Job Description

Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


Education Level
3-year College diploma in a relevant field


Career Level
Requires 3 years of relevant experience













Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement. Unit Description:
The Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, with a contingent of 29 full-time faculty members, conducts leading-edge research and top-tier training of undergraduate and graduate students. We offer undergraduate programs in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, and Sustainable Chemistry, including co-operative education options. We offer state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and instrumentation for both education and research, and maintain rich collaborative relationships with many departments across campus. We are looking for a motivated and organized leader with a growth-mindset who takes pride in providing an excellent customer experience and ensuring efficient store operations. Must have knowledge and demonstrated experience handling chemicals in accordance with safety legislation. Job Summary: Responsible for the successful day-to-day operations of LabStores. Act as an ambassador for the store and ensure the delivery of exceptional customer service. Plans and co-ordinates all inventory, procedural and related stores activities while ensuring budgets are adhered to Purpose and Key Functions:

• Conduct analysis of sell-through, margins, in stock position, and inventory turnover of merchandise.
• Determine the quality and quantity of products purchased.
• Initiate and approve merchandise purchase orders in accordance with department and University purchasing policies. Obtain necessary purchase order approvals when purchase authorization limit has been exceeded.
• Ensure timely delivery, accurate pricing information, and maintenance of data information associated with the products being purchased and resold.
• Negotiate prices, terms, and delivery with vendors.
• Coordinate and oversee the selection and procurement of merchandise including vendor and product selection.
• Coordinate the return of merchandise to vendors for overstock, damaged and defective merchandise.
• Coordinate all price changes on purchased products.
• Ensure that all data, files, purchase orders, invoices, and supporting documentation are current, accurate and understandable for use by other staff to aid in the process of receiving, invoicing, and merchandising.
• Write, proofread, and edit a variety of documents including, but not limited to, training procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs), reports, agendas and correspondence.
• Responsible for ensuring HECMET (Higher Education Cooperative for Hazardous Material and Equipment Tracking) is updated appropriately.
• Assist in creating business plans by providing input into forecasting sales and budgets, write-offs, and discounts.
• Determine the life-cycle of products and coordinate markdown schedules accordingly.
• Oversee inventory control by analyzing inventory trends, and by reviewing receiving logs, outstanding purchase orders, and sales histories.
• Enforce the store?s loss prevention guidelines and inform security of any suspicious or unusual activity.
• Meet or exceed budgeted sales targets.
• Ensure operation expense budgets are adhered to and maintained.
• Develop and implement effective store layouts that maximize the use of space throughout the year, utilizing effective signage, increasing traffic within the store and maximizing merchandise turns.
• Coordinate and direct personnel, communications and resources to ensure smooth and efficient store operations.
• Maintain the operation's customer service standard by demonstrating, fostering, and enforcing behaviours that promote customer satisfaction.
• Greet and actively engage customers on the sales floor to determine needs, locate products and make product suggestions. Ensure staff are greeting and actively engaging customers.
• Foster new connections within the targeted customer base community and strengthen current partnerships to increase store sales while cultivating new sales opportunities and outreach for other retail locations on campus.
• Collaborate with buyers as it pertains to new product selection, merchandise orders and reorders, product returns and dealing with damaged merchandise, minimum and maximum merchandise settings, and timing of shipments. Ensure issues are referred to appropriate buyer or receiving personnel for resolution.
• Direct the work of full-time and part-time staff, ensuring the organized flow of merchandise to the sales floor and overstock areas, Keeping the sales floor well stocked, tidy and designed to maximize sales.
• Edit, compile, and ensure the accuracy of purchase orders. Initiate purchase orders.
• Attend trade shows and industry events as required.
• Run system reports and conduct manual inventory counts of merchandise ensuring the physical inventory matches the reports.
• Remain current with new product lines and make purchases that satisfy the changing market, while maintaining return on investment by continually exploring new and emerging product offerings.
• Coordinate on-site and off-site displays and sales events.
• Liaise with other retail locations on campus and the receiving area to ensure the timely fulfillment of transfers and web orders as well as the smooth flow of merchandise travelling between locations.
• Collaborate with buying staff, marketing staff, and managers to develop effective digital and traditional marketing initiatives such as in-store and online promotions.
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of store policies and the ability to effectively communicate and enforce these policies.
• Act as the first point of contact for store operational issues, explaining store policies to customers on an as needed basis.
• Ensure the proper opening and closing of the store as per the established departmental policies and procedures.
• Train staff on proper cashiering techniques, store policies and procedures and customer service duties. Offer refreshers and demonstrations to staff on an as needed basis to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Maintain the Point-of-Sale (POS) software and e-Commerce platform and perform cashiering duties as required.
• Update, maintain, and verify information in a variety of systems and databases including, but not limited to, the inventory management and point of sale system, and the website.
• Ensure proper inventory control, preparing merchandise for inventory and performing inventory tasks.
• Update, analyze, maintain, and verify inventory control of merchandise, chemicals, media, and supplies and review receiving logs, outstanding purchase orders, and sales histories.
• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of policies and procedures.
• Apply standard mathematical skills such as formulas and equations to complete various calculations including but not limited to taxes, rebates, quotes, and discounts.
• Process, verify, and balance financial transactions such as journal entries, p-card reconciliation, and MacBill invoices.
• Maintain ongoing and proactive communication with Oversight Committee regarding various matters such as necessary store staffing requirements, store hours, delivery timelines, new arrivals, core goods, best sellers, product placement/ features and sell-throughs, customer feedback, sales figures, and opportunities for improvement.
• Providing operational support to the lab store as needed, including opening and closing the store, receiving items, processing sales and returns, and facilitating the movement of merchandise to customers.

