Bookstore Merchandising & Brand Specialist

Bookstore Merchandising & Brand Specialist

Opportunity, growth, and meaningful rewards! We offer: Health, dental and vision insurance Generous paid time off (vacation, flex or sick) Holiday pay 401(k) retirement plan Company paid life insurance Tuition reimbursement Employee discounts across all company brands Employee assistance program Training and exciting career growth opportunities Referral program refer a friend and earn a bonus Benefits may vary by position so ask your recruiter for details. Advertised Compensation: $24.78 to $27.53

Purpose

The Merchandising & Brand Specialist (Books) at Newark Liberty International Airport is responsible for executing category-specific merchandising strategies, maintaining brand standards, and supporting visual presentation across the books category. This role ensures consistent implementation of corporate merchandising directives, assists with bookstore operational execution including receiving, returns, replenishment, and inventory accuracy, and provides category expertise to enhance the customer experience, foster a bookselling culture, and drive sales performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement daily merchandising tasks including product placement, planogram compliance, title presentation, replenishment, and visual updates for the books category in alignment with brand and corporate standards.
• Conduct regular category inspections to ensure proper stock levels, accurate pricing, shelf organization, and adherence to brand guidelines; report discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
• Assist with setup of promotional displays, seasonal transitions, new title launches, and thematic or locally relevant book presentations; ensure timely execution of merchandising directives.
• Provide basic product knowledge and assist customers with inquiries, title recommendations, and category navigation; support sales goals through active engagement and strong customer service.
• Support category-specific receiving activities including product placement, price verification, inventory accuracy, file transfers, and routine cycle counts; process related documentation and communicate issues to management.
• Pull and process book returns using inventory system reports and established procedures; help maintain accurate inventory flow and organized back-of-house storage for books and related sidelines merchandise.
• Maintain proficiency in inventory management systems and retail reporting tools; update product information and assist with books-category performance reporting as directed by the Category Manager or designated supervisor.
• Assist in onboarding and training new associates on books-category procedures, product knowledge, merchandising standards, and completion of daily and weekly execution tasks.
• Ensure compliance with operational, safety, and loss prevention standards for product handling, storage, merchandising execution, and customer-facing presentation.
• Partner with the Category Manager and store leadership to support category assessments, inventory counts, ordering support, promotional execution, and feedback on customer response, assortment needs, and execution challenges.

Qualifications

Education & Experience 3+ years combined experience in merchandising, bookstore operations, category management, or retail operations with a focus on brand compliance and visual presentation. 2+ years in a specialist, lead, or supervisory role managing category-specific merchandising or bookstore execution tasks. Previous bookstore experience strongly preferred, with demonstrated knowledge of and interest in bookselling and book-category customer service. High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or related field preferred (may count toward experience requirement).

Technical Skills Knowledge of visual merchandising principles, planogram execution, retail display standards, and books-category presentation fundamentals. Familiarity with inventory management systems, retail reporting tools, receiving/returns processes, and cycle count procedures. Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook). Familiarity with bookstore inventory systems or comparable retail platforms preferred. Visual Merchandising Certification or related training preferred.

Competencies Attention to Detail Maintains consistent product presentation, pricing accuracy, shelf organization, and identifies execution gaps. Time Management & Organization Prioritizes multiple tasks and meets deadlines in a fast-paced retail and bookstore environment. Customer Service Orientation Engages customers with product knowledge, title recommendations, and support for sales initiatives. Collaboration & Communication Works effectively with team members and provides clear feedback to management on store execution and customer response. Adaptability Responds quickly to changing priorities, seasonal resets, promotional requirements, and daily bookstore operational needs. Books Category Awareness Demonstrates working knowledge of bookselling basics, various book genres, title presentation, inventory flow, and category standards.

Physical Requirements: Ability to walk and stand for extended periods. Lift/carry up to 40 lbs regularly; frequent bending, reaching, ladder use, and handling of book shipments or display materials. Work Environment: Retail store, bookstore, and back-of-house environments with varying temperature and noise levels.

Schedule & Reporting Reports to: Category Manager or designated supervisor. Classification: Non-Exempt (FLSA). Schedule: Flexible availability required, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays during peak sales periods, promotional events, and seasonal transitions.

Avalta, including Dufry, HMSHost Corporation, Hudson, and affiliates ("the Company"), is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Company's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and to comply with anti-discrimination laws and regulations. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal opportunities to applicants and team members without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, age, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military service and veteran status, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as "protected characteristics").