Sales Specialist

Do you love books that change the world? Would you thrive as part of a team that is collaborative, innovative, and flexible in its sales and marketing of books that better people’s lives? 

Are you passionate about books that inspire and empower others? Augsburg Fortress Publishers is seeking a dynamic Sales Specialist to join our collaborative team. In this role, you will play a part in supporting the sales and marketing of impactful imprints, helping to drive growth and engagement. If you thrive in an innovative environment where your contributions make a difference, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity.

At Augsburg Fortress Publishers, you will support the three book-trade imprints: 

Beaming Books: High-quality children’s books that help kids thrive socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Broadleaf Books: Inspiring transformation to foster a more open, just, and compassionate world.

Fortress Press: Compelling theological, biblical, and ethical engagements for the academy and leaders. 

As our Sales Specialist, you’ll execute day-to-day sales activities with a focus on reporting, metadata input, and sales support. In this role, you will provide proactive administrative support to the Executive Director of Marketing and Sales and the Associate Sales Manager. 

This position requires an individual who is fluent in the Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, and is adept at quickly learning sales and marketing platforms, including Edelweiss (Above the Treeling), Circana BookScan, and HubSpot. Attention to detail is a must. We provide thorough onboarding, training, ongoing professional development, and the support you need to succeed and thrive in this role.

Augsburg Fortress Publishers strives to create an environment of inclusiveness, equity, and respect for all regardless of ability, age, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, nation of origin, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Individuals who are committed to contributing meaningfully to diversity and inclusion in publishing are encouraged to apply.

The Sales Specialist is part of our hybrid work model, requiring residence in the Twin Cities area. After in-office onboarding, this position requires working onsite 3 days a week in our Minneapolis office.

The Sales Specialist holds these responsibilities:

• Input weekly marketing and sales metadata updates as directed by the Production team, the Executive Director of Marketing and Sales, and the Associate Sales Manager.
• Support the Associate Sales Manager with organizing biannual sales presentations to key B2B account partners.
• Support the Associate Sales Manager as needed with metadata output for seasonal ONIX feeds (spring and fall).
• Support the Associate Sales Manager with pulling materials and creating presentations for biannual sales presentations, and multiple sales calls every season, with key B2B account partners.
• Assist with the production of seasonal trade catalogs.
• Support the Associate Sales Manager with communications to our key B2B account partners.
• Learn internal ordering system to help serve as back-up when the Associate Sales Manager is out of the office.
• Pack and mail materials and displays to multiple trade and consumer conferences. (Approximately 5-7 per year.)
• Support the Sales & Service team as needed to place orders for bookstore author events.
• Input ad-hoc data as needed into Edelweiss.
• Under the direction of the marketing and publicity teams, create catalogs and promotional flyers in Edelweiss (using templated designs) and our internal metadata warehouse as needed.
• Pull weekly reporting to aid the Publisher and the Executive Director of Marketing and Sales in reviewing sales goals.

Desired education and experience:

• B.A. in Business, Sales, Marketing or other closely related field
• 1-2 years of experience in sales and/or marketing
• Experience, which might include internships, in book trade and/or consumer publishing or related media fields is desirable

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Comfortable with reporting software and Excel; quick to learn new systems
• Ability to manage simultaneous projects with demonstrated attention to detail 
• Strong communicator
• Highly organized and deadline-driven
• Must be able to work in a collaborative environment

The salary range for this position is $45,000 - $50,000 annually. The offered starting salary will be based on the applicant’s knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data for this position.

Augsburg Fortress Publishers offers a competitive salary and a full list of benefits, including health, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible savings account, retirement plan, supplemental life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, and other voluntary plans. Company paid benefits provided are short-term and long-term disability, and basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance. Time off plans include vacation, sick, volunteer, bereavement, and paid parenting leave. Also included is a pre-tax transportation program and no-cost gym access nearby. You will join a collaborative and creative hybrid work environment, with a talented group of 80 individuals who have a passion for their work. The corporate headquarters is located in the North Loop, Minneapolis with access to Light Rail and Metro Transit bus lines.