Vacancies at Pemberley Natural History Books
Please download and complete the application form, and return to Pembooks@MSN.com
Closing date for applications: 27 February 2026
Vacancy title: Bookshop and E-commerce Manager
Pemberley Natural History Books
18 Bathurst Walk, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9AZ
01753 631114
Location: Pemberley Natural History Books, Iver, Buckinghamshire, SL0 0DQ.
Two minutes’ walk from Iver station (Elizabeth Line)
Hours: Full-time, 9.30 am–5.00 pm (includes working one or two Saturdays per month)
Salary: £25,000-£30,000 (salary dependent on experience)
Contract: Permanent
Reporting to: Owners (Julie & Ian Johnson)
About Us
Established in 1989, Pemberley Natural History Books is a leading specialist book business. We supply new, second-hand and antiquarian titles published from around the world to a UK and international customer base that includes professional naturalists, scientists, academic institutions, conservation organisations and private book collectors.
Our stock supports research and fieldwork across disciplines such as zoology, botany, ecology, conservation biology and environmental science. The accuracy of our book descriptions, the quality of our service and the depth of our subject knowledge are central to our reputation.
This role plays a direct part in supporting researchers, conservationists and ecologists who are studying the natural world through the supply of specialist natural history books.
The Role
This is a rare opportunity to join a unique small business at an exciting moment of transition. As our long-standing team member approaches retirement, we are looking for a capable, motivated person to help shape the next chapter of Pemberley Natural History Books.
We are seeking an experienced, organised and practical Bookshop & E-commerce Manager to lead and actively participate in the day-to-day running of this specialist book business.
This is a genuinely hands-on role, combining operational leadership with practical involvement in order fulfilment, stock management, cataloguing and customer service. The purpose of the role is to ensure that our shop, website and third-party sales platforms operate smoothly, efficiently and to the high standards expected by our customers.
Working closely with the owners, and with structured guidance and training, you will assume day-to-day operational responsibility; maintaining and improving systems and workflows, supporting the team and contribute to the continued development of our e-commerce and operational capability.
Why This Work Matters
The books we sell are significant, they:
- Help researchers identify species on conservation projects
- Support ecologists studying fragile ecosystems
- Inform rewilding work, taxonomic research and biodiversity monitoring
- Inspire amateur naturalists who contribute vital citizen-science data
- Acknowledge the contribution that past naturalists and explorers have made to our understanding of the planet.
By joining us, you become part of that chain.
Who We’re Looking For
Someone organised, practical and thoughtful, who enjoys both leading and doing, who values accuracy, and who finds satisfaction in helping people who care passionately about the natural world.
Key Responsibilities
Hands-On Operations
- Process customer orders accurately and efficiently, including packing and dispatch, particularly during busy periods. This will include moving boxes of books weighing up-to 20kg.
- Place purchase orders and assist with supplier coordination
- Respond to customer enquiries by email, phone and in-shop, often dealing with specialist or research-based queries
- List books on the company website and third-party platforms (including AbeBooks, Biblio and Amazon)
- Assist with the cataloguing of new, second-hand and antiquarian books, ensuring bibliographic accuracy and clarity
- Organise and maintain stock in the bookshop and external storage facilities
- Maintain consistently high standards of accuracy, organisation and presentation
- Organise and support book displays at external events and fairs
- Coordinate the retrieval and movement of stock from external storage
- Assist the co-owners with acquisitions of used and rare books from libraries, institutions and private customers
Management & E-commerce Oversight
- Supervise and support a small specialist team, providing clear guidance and hands-on support
- Coordinate daily workflows and priorities to ensure operational efficiency
- Oversee e-commerce operations across all sales channels, ensuring reliable fulfilment and excellent customer service
- Oversee social media output
- Maintain high standards of order accuracy and professional communication
- Coordinate social media output in line with business priorities
- Review, improve and document systems, workflows and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Coordinate stock processing and support backlog reduction
- Work closely with the owners on planning, website improvements, marketing and business development
- You will participate in management meetings with the owners to review financial performance, agree targets and contribute to strategic planning
Person Profile
You will be someone who values accuracy, organisation and service quality, and who enjoys combining responsibility with practical, hands-on work. You will enjoy working on your own and as part of a small team. You will be comfortable working in a specialist environment where customers may be leading researchers or conservation professionals.
Essential Experience & Attributes
- Experience in operations, e-commerce, retail or small business management
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail
- Confidence using databases, inventory systems and online sales platforms
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proven customer service experience
- Calm, reliable and effective under pressure
- Collaborative team player with a proactive and methodical approach
- Competent in Microsoft Office (Outlook and Excel)
- Comfortable with hands-on practical work and book handling
- Background or knowledge in natural history, ecology, conservation or life sciences
Desirable skills
- Previous experience in the book trade, or bookshops, libraries, museums, heritage or academic environments
- Knowledge of inventory systems or e-commerce sites
- Experience supervising or managing small teams
- Strong interest in books
- Full driving licence
Benefits
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience
- A varied and meaningful role
- Holiday entitlement (details to be confirmed)
- Free on-site parking
- Staff discount on books
- Opportunity to work in a respected specialist business supporting research, scholarship and conservation
- Close involvement with rare and specialist books