Our philosophy is to provide our customers with choice and value.

Bargain Books is one of the biggest book retailers in South Africa, with over 77  stores and growing rapidly.  We are the winner for best bookseller of the year in 2011, 2013 and previously in 2014.

We believe in hard work and entrepreneurial thinking within a dynamic, sales and service orientated environment. We aim to provide our customers with superior service and value for money through our passion for books and people.

Purpose of the job:

As the  Assistant Manager of a  bookstore, you will support the Store Manager with managing  the store and the  booksellers.  You will make sure that staff are kept motivated, disciplined and build up their book knowledge in order to give the customer excellent   service to reach and exceed   sales targets.

Main Responsibilities / Outcomes

Management of staff – assisting the Manager in seeing that staff plans and rosters are in place, train staff on all aspects of bookselling, do performance reviews and  discipline staff.  Motivate and mentor staff to do their best for the customer and branding of the brand.

Customer service –  offering  assistance to every customer entering the store with a friendly and positive attitude.

Housekeeping – keeping  the store clean and tidy.

Merchandising –  see that window displays are attractive and eye catching and changed every two weeks.  See that best sellers are in stock and see that there are displays around the store. Make sure the stock is in the right category.

Promotions – Make sure that all promotions are adequately merchandised with ample stocks.

Stock Management – make sure that the stock is in line with the needs of the local market.  Make sure that the bestsellers are in stock both from publishers and the warehouse.  Ensure that receiving is accurate and  shrinkage is managed and controlled.   Stock level must be in line with sales and the store size.

Communication  – on emails and skype to various suppliers, customers and head office

Training   -  train staff regularly  in store systems, customer service, sales techniques and products.

Security – make sure that security is regularly discussed at staff meetings and that staff are always alert and aware of the non-shopper/shop lifter.   Make sure that the CCTV and Convex mirrors are monitored. Banking must be locked in the safe at night and banked daily.

Admin and Control – Daily cash ups, credit card cross checked and banking done daily.

Knowledge Management – All staff must be made aware of weekly bestseller report.  New book submissions  from all publishers must be circulated amongst the staff.

Selling –  Ensure that every staff member and process in store focuses on making sales.  Ensure that there is a culture of hand selling, up selling, cross selling  and relationship building to ensure repeat business.

Community sales –   facilitate selling into schools, libraries and churches.

Qualifications required for this role:

A  minimum of a matric with at least two years of supervising staff in a sales environment.

Preferably  5 years’ experience in retail or a sales environment.

A diploma or degree would be an advantage

The successful  applicant will have the following attributes:

• Neat and well presented
• Preferably Fully Bilingual
• Above average communication skills
• Positive and friendly attitude
• Knowledge of books
• High level of computer literacy
• Financial and business acumen
• Work well under pressure
• Good  leader with a collaborative management style
• Good follow through and commitment
• Adaptable and flexible
• Good merchandising experience
• Prepared to work retail hours

Applications and CV’s should be addressed to   Jenny Strong- jenny@bargainbooks.co.za

With “ASSISTANT MANAGER” stated in the subject heading

Closing date:

NB:  Only successful candidates will be interviewed.  If you have not heard from  us after the closing date please regards your application as unsuccessful

Preference will be given to candidates who will add to the diversity of our organization.