Part-time, Sales Support [Monday, Tuesday, and Friday]
£14,035.70 per annum.
Location: Leith, Edinburgh
Line Manager: Sales Support Manager
At Bookspeed we’re on a mission to put more books into the world, and we’re looking for a support in sales to help us do that. The Sales Team is supported by a team of Sales Support staff and this support is a critical contribution to the success of the company. Sales Support staff are responsible for ensuring that administrative, reporting, and data provision tasks are completed swiftly and accurately.
We are a fun, creative, customer-focused book wholesaler, curating and supplying gorgeous book ranges for an exciting mix of retailers. Our customers include quirky owner-led boutiques and well-known brands, such as Oliver Bonas and Moonpig, as well as independent farm shops, garden centres and many of the UK’s leading heritage sites and attractions, such as the National Trust and the Natural History Museum.
We also work hard to make Bookspeed the best place to work, placing an emphasis on wellbeing, inclusion, flexible working and fun.
The role
Being the first point of contact for our customers, answering and responding to incoming phone calls is a large part of the role. It is essential you can keep calm under pressure, approach each call in a friendly helpful manner and reassure our customers that they have your undivided attention. Should any problems arise, it is important to approach these with a reassuring caring tone and find appropriate, sometimes, creative solutions to solve the issue.
Other responsibilities will include:
• Working with a group of named Account Managers you will:
o Input orders, credits, returns, chase missing customer deliveries, handle customer complaints
o Research information and complete supplier forms as requested by the Account Managers
o Check emails and manage the release of orders for the Account Managers that you support while they are out of the office or if you are requested to do so.
• Trade show Preparations:
o Assist in the preparation of trade shows, supporting the trade show team as required.
• Information management:
o You will be involved in all aspects of account opening procedures and handle the processing of account opening forms. This process is a customer’s first experience of Bookspeed’s administrative processes; speed and accuracy are of great importance.
o You will have a key role in actively maintaining our customer prospects database
• General administrative duties:
o Work on the front line of contact for incoming enquiries through various channels including phone, email, livechat etc.
o Handling the orders and responding to contact from our inhouse customers.
o Assisting the senior team with various reporting needs
o Order processing and PO requests and credits for all customers
o Processing card payments securely and accurately via an online portal.
The duties outlined in this job description are not exhaustive. The company reserves the right to add to or amend the responsibilities of this role as required with appropriate consultation.
The Successful candidate will:
• Be able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of all Microsoft Office applications, most specifically Excel, however initial training can be provided in addition to continuing training towards greater proficiency.
• Have an excellent phone manner and get on well with people
• Have an understanding that not all customer needs are clear-cut and be willing to take flexible approaches when required
• Handle data according to GDPR guidelines
• Be well organised and have the ability to prioritise workloads in busy periods
• Be able to work both individually and collaboratively - contributing and sharing ideas as a team
• Be adaptable to the changing nature of the business and relish new challenges
• Be willing to undertake any other reasonable duties required by the company
• Previous experience in a similar role will advantage the applicant but is not essential. An eagerness to learn new skills, embrace change and enjoy success is essential.
• Be willing to learn new skills, embrace change, and undertake any other reasonable duties required by the company
We believe diverse workforces make successful working environments, but research has shown that some people from under-represented backgrounds won’t apply for jobs if they feel they don’t tick every box. If you think that might be you and you’d like to work for us, we encourage you to apply.
Working pattern
This position is part time, 22.5 hours per week. Working 7.5 hours per day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays with flexible working between the hours of 8am-6pm, to be discussed with the line manager. Staff have two paid breaks of 15 minutes each and an unpaid break of 30 minutes at lunchtime.
How to apply
Please submit an online application including covering letter via FindaJob OR send a copy of your CV with a cover letter to neill@bookspeed.com.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to an initial interview. In some cases, we may run second interviews.
We want to make applying for our vacancies accessible to all. If you need support to complete your application, please email with your request to our Sales Support Manager: neill@bookspeed.com
There is no fixed closing date for applications, however, we will end the recruitment process as soon as a suitable candidate has been found and would advise any interested applicants to apply for the position as soon as possible.