Supervision:

• Has ongoing responsibility for scheduling, quality of work etc. for continuing employees (e.g. Lead Hand responsibilities)

Requirements:

• 3-year College diploma in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

Additional Information:

• This position requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail to effectively manage inventory, purchasing, store operations, etc.
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to engage and assist customers, address their needs, and provide product recommendations are a must.
• Understanding of store policies and the ability to enforce them while maintaining a positive and customer-centric environment is critical to this role.
• Must possess proficient anlaytical skills to analyze sales data, inventory trends, pricing information, etc.
• Sound financial acumen is required to negotiate prices with vendors, analyze financial transactions, assist with managing the budget, perform calculations related to taxes, rebates, quotes, discounts, and markups, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must to write documents, collaborate with various stakeholders, train staff, etc.
• Must possess the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment ensuring smooth and efficient store operations.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and relationship-building skills to direct and motivate staff are essential to this role.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, management, internal partners, and external stakeholders is essential.
• Must be proficient in Office 365 software (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, etc.), inventory management systems, database systems, and point-of-sale software.
• Ability to develop effective marketing initiatives and promotional campaigns and participate in short-term and long-term planning is an asset.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills are needed to make informed judgments, identify and resolve operational issues including, but not limited to, inventory discrepancies and customer service challenges.
• Must have excellent knowledge of chemical products, applicable safety regulations, and hazardous material tracking regulations and best practices to ensure compliance.
• Some physical stamina and the ability to lift and move merchandise as needed to help the LabStores Associate is required.
• Ability to stay updated with industry trends, new product offerings, market demands, and emerging technologies is an asset.
• Experience with trade shows and industry events is an asset.
• Knowledge of McMaster and LabStores specific policies, procedures, and systems (e.g. purchasing policies, Mosaic, MacBuy, MacBill, LabStores software, etc.) is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience with retail merchandising principles and strategies related to scientific products and chemicals is an asset.

How To Apply






To apply for this job, please submit your application online.




Employment Equity Statement






McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the ?Dish With One Spoon? wampum agreement. The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, M?tis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. As part of McMaster?s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.




Vaccination Policy Statement






The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers and visitors. The University?s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the ?Vaccination Policy?), requires all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. While the Vaccination Policy is currently paused, it may resume quickly and on short notice, as informed by public health advice and direction. Should it become necessary in future to resume the Policy, all community members will need to demonstrate compliance at that time. Successful applicants in those positions that work in host hospitals or other healthcare sites that have active vaccination mandates in place will need to comply with these and any other health and safety measures necessary as part of their appointment. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated status.