Director of Category Management & Collection Development, Library Associates [recruiter], Nashville, TN

Library Associates seeks an innovative and enthusiastic Director of Category Management & Collection Development to manage a marketing/sales team and to work closely with our client's primary customers, namely libraries and book stores. Our client, one of the nation's largest and most successful book distributors, requires an individual who brings to this position an in-depth knowledge of libraries, collection development and acquisitions along with a strong background in bookstores and bookselling. The ideal candidate will have the kind of experience, strategic vision and business sensibility to develop and mentor an effective and successful team. This position is in Nashville, TN.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for coordinating and collection development, new store openings, continuations and category management functions across the organization.
• Mentors, leads, and provides direction to a team of merchandising and category management specialists.
• Assesses customer needs to develop and promote merchandising and category management services, collection development services, and opening day collection lists within the respective business channels to achieve sales and profit goals.
• Utilizing excellent oral and written communication skills, lead new business and program development, systems design and customer support for all sales channels.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, masters highly desirable.
• 5 years experience in either library or retail environment or combination thereof. Ideal candidate will possess 3-4 years experience in library collection development, continuations or acquisitions AND 2-3 years in retail bookselling, purchasing or merchandising.
• Commercial/business orientation highly desirable.
• 4 to 6 years of successful management of a team of individual contributors.
• Willingness to travel 2-3 times/year.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

The ideal candidate will benefit from an excellent compensation package including a generous relocation assistance program and a strong bonus structure complete with other benefits.

To Apply:

For immediate consideration, please apply using our online registration at www.libraryassociates.com, or send your cover letter and resume to Jacques Domenge. Please remember to include the job number (#552) in your email or cover letter.