What are the responsibilities and job description for the Midwest Sales Representative position at The University of Chicago?
Department
Press Books SalesAbout the Department
Job Summary
Responsibilities
- Travel seasonally as needed to sell frontlist titles in person. Maximize opportunities with secondary and tertiary accounts. Prospect and develop new accounts.
- Continuously promote and support backlist sales. Think creatively to develop sales approaches that will realize potential for these books through inventory reviews as well as seasonal, thematic, and regional opportunities.
- Create custom Edelweiss collections and markups as needed to support sales efforts. Create, edit, and share Edelweiss markups and catalog notations with buyers.
- Work closely with client publishers to maximize sales of their books. Attend meetings as needed.
- Represent the Press and clients at trade shows and conferences as needed.
- Complete call reports as required and communicate with team members and client Presses.
- Handle account inquiries (including publicity contacts, stock checks, event orders, and tracking) and provide support to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Outreach to stores regarding special offers, awards, publicity breaks, and other time-sensitive matters.
- Work with Sales Director to benchmark and formulate expectations for territory.
- Has a moderate/high level of authority in selling products and services. Works with marketing and other units to target growth areas and generate leads.
- Plays a key role in the execution of sales and marketing programs.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.Work Experience:
Certifications:
-
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Certifications:
- Valid driver’s license.
Technical Knowledge or Skills:
- Strong understanding of the book retail sector, including market trends, key players, and distribution channels.
- Proficiency with Edelweiss.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook programs, Teams, Zoom, and similar office software.
- Ability to quickly learn new software and systems.
Preferred Competencies
- Superlative self-starting and self direction: ability to work independently, set priorities, take initiative.
- Advanced organizational skills, detail-oriented mindset: ability to schedule own appointments, manage order processing, customer service needs, and inbox management.
- Excellent communication skills: share seasonal progress, operational concerns, store and buyer feedback, publisher communications, communications with accounts.
- Office management skills: provide accurate & timely expense and sales reporting, work on planning our annual regional trade show attendance, and, when necessary, our attendance at Winter Institute.
- Problem-solving skills: serve to enhance customer service and be a resource for accounts/liaison with order fulfillment and customer service and Chicago Distribution Center.
- Ability to travel by car and airplane.
- Efficiency in prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines and handle multiple accounts.
- Excellent verbal and written communication for presenting books and effectively conveying information.
- Independent bookstore experience a plus.
- A proven ability to cultivate and develop positive and productive business relationships.
- Candidate needs to be based in the Midwest, preference given to candidates who are within the Chicago region.
Working Conditions
- Flexible work times and hours, including occasional weekend or evening work / travel.
- Occasional lifting requirement of up to 40 pounds (catalogs, sales materials, and books).
- Overall travel required: approximately 25% to 30% of the year.
- This is a remote position that requires a dedicated workspace and reliable internet service.
- Company car, credit card, and laptop will be provided.
Application Documents
- Resume ( required)
- Cover Letter (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the
Benefits Guidebook
.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the
University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via
Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:
http://securityreport.uchicago.edu
. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.Salary : $59,500 - $77,000
