Book Sorting Specialist

Employer Location: ANTRIM

Job description

Oxfam Ireland is currently looking for a Book Sorting Specialist to join our team based in Dunmurry.

Responsibilities

• Sort and categorise donated books, media, and printed materials by category, condition, quality, and resale potential.
• Prepare stock for distribution to Oxfam shops, bookshops, online sales, or recycling streams.
• Process incoming donations from multiple streams including postal donations, book banks, shop transfers, and corporate donations.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping, organisation, and stock rotation within the sorting area.
• Assist with stock reporting and inventory processes where required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, retail teams, and eCommerce teams.
• Identify valuable, collectible, vintage, academic, rare, or specialist books for online sales or specialist retail channels.
• Maintain accurate categorisation and stock handling standards.
• Ensure stock is packed, labelled, and prepared efficiently for onward distribution.
• Work to agreed productivity and quality targets set by the Distribution Centre Manager.
• Contribute ideas and improvements to maximise reuse and income generation.
• Support loading and unloading of deliveries and donations when necessary.
• Contribute ideas and improvements to maximise reuse and income generation.
• Contribute ideas and improvements to maximise reuse and income generation.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Previous experience in a book shop, book stock handling, library, charity, or book-related environment.
• Comfortable undertaking physical work including lifting, moving boxes, and prolonged standing.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to identify quality and condition across a wide range of book categories.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Basic IT skills including familiarity with Microsoft Office and stock systems.
• Basic IT skills including familiarity with Microsoft Office and stock systems.
• Good time management and ability to work to targets.
• Interest in books, media, literature, or second-hand retail.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in second-hand bookselling, charity retail, libraries, publishing, or recycling operations.
• Experience working with volunteers or supporting team training. Interest in sustainability, circular economy, or reuse initiatives.
• Knowledge of book genres, authors, ISBN systems, collectible editions, or online resale.
• Experience identifying vintage, rare, or high-value books..