Customer Service Associate, Yankee Book Peddler, Contoocook, NH
Posted August 11, 2016
YBP Customer Service Associate
The mission of the YBP Customer Service Associate (CSA) is to provide outstanding customer service to a portfolio of academic library customers, partner with the YBP Sales team, take ownership of customer issues and develop strong relationships with both internal and external customers that support future sales and development. We are looking for a service-oriented individual with experience working in a fast-paced, customer facing environment, able to adapt to and support complex and developing service requirements. Ideally, candidates will have experience in a professional service role that required use of multiple online systems, detailed research and problem solving, excellent communication skills, and effective time management.
Primary Responsibilities:
The following statements describe the general nature of work being performed in this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Additional duties may be assigned by Management:
- For assigned group of customers serve as primary service contact via phone and email
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of GOBI functionality and YBP services, focusing on the ability to effectively triage and respond to customer questions, needs and issues
- Receive issues from customers with confidence, competence and empathy
- Drive resolution of issues from receipt and clarification through confirmation of successful resolution
- Work collaboratively with cross-functional operating teams to ensure appropriate focus and cooperation during resolution phase
- Work collaboratively with customers and CDMs to communicate promptly, accurately and thoroughly in a professional and courteous manner
Role-Based Competencies:
- Service Orientation: Demonstrate empathy, professionalism and ownership in stakeholder interactions. Actively listen to stakeholder inquiries and issues, set expectations for resolution, conduct related research and follow up promptly and manage the issue until final resolution.
- Flexibility: Adaptable to both planned and unexpected changes in schedules, workflows and processes while maintaining a positive attitude. Take on new challenges with enthusiasm.
- Diagnostic Listening: Listens effectively and understands the perspective of others. Asks the right questions – identifying issues, problems, and opportunities. Ability to get to the core issue quickly by understanding what the customer needs are by performing analysis and displaying critical thinking skills. Incorporates the YBP perspective as applicable.
- Judgment: Sets a positive example in the values of learning, teaching, and teamwork. Brings the “YBP experience” to customers. Understands the YBP culture and core principles – strives to exemplify in all interactions with others.
- Influence and Persuasion: Demonstrating courage and integrity by promptly addressing problems or issues, voicing concerns in a professional manner, consulting with others, asking difficult questions, challenging the status quo. Courage to disappoint and knowing how to stand between the customer and the cliff. Focusing on the performance of quality work by understanding the customer’s business, issues, and environment. Creating and maintain mutually respectful customer relationships.
- Planning, Execution, and Accountability: Efficiently planning and performing work in accordance with customer expectations and professional standards. Consistently identifies key milestones for projects and tracks actual vs. plan over time. Assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments. Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major change or challenges at customers or internally. Adjusts to new work structures, processes, customer cultures. Appropriately using resources to accomplish business objectives- applying appropriate standards. Demonstrates awareness and consults when appropriate.
- Communication: Effectively tailoring verbal and written communication for the audience. Ability to use various presentation styles and modes to deliver a clear and concise message. Displays confidence and professionalism in all external and internal interactions.
- Problem Solving: Providing, seeking, and using resources to develop a POV and determine a path to resolution and next steps. Acclimate to new customer work structures, processes, and requirements. Ability to sift through and analyze information to generate alternative solutions.
- Thriving In a High Paced Environment: Demonstrates the ability to adapt quickly – dealing with change and ambiguity. Demonstrates the ability to “keep up” with the constant flow of demands by filtering information appropriately.
- Acquiring and Applying Technical Expertise: Acquiring and applying a deep knowledge of YBP products and services. Applying technical knowledge in addressing customer issues and challenges. Staying current with business and industry information and trends.
Cultural Competencies:
- Drive
- Positive Attitude
- Good Judgement
- Open Communication
- Collaboration
- Desire to Make an Impact
- Eager to Understand
- Accountable
- Decisive
- Team Player
Skills
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience demonstrating project management and customer service skills
- 1-2 years of relevant professional experience
- 2+ years of Microsoft Office experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience or knowledge of book or library industries.
- Experience working with LC, Dewey, and NLM classifications and awareness and understanding of digital content.
- Zeal for exceeding customer expectations by delivering exceptional service.
- Comfort communicating with internal stakeholders and customers through clear, concise and professional verbal and written communications.
- Confidence and tact to deliver difficult messages to customers as well as holding internal stakeholders accountable to a higher standard, and knowing when to do each.
- Ability to uncover the real issue and identify appropriate next steps when faced with incomplete and ambiguous information.
- Ability to analyze customer performance, identify problems, and suggest solutions.
- Innovative with excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to prioritize and work independently and/or as part of a team.
- We will consider junior to senior level candidates.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
To apply visit our careers page at http://www.ebscohost.com/