About William Stout Architectural Books
William Stout Architectural Books is a San Francisco landmark that has become an architecture & design institution loved around the world. It's our mission to maintain the high standards of selection and bookselling established by architect, Bill Stout, in 1974, and keep the shop's legacy moving forward. We believe the contribution of your experience, enthusiasm, and point of view will add exciting new chapters to this legacy, and we look forward to supporting your efforts to learn, grow, and make new connections as we work together, building the next 50 years of this important bookstore.
About the Role
The Bookseller provides a welcoming and warm reception to store customers and is responsible for providing an exceptional level of customer service and promoting sales in store and online. The Bookseller engages with each customer individually and provides accurate and insightful assistance to customers based on the bookseller's broad knowledge of the books carried at William Stout Architectural Books (Stout Books) and the location of books and products in the store. A Bookseller has a functional understanding of Architecture, Architects, and design culture. The Bookseller will assist with tasks such as engaging with social media, entering stock into the inventory system, sending out communications, and monitoring the customer service inboxes. They will work with other employees to fulfill orders, turn over displays, and keep the shop stocked, tidy, and organized on the sales floor and in the storage areas.
In this role, you will: Greet and assist visitors with a friendly and courteous manner. Actively approach and advise customers to make sales and create a welcoming environment. Provide accurate and clear information on merchandise, events, and the story of Stout Books. Complete financial transactions including sales, returns, credits and applicable discounts efficiently and accurately. Provide wrapping service. Provide customer service via phone and email. Tidy books throughout the day. Keep the store and storage areas organized and clean. Ensure that displays are fresh and well composed. Update Shopify Inventory with new stock Track order fulfillment to ensure timely delivery or communication. Fulfill standing orders. Complete opening and closing procedures. Assist with other duties as assigned. These may include activities to further the development of the store. The Ideal Candidate has: Skills, Abilities, Competencies A deep-seated interest in architecture and design, paired with a love for learning and sharing knowledge. Enjoys connecting people to books/products/experiences that will enrich their lives. Selling skills. Ability to share enthusiasm for merchandise and store. Interpersonal communication skills. Ability to communicate problems and ensure constructive problem resolution. Exhibit initiative, sound judgment, and a positive attitude. Ability to work independently and collaboratively. Demonstrated punctuality and dependability. Interest in and commitment to Architecture culture and the spirit and legacy of Stout Books. Background & Skills Education in Architecture or design practice or history, or equivalent combination of training and/or experience. Basic retail experience, 1-2 years is ideal. Ability to process sales transactions, work with a POS system, and a basic understanding of retail inventory and accounting (particularly Shopify) preferred. Accurate work and attention to detail. Computer Literate and Internet savvy. Experience with word processors, spreadsheets, Shopify, and the Google Suite preferred. Working Conditions: Standing for long periods of time Lifting up to 40 pounds Bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, climbing a ladder Maintaining a professional and engaging demeanor and appearance Schedule:
Approximately 40 hours per week, including weekend availability and occasional evenings.
Benefits include: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, for which the organization covers 99% of the cost for employees and 75% of the cost for dependents 401k employer match up to 6%, commuting benefits, and parental leave Wellness benefit of $600 per year to spend on anything that contributes to your mental and physical wellness $500 match for charitable giving, for every year of service up to five years Unlimited paid time off policy in addition to fourteen paid holidays U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
We value diversity, inclusion & belonging for all, and are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace that empowers people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to feel respected, valued, and able to contribute at the highest level. If you're excited by this role but your professional experience doesn't perfectly align with the qualifications listed, we still encourage you to apply.
