Tagged hiring

Microcosm is hiring a Receiver/Shipper in Portland!

piles and piles of boxes in a parking lot

Microcosm is hiring a receiving and fulfillment coordinator in Portland, Oregon

We are seeking a full-time worker to join our growing team at our location in Portland, Oregon. This is primarily a receiving and inventory position, helping make sure our systems are organized and our shelves are well-stocked. Our receiving staff is cross-trained in shipping, helping people get their books and be happy.

Microcosm is an independent book publisher founded in 1996 and based in Portland, Oregon and Cleveland, Ohio. We publish and distribute books, zines, decks and other materials that advance our mission of helping readers change their lives and world. In 2022, Publishers Weekly ranked us the Fastest Growing Publisher, and we also made the list in 2023 at number 3. We are excited to keep growing at a more reasonable pace. Come grow with us! 

Hours: This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with daytime work hours. Shifts are Monday-Friday, roughly 9-5 (8-4 or 10-6 are also doable).

Location: All shifts take place on-site at our office in the Eliot neighborhood of inner North Portland

Experience: This is an entry-level or early career position. No prior warehouse experience is needed—we are happy to train the right person. This may not be an ideal first job, but it would be a great second or third job. Candidates with previous warehouse or book industry experience, or who are changing careers, will be gladly considered, but the key things we are looking for are ability to do the work plus willingness to work hard, learn, be part of a team, pay attention to details, and think critically about systems.

Job duties

Core duties will include:

  • Checking, accepting, and processing shipments of books and other inventory
  • Receiving new inventory into our database, including ISBNs, quantities, expenses, cover images, and location
  • Calculating expenses and checking for accounting errors
  • Reporting damages to the distributor
  • Shelving items quickly, accurately, and without damaging books
  • Finding items that shippers can’t locate
  • Shelf reading and inventory audits
  • Light production work including making buttons and cutting patches
  • Process incoming mail
  • Pull, pack, and ship books to customers
  • Miscellaneous office duties and cleaning

The ideal candidate will have the ability to:

  • Lift 30-40 pound boxes
  • Spend an 8-hour shift mostly on your feet
  • Climb step ladders
  • Wear a mask when required and observe our health and safety policies
  • Quickly and accurately alphabetize
  • Read small print and identify discrepancies (e.g., two books with the same title)
  • Be motivated by accuracy and efficiency
  • Show up prepared and work hard for your whole shift
  • Work independently once trained
  • Maintain an organized workstation and contribute to keeping shared areas tidy
  • Observe all safety procedures
  • Handle materials on topics that may be sensitive to some, including trauma, abuse, addiction, non-christian religions, various marginalized identities, human anatomy, drugs, sexual instruction, erotica, politics, and dad jokes
  • Work collaboratively to come up with improved systems and workflows 
  • Work within our systems while also speaking up when needed, with an “us against the problem” attitude. Open communication is key!

Pay and benefits:

Starting wage is $17-18.75 per hour, depending on experience. Wage and responsibilities will be re-evaluated after 30, 60, and 90 days. 

Benefits include:

  • All company profits are distributed to staff in the form of profit-sharing
  • Health insurance after trial period
  • Paid time off after trial period
  • Employee ownership program after five years
  • Transparent compensation and clear metrics for advancement
  • Meaningful work at a growing company 

Apply by March 21, 2024 by completing this application. No resume or cover letter is necessary. 

Please do not contact us about your application—we will respond to all applicants by April 8, 2024.