Children and Middle Grade Sales Specialist
Job Type: Base plus commission paid monthly (1099 employee)
Reports To: Store Owner / Senior Bookseller
About Us:
The Brown Dog Bookshop is a cozy, independent bookstore dedicated to fostering a love of reading and supporting our local community. We specialize in a carefully curated selection of books across genres, host regular bookish events, and pride ourselves on offering a warm, personalized experience for every customer who walks through our doors.
Position Summary:
The Children and Middle Grade Sales Specialist is responsible for driving revenue through school partnerships, group sales, and offsite/on-site book fairs. This role is ideal for a self-motivated, relationship-driven individual who is passionate about connecting young readers with books while growing the bookstore’s presence in the community.
Key Responsibilities:
Group Sales Development
Identify, pursue, and manage relationships with schools, daycares, homeschool groups, and youth organizations
Develop customized book lists and bulk order solutions for classrooms, reading programs, and events
Actively generate new business through outreach, networking, and community engagement
Book Fair Planning & Execution
Plan, coordinate, and execute successful book fairs (both in-store and offsite)
Handle logistics including inventory selection, setup, staffing, and breakdown
Work with schools and organizations to tailor fairs to their audience and goals
Track sales performance and optimize future fairs
Sales & Revenue Growth
Meet or exceed agreed-upon sales targets through group and event-based selling
Maintain strong follow-up practices to build repeat business and long-term partnerships
Upsell relevant titles, series, and add-ons to maximize order value
Curation & Merchandising
Select age-appropriate, engaging inventory for children and middle grade
Highlight diverse, inclusive, and high-interest titles for children and middle grade
Stay current on trends in children’s and middle grade literature
Community Outreach
Represent the bookstore at local events, school functions, and literacy initiatives
Build lasting partnerships that position the bookstore as a go-to resource for young readers
Qualifications:
Strong sales, networking, or business development experience (retail or education preferred)
Knowledge of children’s and middle grade books
Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently
Excellent communication, organization, and relationship-building skills
Experience with event planning or coordination preferred
Passion for selling children and middle grade books
Enthusiasm for representing The Brown Dog Bookshop in the community
Bonus Points:
Familiarity with indie publishing or small presses
Love for dogs
Interest in hosting or coordinating book-related events
Local community ties or knowledge of the area’s literary scene
Experience with managing children’s events and gatherings
Creative skills in writing, design, or social media
Why Join Us?
Working at The Brown Dog Bookshop isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be part of a space that values stories, connection, and curiosity. If you’re someone who loves books and wants to help others find the perfect one, we’d love to meet you.