Management

Vacancy: Product & Inventory Manager

Contract type: Full time, permanent
Location: Leith (Hybrid)
Salary: £42,000 per annum, DOE
Line Manager: Publisher Relations Director

At Bookspeed we’re on a mission to put more books into the world, and we’re looking for a Product & Inventory Manager to help us do that.

We are a fun, creative, customer-focused books 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:

We’re looking for an experienced Product & Inventory Manager to join the Bookspeed management team. This is a newly created role and an exciting opportunity to lead an experienced team, developing, optimising and implementing new systems and processes.

Reporting to the PRD, you’ll lead our Stock Control and Bibliographic Data teams, with responsibility for supplier relationships, inventory management and the quality and timely integration of product data.

You’ll work closely with Warehouse, Finance, Sales and external providers to ensure we have the right stock available at the right time, maintaining excellent product data.

As part of the management team, you’ll also play an important role in delivering Bookspeed’s wider strategic objectives and supporting a positive, collaborative working environment.

What you will do:

-Lead, motivate and develop your team, setting clear objectives and supporting individual development
-Identify and implement improvements to systems, processes and ways of working
-Take overall accountability for operational supplier relationships, working closely with the teams ensuring an excellent experience for all suppliers and customers
-Take a hands-on approach to supporting the Bibliographic Data team, ensuring the provision of cover or assistance when required
-Oversee stock ordering and inventory processes, balancing availability, commercial terms, budget and capacity
-Work closely with warehouse to ensure the efficient receipt and management of stock
-Oversee the timely supply, integration and quality of new product data
-Ensure the team maintains accurate, high-quality product data for Bookspeed and its customers
-Work collaboratively with colleagues across the business to deliver Bookspeed’s strategy

What we’re looking for:

Essential:
-Proven experience leading, motivating and developing a team.
-Experience managing accurate, high-quality product or business data.
-Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
-Excellent organisation, planning and attention to detail.
-Clear communication and strong relationship-building skills.
-A commercial and continuous-improvement mindset.

Desirable:
-Experience in inventory, purchasing or operational management.
-Experience managing suppliers and stakeholders.
-Experience identifying and delivering process improvements and efficiencies.
-Experience within the UK publishing or bookselling industry.

Working pattern:

This is a permanent, full-time position, working Monday to Friday for 37.5 hours per week. We offer flexible working, with working hours falling between 8:00am and 6:00pm.

How to apply:

Please submit an online application via Indeed OR send a copy of your CV with a brief covering note to recruitment@bookspeed.com by Friday, 11 September.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to an initial interview. Thereafter, successful candidates will then progress to a second-round interview. If you haven’t heard from us within two weeks once the advert is closed, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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.

Furthermore, 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 recruitment@bookspeed.com.

If we receive a high volume of strong applications, we may close this vacancy early, so early applications are encouraged.

JOB PURPOSE

The Facilities Manager will lead the Facilities Management Team covering offices at 5 Charlotte Square, Broadstone, 211 Sauchiehall Street and also providing support to NTS locations in the Central Belt. This role will primarily involve the presentation of NTS Central Offices as a high standard, well organized workplace; it includes responsibility for compliance and security, administration and planning to make the Central Offices run smoothly.

CONTEXT

In March 2027 the Central Office for the National Trust for Scotland will be at 5 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. The Trust operates other working locations at Broadstone (50 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh) and 211 Sauchiehall Street (Glasgow). In addition, the Trust has buildings at Pitreavie (Dunfermline) and Stenhouse (Edinburgh) which are used for storage or general support to the running of the Trust.

5 Charlotte Square is an A Listed Georgian Townhouse that forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The office space is approximately 12,000 square metres over 6 floors. The property is undergoing extensive renovation with a completion date of early 2027 and a planned date of occupation on 1 March 2027. It will be the responsibility of the Facilities Manager to establish working practices and a building manual in conjunction with the Head of National Estates and the Chief Executive.

Broadstone is currently the Trust’s central office for general services to support the organisation. It is largely an open-plan office of approximately 11,000 sq ft, on one floor with adjacent car park comprising 59 spaces. Broadstone is on a fully repairing and insuring lease, and a service level agreement is in place for the maintenance and repair of plant, building services, security and for cleaning and grounds care services. Approximately 150 head office staff are based at Broadstone which also provides a hub for attendance by regional Trust teams. Additionally, Broadstone’s meeting rooms facilitate and host NTS Board meetings and other meetings with both internal and external stakeholders.

Most of the functions currently undertaken at Broadstone will be required at 5 Charlotte Square.

The post holder will be required to establish the correct working procedures for 5 Charlotte Square, to help with furnishing the building and setting up the routine in the new office. As a central location in the nation’s capital, it is essential that 5 Charlotte Square reflects the values and heritage of the Trust, making the place somewhere that the whole Trust is proud of and feels welcome in a safe and efficient working environment.

