Midwest Sales Representative

Department

Press Books Sales

About the Department

Since its origins in 1890 as one of the three main divisions of the University of Chicago, the University of Chicago Press has embraced as its mission the obligation to disseminate scholarship of the highest standard and to publish serious works that promote education, foster public understanding, and enrich cultural life. Through our books and journals, we seek not only to advance scholarly conversation within and across traditional disciplines but, in keeping with the University of Chicago's experimental tradition, to help define new areas of knowledge and intellectual endeavor.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago Press seeks a house sales representative to cover the Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MN, OH, WI, WV) for the Press, its marketed clients, and commission clients. Account base is independents, museum, college and regional specialty stores.

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:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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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, includi