Sales Executive, Retail

Introduction to the Role

This is an excellent position in a dynamic sector of publishing, providing support to the Central Group Sales team. The role demands an extremely high level of organisation and initiative, rapid acquisition of company systems proficiency, confident use of Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel. We are seeking a personable, bright individual who can learn quickly, use initiative, solve problems, analyse large data sets, draw conclusions, and make recommendations. The position offers solid experience supporting the team selling to a selection of supermarket and High Street Retailers, with unmatched insight into the publishing landscape across all genres.

Responsibilities – Data and Analysis

• Assist Deputy Retail Director in organising group schedule to suit relevant retail promotions.
• Report in-store pricing across bricks‑and‑mortar retail and use data to feed into retail deals.
• Interrogate sales reporting, identify trends, and create contextualised reports on sales promotions.

Responsibilities – Digital Sales

• Provide administrative support to the Group Retail team.
• Support the Group Sales team in selling effectively to all key retailers for all HarperCollins publishing divisions.
• Create and maintain quarterly sell‑in presentations and Excel grids.
• Liaise effectively with divisional sales teams to ensure information is shared and promotion plans are clearly communicated.
• Manage all team admin, including raising POs and ensuring all costs are loaded onto systems in a timely manner.
• Coordinate all general office administration across the department to ensure smooth management of information and resources.
• Collate weekly sales figures by account for communication across the business.

Person Specification

• Administrative experience.
• Experience utilizing advanced Excel.
• Knowledge of PowerPoint and Word.
• Experience supporting a busy team.

Skills

• Ability to communicate at all levels, both written and verbally.
• Professional, reliable, able to work quickly under pressure and use own initiative.
• Effective time management.
• Very organised.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Benefits

• Hybrid working model (3 days in the office).
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days).
• Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
• Private healthcare cover and life assurance.
• Summer Hours.
• Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24‑hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal.
• Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Relocation rent support loan.
• Employee networks: HC All In, Elevate, HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work.
• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes.
• Virtual GP and eye care vouchers.
• Gym membership discount.
• Onsite physiotherapy (London only).
• Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days.
• Certified Carbon Neutral company.
• Green Electric/Hybrid Car Benefit Scheme (salary sacrifice).
• With Trees for Life we plant a tree in the Highlands of Scotland for every permanent hire.
• Free e‑books and audiobooks, digital newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books.
• Subsidised canteen and retail discounts.
• Onsite prayer room.

At HarperCollins, we value authenticity and integrity in our recruitment process. To ensure a fair and accurate evaluation of all applications, we ask that all responses to assessment questions reflect your own thoughts, experiences, and capabilities. This allows us to fairly assess your knowledge, skills, and experience to determine how they align with the role. We value diverse perspectives and genuine contributions, even if answers are not perfect. The use of AI tools or external assistance to generate responses is discouraged unless explicitly permitted for specific tasks.

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to stephanie.jemmett@harpercollins.co.uk with the subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking internships or entry‑level positions. For more information visit https://www.btbs.org/.