Senior Sales Supervisor - ISU Book Store

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Job Description:

Do you have strong retail experience and are looking for an opportunity that offers excellent work-life balance? Are you looking for a role that offers a wide variety of tasks and challenges every day?

If so, The University Book Store at Iowa State University is currently seeking applicants for a Senior Sales Supervisor, which will be classified as a Bookstore Specialist III!

What You'll Do:

• Oversee the retail sales floor and primary accountability for the technology, books, art, supply, and departmental workwear categories.

• Supervise a team of full-time Sales Supervisors, student employees, and seasonal staff, including responsibility for hiring, onboarding, scheduling, performance evaluation, corrective action, and separation.

• Serve as the Supervisor on Duty on a rotating schedule, including some weekends, weeknight closings, and special events.

• Provide in-depth onboarding and ongoing training to ensure employees understand bookstore operations, customer service standards, and retail best practices.

• Serve as a key liaison between the retail sales team and other departments (e.g., Marketing, Buying, Warehouse) to coordinate merchandising efforts, signage needs, promotional campaigns, and manage and report team payroll.

• Monitor and analyze inventory levels in assigned categories (technology, books, art, supplies, course materials, cards, and convenience items); investigate and resolve discrepancies.

• Coordinate and manage retail support for in-store and on-site events, including staffing, product merchandising, and teardown/recovery.

• Recommend and implement strategies to improve retail sales, product placement, and employee efficiency.

The position requires the ability to make informed decisions in a dynamic environment, manage staffing levels across multiple retail areas, and collaborate cross-functionally with buyers, marketing, and store leadership. The Senior Sales Supervisor functions as a key member reporting to the Marketing and Sales Manager, frequently serving as Supervisor on Duty and stepping in to make time-sensitive operational decisions affecting store function, employee supervision, and customer satisfaction.

This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings, weekends, and extended hours during rush periods and special events.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

About ISU Book Store:

The University Book Store at Iowa State University is a vital campus institution committed to academic excellence and student success. As a university-owned and operated entity, we take pride in serving as a trusted partner in the educational journey of every Cyclone. Our role extends far beyond providing textbooks and technologywe are an essential part of the Iowa State experience. All revenues generated by the Book Store are reinvested directly into the university. These funds help advance critical campus initiatives, support academic programs, enhance learning environments, and contribute to the overall vibrancy of the Iowa State community. By aligning our operations with the universitys mission, we ensure that every purchase made at the University Book Store has a meaningful and lasting impact on students, faculty, and the broader campus.

Level Guidelines
Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISUs mission and department or work unit goals
Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff
May provide supervision for sales staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist
Provides guidance to students

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Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program

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