What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Specialist position at Klett World Languages?
About us
Klett World Languages is a growing educational publisher located in Chicago with a flourishing North America market share. Publishing high-quality Spanish, French, German, and Italian content for grades K-12 and higher education, Klett World Languages is the newest venture of the European-based Klett Group, which was founded in 1897 and encompasses 80 educational enterprises.
At Klett World Languages, we create content that helps students build authentic communicative competence and become global citizens. Our materials are authentic, accessible, and help students create connections to our increasingly global world. We strongly believe that educators play a key role in language learning. Therefore, part of our mission is to support them and provide opportunities for professional development. At Klett World Languages, we are driven to change world language education in North America for the better.
Klett World Languages is uniquely positioned as a start-up publishing company in the U.S. and Canada yet is financially backed by a leading European publishing group. Because of this, we have been able to think outside of the box and redesign language learning to meet today’s needs. It’s no surprise that we are called “disrupters” within the world language publishing industry.
Klett World Languages supports an international work environment and global work culture that provides room for personal and professional growth as our market share expands exponentially throughout the U.S. and Canada. The leadership makes a concerted effort to respect work-life balance through generous paid time off (PTO) and remote work policies, flexible schedules when possible, and paid professional development. Leadership encourages a growth mindset, provides coaching, and promotes belonging and inclusivity. Klett World Languages also rewards its team for its growth and success through individual bonuses tied to evaluations, prizes and rewards tied to sales earnings, and yearly retreats.
The Klett World Languages Team is driven by the mission of how we can help change world language education in North America for the better…are you driven to make this change with us?
Responsibilities
The Operations Specialist will be responsible for day-to-day administration of our supply chain, ensuring that our materials reach our customers on time. They will report directly to the Director of Strategic Opportunities and the Lead Operations Specialist. The position involves communicating with customers, partners, and providers. It requires a team member who has the ability to adapt quickly and work efficiently. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated, flexible team-player, looking for a challenging role in a driven, yet supportive environment.
The Operations specialist will:
- Execute, evaluate, and continuously improve supply chain processes, from production to delivery to end customer
- Analyze pricing, discounts, and profit margins on sales and propose improvements to existing models
- Serve as the primary contact between KWL and its distribution center for day-to-day business
- Assist with coordination of Operations projects, including software implementations, pricing changes, sales team trainings, and fulfillment improvements
- Maintain and fine-tune internal orders, inventory, and pricing databases
- Provide front-line customer service, replying to customers’ questions concerning order placement, processing, and fulfillment
- Troubleshoot order fulfillment issues
- Receive and process orders
- Issue invoices and process payments
- Monitor inventory on day-to-day basis
- Assist with inventory planning
- Assist company accountants by recording sales transactions in real time
- Monitor incoming freight shipments to KWL’s distribution centers
- Propose improvements to existing supply chain solutions
- Prepare quotes for large customers
- Other tasks as needed at the discretion of the Vice President of Operations
Qualifications, knowledge, and skills
- Authorization to work in the United States
- Bachelor’s degree
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and GSuite Skills
- Experience with NetSuite, QuickBooks, or a similar ERP solution
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent customer service skills
- Outstanding communication skills
- Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines with little supervision
- Proficiency in Spanish strongly preferred
Benefits:
- SIMPLE IRA with a 3% employer match
- 16 days PTO (increases to 25 after two years with the company)
- Health insurance (75% paid by employer)
- Paid federal holidays
- Parental leave (50% paid for up to 12 weeks)
- Professional development allowance
- Bonus: up to 10,000 USD (at company’s discretion, upon sales and end of the year results).
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume to jobs@klettwl.com. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
We value diversity and strongly encourage applications from members of minority or marginalized communities.