Description

Core Responsibilities include everything as outlined for a basic bookseller role, plus: 

• Operations: 
  
  • Manage daily store functions accurately and efficiently, including opening/closing procedures 
  • Ensure completion of daily staff assignments and tasks, as assigned
• Loss prevention:
  
  • Train staff in loss prevention and assist in identifying/correcting operational shrinkage
  • Document all incidents in the bookstore related to theft, vandalism, accident, and injury, communicate to Bookstore Manager and/or Retail Manager
• Staff Management: 
  
  • Assist in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, on-boarding, and training booksellers, ensuring understanding and compliance to company standards, organizational goals and direction; including conducting disciplinary procedures as outlined in the handbook, if needed.
  • Responsible for the maintenance of daily/monthly work schedules to ensure that revenue and operational goals of the Bookstore are met, utilizing staffing & resources appropriately.
  • Collaborate with Bookstore Manager to create and maintain weekly staffing schedules for the bookselling team, making recommendations to
  • Bookstore Manager & decisions as appropriate for scheduling and staffing levels to ensure operational & financial success in bookstore
  • Guide staff through training, informal discussions and performance evaluations, along with goal development plans
  • Ensure proper attendance and representation at national and regional industry conferences and meetings
  • Merchandising & Inventory
  • Assist with displays and sectioning to enhance commercial appeal and discoverability
  • Assist in accurate inventory management, following up with appropriate parties (accounting, operations) when mistakes are found that need correcting
  • Analyze performance of specific categories, as assigned by Bookstore Manager & Buyer
• Customer Engagement: 
  
  • Provide personalized recommendations and create reading lists by theme/topic/subject
  • Make staff selection cards regularly
• Customer Experience: 
  
  • Model and uphold high standards of customer service, ensuring an inviting and organized store atmosphere. 
  • Handle customer issues as they arise, and communicate them to the Bookstore Manager and/or Retail Manager
    Collaborate with the Bookstore Manager & Buyer to plan and execute events (signings, book clubs, etc.)

Requirements

Core Competencies:

• Basic computer skills, including MS Office and the ability to learn new systems, like our Point of Sale system (Shopify/Emersoft) and other databases, as needed.
• Creative problem-solver and self-starter
• Able to work with minimal supervision after training
• Show initiative to do what needs to be done, to the best of your knowledge and ability, even without explicit instructions.
• A professional attitude in dealing with confidential and commercially sensitive information
• Ability to effectively and compassionately support a direct report
• Ability to ask clarifying questions, and help, when needed
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks
• Must have a comfort level interacting with children

Other requirements:

• Ability to bend, stoop, and lift up to 40 pounds.  
• Ability to be on your feet for hours at a time.
• Nights and weekends required; hours and daily schedule will vary.
  
  

Benefits offered and perks of working for Letterpress Play & Books: 

• (30 hours+ employees) Health insurance including medical, dental, vision
• Paid Time Off
  
  • Vacation accrual starting first day of employment  (all statuses)
  • Sick leave available immediately upon start of employment  (all statuses)
  • Holiday Pay available to 30 hours+ employees after 3 months of employment
• Company paid parking 
• 25% Employee discount on Letterpress Play + Books merchandise, gifts and books
  
  • Book discount goes up to 35% FOR BOOKS ONLY after 90 days of employment
• Access to Advance Reading Copies (ARCs) as well as other industry exclusive opportunities!

Letterpress Play & Books, a stationery and gift store in south Austin, Texas, is moving and expanding to include an approximately 1,100-square-foot book section, opening Fall 2026. 

Resumes will be accepted, with a cover letter, until EOD Sunday, July 12th. The start date will be in early August. 

The Bookstore Mission statement: Come explore the possible and the impossible at Letterpress Play & Books. If you have questions, we have more questions! In our gallery of 10,000 worlds, there is a book for every mood, a journey to satiate each yearning, a story to soothe your unquiet mind. Plus, coffee! Come join our community of regulars (and irregulars). At LPP&B we believe that when you pluck the right combination of words and pictures off of the shelf, you can explain the unexplainable. Whether you want to get lost or be found, there is a book for you at Letterpress Play & Books.