Operations Specialist

Aspen Publishing is seeking an Operations Specialist to be a part of our growing Operations Team. This position is based in our Burlington, MA, office with a hybrid office/work-from home schedule - we will consider a remote hire for the right candidate. You will work in partnership with the Customer Service, Finance, Production, Marketing, and Sales Teams to deliver on Aspen’s mission to empower customers to achieve educational and professional success by connecting them with the trusted, proven content and tools. We are looking for an Operations Specialist who is passionate about inventory, customer service, and operational efficiency - is that you? 
TITLE: Operations Specialist
REPORTS TO: Operations Manager
DEPARTMENT: Operations
FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT
POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for managing inventory and returns, and maintaining operational efficiencies; product setup in the ERP system; working with the customer service and finance teams to efficiently handle all return related customer requests.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inventory
  
  • Oversee product setup in the ERP system and coordinate appropriate setups at POD vendors and other applicable systems
  • Maintain products, communicate changes to update applicable systems, and enter price changes
  • Monitor inventory levels by reviewing sales history, sales projections and stock status reports; Recommend reprint quantities that will ensure cost-effectiveness and avoid out-of-stock situations; Prepare list of "hot" titles with low inventory to review weekly; Set minimum levels in the system; Space out reprints throughout the year to reduce bottlenecks for Production, the warehouse, and the printers
  • Recommend print run quantities for all new releases; Consult with Marketing and Sales regarding forecasts; Consult with Production to take full advantage of vendor contracts for maximum cost effectiveness; Balance optimizing inventory turnover with minimizing costs by analyzing printing prices and cost of maintaining inventory
  • Use print run and reprint forms that improve methodology used to calculate press runs; All sales projections and stock calculations need to be documented on forms to better determine reasons for inventory surpluses and/or shortages
  • Maintain regularly scheduled reprint and print run meetings
  • Assist in determining when inventory is obsolete and recommend its disposition; Coordinate OP notices; Recommend titles for LRO (Let Run Out) status and coordinate reducing stock to a minimum level
  • Responsible for ensuring stock level in the system is accurate. Notify the proper channels about system problems
  • Help coordinate the drop shipment process, making bundles, and other special projects to ensure accuracy of inventory counts, unit cost, billing, and accurate print quantities
  • Help coordinate fulfillment from outside locations to ensure accuracy of counts, unit cost and billing
  • Optimize print on demand and digital solutions and/or smaller reprints at the end of the life cycle to better utilize reusable returns and avoid out of stock situations
  • Work closely with the Channel Sales Group to help monitor Amazon and other consignment stock
  • Manage returns data processing from warehouse partner within ERP system
• Returns
  
  • Prepare and approve return authorizations
  • Partner with the Cengage Liaison to review returns documentation and prepare for processing
  • Monitor and confirm that all returns have been processed in the ERP within 7 days of warehouse report, maintain database of unmatched returns
  • Partner with the Finance team to respond to customer inquiries related to invoices and returns/credit memos
• Cross-train within the department; Help with department projects and serve as backup for co-workers as needed
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree related field experience
• 3+ years of Operations background preferred
• 3+ years of ERP, Word, CRM, and Excel experience required
• Proactive self-starter with hands-on approach with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong customer service and communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong prioritization, multitasking, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to liaise between internal and external groups
• Ability to work quickly and accurately in a fast paced, changing environment
• Ability to meet deadlines in a consistent and accurate manner
• Demonstrated ability in working independently and as part of a team

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Normal Office Environment
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to work on computer for extended periods of time
• Ability to listen and speak carefully while interacting with others
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally

ABOUT US: Aspen Publishing is a leading provider of educational content and digital learning solutions to law schools in the U.S. and around the world. Aspen provides best-in-class solutions for legal education through authoritative textbooks written by renowned authors and breakthrough products such as Connected eBooks, Connected Quizzing, and PracticePerfect.
In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a wide array of benefits including your choice of health and dental plans, generous paid time off and holidays, 401k with employer match, and an array of voluntary programs to cover all of life’s eventualities from accidents, to critical illness, to pet insurance.
EOE disability/veteran.
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