Receiving & Inventory Specialist - Books

Description:

About Lovestruck Books & Cafe

Lovestruck Books & Cafe is an independent, romance-focused bookstore in Cambridge, MA. We are a community hub grounded in inclusivity, joy, and a deep love of the romance genre. Having passed our first anniversary, we are a growing business—building the systems to support our next chapter.

Role Snapshot

The Receiving & Inventory Specialist is a vital hybrid role that ensures the seamless flow of products—both books and gift merchandise—throughout the bookstore. This position requires a versatile professional who balances the meticulous, data-driven mindset needed for back-of-house logistics with the warm, engaging personality of a community bookseller.

You will act as a central hub for the store, collaborating closely with the Buying, Events, and Floor teams to ensure all inventory—whether for the sales floor, special orders, or upcoming events—is handled with efficiency and precision. This is a multifaceted role designed for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is comfortable shifting between different types of tasks as the needs of the bookstore evolve.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory & Logistics (Books & Merchandise)

• Precise Receiving: Process daily shipments from publishers, wholesalers, and gift vendors, including specific stock orders for in-store and off-site events. This requires strong attention to detail to verify physical quantities against packing slips and ensure every item is accurately entered into our POS system, as well as the timely submission of any damage or discrepancy claims
• Merchandise Integration: Manage the unique intake requirements for both books (ISBN-based) and non-book merchandise (SKU-based), ensuring consistent pricing and category tagging across all departments.
• Returns & Reconciliation: Execute the lifecycle of returns for overstock, aged inventory, and unsold event stock. This includes monitoring return windows, requesting authorizations, and securely packing shipments to maximize store credit while adhering to specific vendor or event contracts.
• Shipping & Fulfillment: Lead the picking, packing, and shipping for web orders and customer special orders, maintaining our high standards for presentation and protective packaging.

Bookselling & Floor Operations

• Customer Service: Spend dedicated time on the sales floor providing generalized bookselling support; including handselling, operating the register, and answering phone/email inquiries.
• Shelving & Merchandising: Maintain the organization of the sales floor by shelving new arrivals and backstock, ensuring that displays for both books and gifts remain full and visually appealing.
• Inventory Integrity: Conduct regular inventory counts and section-checks to resolve discrepancies between our digital records and physical stock.

Operational Versatility & General Support

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline our receiving, shipping, or event-prep workflows to help the store run more efficiently.
• Ad-hoc Tasks: As an independent bookstore, we operate in an "all-hands-on-deck" environment. This role includes a wide variety of tasks that may fall outside this specific list, including general store maintenance, project support, and other duties as assigned to ensure the health of the business.

What You’ll Bring

• Detail-Oriented Mindset: You must possess a high level of accuracy. You are the type of person who catches the small discrepancies that others might miss.
• Technical Proficiency: Comfort navigating retail POS systems, spreadsheets, and shipping software.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for long periods and safely lift/move boxes of books and merchandise weighing up to 50 lbs on a daily basis.
• Communication Skills: Ability to collaborate effectively across different teams (Buying, Events, Floor Staff) and provide excellent service to our customers.
• Adaptability: A "no task too small" attitude and the ability to pivot easily between the quiet of the stockroom and the fast-paced environment of the sales floor.

Schedule & Compensation

• Role Type: Full-time, Overtime Eligible; onsite in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.
• Hourly Wage: $19.00 - 22.00 per hour
• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision; PTO; and store discounts (details discussed during interview).
• Hours: Includes a mix of weekdays, weekends, nights, holidays, and special events.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Transportation reimbursement
• Significant employee discount on books, cafe items, and merchandise.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Access to Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) and a vibrant literary community.

How to Apply:

Email resume, cover letter to [email protected].

Please do not reach out to the store location or staff directly regarding your application. All inquiries should be directed to the email above.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Lovestruck Books, we believe that diversity enriches our workplace and enhances our ability to serve our community. We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, nationality, and educational background. We actively seek to attract, develop, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported.