 6pm; Thursday, 12pm to 6pm; Sunday 12pm to 6pm; and/or occasional subshifts on Fridays and Saturdays .
Compensation
This position starts at $20 per hour for 25–30 hours per week [up to 18 hours per week in-store on shift; and 12 hours per week flex on in-store project work.]
This position includes two weeks paid vacation time, an exclusive store discount, and wellness funds in the amount of $250/year. This position is supported by the Making Worlds Cooperative, contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
Qualifications and Experience
Familiarity and proficiency with retail software is a plus, especially Basil or other trade bookstore point-of-sales systems; along with Excel, Airtable; and/or other spreadsheet programs
Knowledge of the book trade and independent bookstores; 2+ years experience in retail store operations
Detail- and data-oriented, deadline-driven, and passionate about the bookstore’s inventory and wider mission
Ability to perform physical work (e.g. lifting boxes of approx. 20 pounds)
Hands-on, outgoing, personable and customer-service oriented
Passionate about mission-driven work and community engagement
Desire to work in a collaborative, community setting as part of a team
Experience leading a project
College degree or equivalent education
How to Apply:
If you are interested in this position, we encourage you to apply! You will need to:
Write a one page cover letter that explains why you are interested in this position, what excites you about Making Worlds, and gives us a sense of your background experience that has prepared you to take on this role.
Email your resume and cover letter (single PDF only please) to: info@makingworldsbooks.org by 5pm on Friday, January 19, 2024
Please use the subject line “Book Buyer Position” when sending the email
Making Worlds is a registered 501c3, and an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and does not tolerate discrimination and harassment of any type with regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. We are committed to sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and dignified work environment for all of us.
Deadline for application materials: 5pm Eastern time, FRIDAY, JANUARY 19th, 2024