It is envisaged that the Trust’s presence at Broadstone will be reduced in January 2028 and withdrawn altogether in January 2030. The Facilities Manager will manage this transition, dealing with the consolidation of office functions at 5 Charlotte Square and the initial reinstatement of Broadstone and subsequent hand-back of the building to the Landlord.

The Facilities Manager will have the responsibility and authority for the security and safety of those persons in the office, including staff, contracted persons, and visitors.

The Facilities Manager will report directly to the Head of National Estates; administrative support and back-up will be provided by the National Estates team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

General Tasks
• Managing the sites at 5 Charlotte Square, Broadstone and 211 Sauchiehall Street.
• Supporting the Trust at other sites including Pitreavie and Stenhouse – there will be other sites as required.
• The postholder will be a keyholder for the buildings, with access to secure areas, including confidential information.
• The post-holder will provide a high standard of service to internal customers and to visitors to ensure that the Trust’s reputation is maintained, responding to enquiries and directing them to the appropriate members of staff.

Support Services
• Responsible for supporting facilities as required to regular head office staff and off-site staff visiting Broadstone, including but not limited to,
o Receiving and processing incoming and outgoing mail and packages in line with safety procedures.
o Operation and monitoring of resource booking systems, (eg, workstation requests, car parking, meeting rooms)
o Ordering, control and replenishment of facilities supplies, such as hygiene consumables, stationery, etc in line with delivery procedures and working closely with the Procurement team.
o Working with IT to ensure that central printing and copying equipment is serviceable and well stocked and providing support with meeting room audio-visual equipment.
• Overseeing the routine of the Central Offices including the provision of building manuals and compliance.
• Coordinating and procuring furniture and fittings.
• Arranging catering for internal meetings.

Health and Safety
• Hosting and organising induction processes for visitors and new personnel.
• In line with stated Trust policies and approaches to ensure the health and welfare of staff/volunteers and visitors in compliance with legislation.
o Assessing and dealing with emergency response situations as they arise in line with business continuity procedures.
o Ensuring the provision of a high standard of hygiene through external contractors, comprising daily cleans of the office and additional cleaning services as required.

Maintenance and building checks,
• Including but not limited to:
o Carrying out property condition/safety and fire safety checks and inspections in line with Safe Systems of Work.
o Initiating and monitoring contractor repair and maintenance in line with contractor management procedures and legislation.
o Storing, maintaining and controlling the use of all tools/equipment at NTS properties and to carry out regular audits of same.
• Maintaining on-line records in relation to the elements above to ensure compliance with legislation.

The current duties of this job do require a criminal records (Disclosure Scotland) check to be carried out.

We are seeking an experienced, skilled and energetic manager to join our team at Crathes Castle, Gardens & Estate, our flagship property in the North East.

Crathes Castle welcomes a six-figure number of visitors from around the world each year. You will be responsible for delivering the overall operational and visitor experience at Crathes, meeting performance standards and targets, achieving the highest levels of visitor satisfaction, and maximising key commercial, financial and development objectives to ensure the property remains sustainable.

Your vision and energy will strengthen our existing offer, bringing fresh ideas to showcase the site to wider audiences, creating memorable visitor experiences, encouraging repeat visitation, and promoting the values of the National Trust for Scotland. You will lead a team dedicated to ensuring that Crathes Castle, Gardens & Estate is recognised as the first-class visitor attraction in the region.

As part of the wider property management team, you will help deliver the visitor services strategy and broader property vision, while promoting strong communication across all property departments, the region, and the wider National Trust for Scotland.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Recruit, induct, develop, motivate and manage staff and volunteers, ensuring they are equipped to carry out their duties to Trust standards and within agreed staffing budgets.

Line manage Visitor Services Supervisors and oversee Visitor Services Assistants.

Link all operational areas across the estate and ensure excellent communication between departments.

Embed a strong health and safety culture across the property, maintain compliance records, and ensure the team follows property risk assessments to reduce incidents affecting volunteers, employees and visitors.

Work with the Operations Manager, Regional Director, Business Manager and Finance Manager to set, phase, monitor and report on budgets, making proactive and reactive adjustments as required.

Support with the delivery of an annual events and functions strategy and actively promote venue hire opportunities.

Create a culture of “exceptional service, every time”, maintaining high standards of delivery and overall estate quality standards, and ensuring every visitor receives a warm welcome.

Spearhead the drive to achieving 5* visitor attraction rating.

Lead the visitor services experience to meet financial targets, maximise income and profitability, and ensure efficient, cost-effective working in line with Trust procedures and instructions.

Deliver the National Trust for Scotland’s core aims of conservation, access and memorable visitor experiences for all guests.

Take responsibility for opening, closing and securing buildings, implementing emergency procedures, duty management and providing relief cover when required.

Act as the property’s designated responsible person for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, including completing the required criminal record check.

Act as keyholder and point of contact for out of hours emergencies.

Work with the buildings and wider management teams to maximise the lifespan of Trust buildings and fittings through appropriate maintenance and replacement programmes.

Ensure the property complies with statutory and organisational requirements for health and safety, food safety, environmental management, alcohol sales, waste disposal and allergens.