Trainee Book Buyer
NHBS (www.nhbs.com) is a world leading online retailer supplying wildlife, ecology and conservation books, equipment, and magazines to private customers, ecological consultants, libraries, and universities around the world.
The Trainee Book Buyer will work within the NHBS books department alongside a team of three, and in close collaboration with other departments at NHBS (sales & marketing, customer services, warehouse, accounts). This is an entry level role with opportunities for the right candidate to transition quickly into a senior role within the books department. A background in purchasing or bookselling is not required, but enthusiasm for nature, ecology and books, as well as drive and ambition, are vital. You will work with passionate people and receive informal training as well as on-the-job mentoring.
This role is based within our office in Totnes and applicants will be expected to adhere to strict Covid safety rules in the office including 2 metres plus distancing at all times, use of Facemasks and/or Visors as required, and observance of all other Covid guidance provided. Some UK and European travel may be required in the future when it is safe to do so.
Responsibilities
You will learn to carry out a wide range of tasks and projects related to buying and marketing books, including:
- Building and maintaining close relationships with publishers in the UK and abroad
- Determining buying quantities in line with marketing and promotion activities
- Monitoring stock levels on key titles
- Applying sensible pricing strategies
- Negotiating trade deals and discounts
- Responding to customer queries about books and availability
- Assisting in identifying the best new natural history, ecology and conservation books for inclusion in the catalogue and promotion to different customer groups; Creating subject lists for email promotions, conferences and printed catalogues
- Working with the marketing team on other book promotions, including blog posts, author interviews, publisher profiles, signed copies, seasonal sales, clearance sales, and book reviews
- Representing NHBS at conferences across the UK and Europe in the future
Required Skills and Experience
- An interest in all natural history and ecology books, from species monographs to field guides, textbooks, field manuals, ecological theory and polemic texts
- Skilled in project management, and demonstrated experience in long-term project planning
- Good numeracy skills and experience with Excel
- A good telephone manner and outstanding written communication skills
- Confidence and an outgoing personality will equip you to interact with a wide range of stakeholders, including authors, academics, librarians, publishers, members of the public and colleagues
- Above all, we value a common-sense approach, critical thinking and a willingness to learn new skills
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience in book retail, marketing, or publishing
- Experience in negotiating prices and supplier relationships
- Highly self-motivated and focused
- A second language in addition to English would be advantageous
Our offer to you:
Salary: £19,000 p.a., based on a 37.5 hour week Monday - Friday. This full-time permanent position attracts 28 days holiday p.a including bank holidays, up to three paid days of conservation volunteering p.a. and a generous company pension.
How to apply:
To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter with your CV by the 17th January 2021 to Anneli Meeder, Head of Finance & Operations, recruitment@nhbs.com.
About us:
Founded in 1985, NHBS Ltd is based at 1-6 The Stables, Ford Road, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5LE. In addition to the online retail business, NHBS manufactures equipment in an on-site workshop and publishes two magazines. NHBS is passionate about making a positive environmental impact - our core purpose is to support those who work to understand, protect and conserve the natural environment.
The successful candidate will be joining a diverse and friendly workforce of 50 staff, of which approximately 40 are currently working onsite.
Fabricator
Founded in 1985, NHBS Ltd (www.nhbs.com) is a world leader in supplying natural history, ecology and conservation books and ecological survey equipment to institutions, retailers, companies, and private customers around the world. In addition to the retail business, NHBS manufactures equipment in an on-site workshop and publishes two magazines.
NHBS is looking for a fabricator to join our small team in Totnes, where we manufacture a wide range of wildlife survey equipment with a focus on aquatic survey.
The successful applicant will have a working knowledge of metal fabrication and an understanding of precision engineering, in order to assist a busy workshop. The materials you will be working with are marine grade aluminium, stainless steel, wood, brass and precision mesh, with some heavy lifting involved. You will also be using a variety of workshop tools and equipment, together with the necessary safety protection associated with each.
Applicants will be expected to adhere to strict Covid safety rules in our office and workshop including social distancing at all times, use of facemasks and/or visors as required, and observance of all other Covid guidance provided.
Key Responsibilities:-
- Cutting raw material
- Measuring and marking out
- Drilling
- Deburring
- Fabrication of parts by following technical drawings
- Assembling parts into the finished product
The ideal candidate will bring the following to the role:-
- Experience in metal fabrication and assembly
- Knowledge of using fabrication machinery such as a band saw, circular saw, bending machine, belt sanders, pillar drilling machine, angle grinder and other fabrication tools
- Willingness to learn to fabricate our products
- Attention to detail and pride in the finished product
- The ability to work on your feet all day
- The ability to work well in a team
- Good communication and numeracy skills
- Self-motivated and responsible
Our offer to you:-
This permanent position is available immediately. Salary: £18,135 per annum, based on a 37.5-hour week Monday - Friday, with the position attracting 28 days holiday p.a. including bank holidays, as well as a generous company pension.
How to apply:-
To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter with your CV to Laurence Smith at recruitment@nhbs.com by Friday 19th February.
About Us:-
We are based in Totnes, South Devon, right next to the river Dart, halfway between Dartmoor and the coast.
NHBS is passionate about making a positive environmental impact - our core purpose is to support those who work to understand, protect and conserve the natural environment.
The successful candidate will be joining a diverse and friendly workforce of 50 staff.
