Job details

Bookstore Food Buyer/Retail Specialist

Position Number: 6335932
Location: Bend, OR
Position Type: Food Services

Bookstore Food Buyer/Retail Specialist

Position Number: B1210PD
Starting Wage/Salary: $22.07 - $22.96 plus exceptional benefits, subject to change due to ongoing negotiations
Close Date: 07/20/2025

Primary Purpose:

The Bookstore Food Buyer & Retail Specialist oversees bookstore daily operations, ensuring a positive customer experience. The position is responsible for the efficient operation of food purchasing, food inventory and bookstore cashiering. This position also covers the Mail and Receiving Clerk position, when needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Food Purchasing and Inventory

Purchase food and beverage from multiple vendors, including fresh food options from local businesses, when possible.
Stock and maintain adequate inventory levels for food and beverages at the campus bookstore.
Check in freight, including receiving purchase orders and verifying invoice paperwork against purchase orders. Contact distributors/vendors if discrepancies or shortages occur.
Return products to distributors. Process markdowns and returns on older inventory in a timely manner to reduce spoilage. Perform inventory adjustments for spoilage. Process chargebacks, following distributor protocols, and generate chargeback paperwork to match publisher credit invoices.
Rotate and Restock merchandise for all areas of the bookstore, as necessary.

Customer and Retail Services

Open and prepare bookstore for retail and customer activity in a timely and punctual fashion.
Prepare registers and cash drawers for morning shift staff. Prepare coffee bar.
Assist in hiring and also onboard, train, and provide on-site guidance to staff.
Create work schedules for multiple cashiers and staff ensuring full and adequate coverage.
Provide training and ongoing monitoring, feedback, and support to new and existing staff on the point-of-sale system, cashiering, and customer service.
Collaborate with bookstore manager for any hiring and/or disciplinary decisions/issues.
Handle customer inquiries regarding all goods and services in the bookstore. Follow bookstore sales and return policies and be able promptly communicate these to customers, both in-person and via phone.
Operate, balance, and handle transactions on point-of-sale system. Balance cash, check, credit card, and invoiced transactions in the register. Be able to cover cashiering shifts, when needed.
Order and receive graduation inventory, and place special orders for graduation sets for college employees.
Assist with preparation and processing of year-end inventory. Perform periodic spot checks of food and beverage inventory.
Assist with in-store promotions, including signage. Cross-train to cover other areas of the bookstore operation, if needed.
Clean store and displays.

Mail Room and Receiving

Process and meter all outgoing mail, excluding bulk and non-profit; drive mail van or to pick up and deliver mail / merchandise to local Post Office, on campus, and other College campuses in Bend and Redmond.
Receive and verify all deliveries from UPS, FedEx, and other carriers. Notify departments when freight shipments arrive.
Track inquiries for missing or delayed incoming and outgoing packages.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Individuals must possess these knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the duties and responsibilities of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities. The individual is expected to follow College work rules and policies.

Ability to provide outstanding customer service to students and employees.
Knowledge and skills in retail, cashiering and point-of-sale systems.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including outstanding listening skills.
Ability to be punctual and manage time effectively.
Visual ability to read price tag information. Ability to read the English language sufficient to read customer checks, customer identification, the computer screen, and other similar written materials.
Ability to complete payment processing, customer checks, and paperwork involved in balancing the cash register.
Basic mathematical skills, including addition and subtraction, necessary to verify cash register functions, balance cash register, make change, and assist with inventory counts.
Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times and exercise a high level of professionalism, tact and diplomacy.
Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to work cooperatively with and contribute to a diverse workplace through ideas or experience.
Sufficient manual dexterity in at least one hand to be able to operate all cash registers and electronic equipment and manually complete paperwork; and to unload, price, and stack merchandise.
Skills or experience with, email, internet, word processing, and spreadsheets (preferably experience with MS Office Suite Products).

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

Associates degree or equivalent education and/or work experience.
Two years progressively responsible work in a customer facing retail environment, including cash handling, electronic point-of-sale, purchasing, and inventory management.

License:

Current valid Oregon Drivers License, or the ability to obtain within 30 days of employment; successfully complete COCC Driving Policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with an Inventory and Ordering Management System.
Experience working at a community college or university.

To apply, visit https://jobs.cocc.edu/postings/11378

The goal of Central Oregon Community College is to provide an atmosphere that encourages our faculty, staff and students to realize their full potential. In support of this goal, it is the policy of Central Oregon Community College that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, disability, sex, marital status, national origin, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran or military status, pregnancy or any other classes protected under federal and state statutes in any education program, activities or employment. Persons with questions about this statement should contact Human Resources at 541.383.7216 or the Vice President for Student Affairs at 541.383.7211.

This policy covers nondiscrimination in both employment and access to educational opportunities. When brought to the attention of the appropriate parties, any such actions will be promptly and equitably responded to according to the process outlined in general procedures sections N-1, N-2, or N-3.

In support of COCCs EEO statement, bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is considered a plus, along with experience working in a diverse multicultural setting.