Posted on February 15, 2013

print

Sales Associate

Aperture is a not-for-profit foundation, connecting the photo community and its audiences with the most inspiring work, with the sharpest ideas, and with each other—in print, in person, and online. Created in 1952 by photographers and writers as “common ground for the advancement of photography,” Aperture today is a multiplatform publisher and center for the photo community. From our base in New York, we produce, publish, and present a program of photography projects, locally and internationally. The Foundation offers public programs including lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and conferences that contribute to and expand the dialogue on photography’s role in our society as well as outreach education for children and teens building visual literacy and aimed to engage diverse new audiences.

POSITION OPENING

Aperture is seeking a full-time Sales Associate, reporting to the Sales & Marketing Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Sales and customer service
• Implement and manage bookstore sales and promotional strategies to meet sales goals
• Assist sales department in the sale of books and limited edition products
• Assist Sales & Marketing Director with initiatives related to special sales of Aperture books and prints.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients and collectors, including prospecting and cold calling
• Investigate new opportunities for non-Aperture products to sell in person and on line
• Manage book signings and promotional events in conjunction with the Publicity & Events Manager and other Aperture staff
• Handle all customer service-related inquiries via telephone and e-mail courteously and expeditiously
• Enter all bookstore and web sales invoices into Acumen accounting system
• Attend art and book fairs on occasion, as needed
• Attend sales department and other Aperture staff meetings as required Bookstore operations and gallery
• Manage daily bookstore operations, including oversight of the facilities
• Create and maintain appropriate bookstore and gallery image. Maintain a high level of visual merchandising and housekeeping standards
• Manage store assets and inventory, including consignment items on the Aperture website
• Manage the maintenance of bookstore accounting records and processes
• Monitor daily bookstore sales and manage cash
• Manage the Reception Desk. Duties include telephone switchboard, routing of courier deliveries, greeting of visitors, and other related assignments. Train and supervise work scholars in reception duties and bookstore functions.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in and enthusiasm for all aspects of the sales process
• Enthusiasm for and knowledge about contemporary photography, including books
• Good knowledge of retail operating principles, practices and procedures, including cashiering, accounting, inventory control and maintenance, publicity and promotions, retailing, staff supervision, and oversight of facilities
• Ability to work effectively with other staff members, as well as the diverse groups of the arts community
• Ability to assimilate product information quickly
• Ability to perform consistently under the pressure of deadlines and other administrative demands
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Application Instructions

Please send resume and cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, your current/most recent salary, and how you heard about this opportunity, to newhire@aperture.org, using the following conventions:

Subject line: Sales Associate
Cover Letter: yourfirstname_yourlastname_coverletter.doc
Resume: yourfirstname_yourlastname_resume.doc

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis up through March 4, 2013. NO CALLS, PLEASE

Aperture is an Equal Opportunity Employer