Texas A&M University Looking for Assistant Manager, Trade Sales, TAMU Press Full Time

Job Title
Assistant Manager, Trade Sales, TAMU Press

Agency
Texas A&M University

Department
Texas A&M University Press

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
College Station, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description
Our Commitment
Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability.  Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values.

Who we are
Founded in 1974, Texas A&M University Press is the book publishing arm of one of the nation’s leading research and land grant institutions. Throughout its history, the Press has enjoyed strong support from the University and the entire Texas A&M community, and that support has been essential to the Press’s growth and success. Texas A&M University Press has won more than 500 book awards, including major scholarly awards in all fields in which we publish; all major Texas book awards; and nationally prestigious awards from Garden Writers Association, National Outdoor Book Awards, American Library Association Best of the Best, National Cowboy Hall of Fame, National Book Foundation, Western Writers of America, PEN American Center, Army Historical Foundation, and many others.  Visit our new website, www.tamupress.com, designed to be easy to use and mobile friendly.

What we want
This is a wonderful opportunity to join our unit, serving as our Assistant Manager of Trade Sales, TAMU Press. This position is responsible for coordinating the selling of Texas A&M University Press and TAMU Press Consortium publishers’ books in the retail and wholesale markets, including personal responsibility for direct selling to accounts in Texas and to major U.S. retailer and wholesaler accounts. Also primary responsibility for securing and coordinating sales representation to domestic sales groups selling outside Texas. We envision this person will demonstrate effective communication skills, particularly marketing capabilities, strong organizational skills, and proven knowledge on learning software and robust sales platforms. The selected candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) as stated above. If you have the skills, experience and qualifications mentioned, then we encourage you to apply for this great opportunity.

What you need to know
Cover Letter and Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.
Please note: You must have a Class C driver’s license or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

COVID-19 information:  Texas A&M University monitors local, state and federally mandated health guidelines to keep students, employees, prospective employees, and visitors as safe as possible. For the latest information regarding Texas A&M’s COVID-19 response, please visit the University’s COVID-19 website. For COVID-19 employment-related information, please visit the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness’ COVID-19 website.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four years of press event coordination, marketing, and/or the selling of books.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Strong verbal and excellent written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Strong skills in learning software and robust sales platforms.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Must have a Class C driver’s license or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to lift or move moderate to heavy objects.
• Ability to travel.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• More than four years of press event coordination, marketing, and/or the selling of books.
• Edelweiss experience.
• Experience in the book industry.
• Experience in Marketing.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comfortable using Adobe design software like Photoshop and InDesign.

Responsibilities:

• Traveling/Sales – Coordinates the selling of Texas A&M University Press and TAMU Press Consortium publishers’ books in the retail and wholesale markets, including personal responsibility for direct selling to accounts in Texas and to major U.S. retailer and wholesaler accounts and primary responsibility for securing and coordinating sales representation to domestic sales groups selling outside Texas. Performs extensive travel within Texas to sell books and potentially three to five national trips per year. Identifies primary and secondary, traditional, and non-traditional accounts to which Texas A&M Press and nine other Consortium publishers’ books should be presented and placed. Performs maintenance and updates status of each account or potential account, buyers’ names and preferences, and the special focuses of the region or account. From a combined list of approximately 2,500 books and editions, identifying front and backlist titles for various regions, takes into consideration author location, setting of the book, publisher promotion plans, and sales histories. Determines the accounts that warrant personal sales calls and those that can best be served by telephone, mail, and e-mail.
• Sale Kit Coordination – Coordinates the preparation of sales kits each season and distributing seasonal catalogs and materials to sales representatives and in-house accounts.
• Events and Signings – Coordinates book signings and promotional events to support sales work.
• Marketing – Promotes books through email and social media to TAMU community, Press customers, and those in the book industry.
• Meetings – Determines the need to schedule and attend sales meetings with sales representative groups in New York or other designated areas potentially twice yearly, usually in May and December, which requires approval by the Marketing Manager.  While attending those meetings,  sells to other national buyers and other major accounts.
• Miscellaneous – Serves as a team member in the setting of short-term and long-term goals, analyzes sales projections and results, provides budget data, and some special projects work, as time permits, such as attending exhibits and assisting with warehouse sales. Supervises student worker(s). Performs other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University and TAMHSC, must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

In accordance with the federal contractor vaccination mandate, specific facilities at The Texas A&M System may be considered a covered contractor workplace with covered contractor employees. Therefore, successful applicants for this position may be subject to the federal mandate and will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment unless an approved medical or religious accommodation is in place.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.