Administrative Assistant- Yarn Division

Yarn Division Administrative Assistant

Vancouver, WA / Yarn Division - Administrative / Full-Time, On-Site

Employment Level: Entry level

While we are navigating the current Covid-19 situation, most of our staff is working remotely. This position will require some on-site time with specific team members, and Crafts Group is following all required and recommended guidelines to provide a clean and safe work environment for those who do come into the office. Our teams will continue to primarily telecommute until we return to working in our newly remodeled office space later this year.

A Bit About Us

For thirty years Crafts Group has been making crafts accessible to everyone through quality products and engaging content. Today, Crafts Group is home to four thriving e-commerce brands that serve quilters, knitters, crocheters, and sewists through print catalogs and content-rich e-commerce sites. Our core mission (and passion) is to inspire and enable people to create beautiful things.

The handmade movement is growing worldwide and becoming increasingly relevant to the values our society holds dear. Here in the US, we’re leading this growth. We source the best quality yarns, fabrics, threads, and other supplies so that crafters can do what they do best: create. We give crafters the tools they need to support their handmade lifestyle.

Our close-knit teams for all four brands are headquartered just across the river from Portland, OR. Located ten minutes from the Portland Airport, our Vancouver office is a supportive and creative environment in a newly renovated work space. If you value community, creativity, and all things handmade, this is the place for you.

Crafts Group is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a company that represents the craft communities we serve. We welcome employees of all backgrounds and perspectives, and we are committed to providing an inclusive working environment.

The Challenge and The Opportunity

Crafts Group’s Direct to Consumer (DTC) Yarn Division houses two of the industry’s most highly regarded DTC yarn brands, Knit Picks and WeCrochet. These brands serve knitters and crocheters far and wide with the highest quality products on the market via e-commerce, catalog mailings, and consumer shows. As our DTC Yarn Division administrative assistant, you will be working with both brands, supporting marketing and merchandising workflows.

JOB DUTIES

• Main point of contact for product launches including website proofreading for detail and stock availability, new photography and product categorization. Coordinates with IT, Marketing, Art Director and Photo for deliverables and turns product live on websites.

• Audits and edits product information/layout/categorization on website.
• Proofreads catalog and website for prices and detail; responsible for pagination data entry.
• Manages administrative and mailing tasks involving affiliate and influencer programs.
• Route product to photo department and organizes photography samples.
• Creates marketing orders for supplies, mails product samples.
• Assists merchandising/buying team with purchasing duties, including data entry and product sample tracking.
• Assists on social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, Ravelry, Pinterest); posts to the staff blog.
• Performs other administrative duties, special projects and functions as necessary or as assigned.
• Pattern/Outreach assistance - Prepares collection patterns for website; creates display groups, categories, enters yarn and tool info, enters pattern copy and designer information. Proofreads in-house pattern collections and books.
• Prepares various correspondence as necessary for division Directors, including email, memos, and reports.
• Assists with a variety of projects, including Designer Outreach, event planning, podcast interviews, outreach shipments, and yarn selection/color meetings
• Maintains punctual, regular and predictable attendance.
• Works collaboratively in a team environment with a spirit of cooperation.
• Displays excellent communication skills including presentation, persuasion, and negotiation skills, and is able to remain calm and courteous under pressure.
• Respectfully takes direction from the division Directors.

Within 1 month, you will:

• Undertake administrative and mailing tasks involving affiliate and influencer programs.
• Begin to develop an understanding of the catalog and website production schedules.
• Organize photography samples.
• Create marketing orders for supplies, mail product samples.

• Familiarize yourself with our IT processes and systems.
• Understanding of development cycles and procedures.

Within 3 months, you will:

• Have a good understanding of processes, tools, and systems used by the production schedules.
• Website proofreading for launches.
• Coordinate with Photography, Marketing, and Product Development teams on deliverables.
• Assist merchandising/buying team with purchasing duties, including data entry and product sample tracking.

Within 6 months, you will:

• Through research and investigative conversations, develop a deep understanding of knitters and crocheters.
• Actively seek ways to improve scheduling and processes.

The Team

We are a team of dedicated designers, photographers, web builders, marketers, accountants, customer service specialists, and administrators - working together to provide knitting, crocheting, and quilting products and education to crafters at-large. We are exceptionally collaborative, supportive, thoughtful, and passionate about supporting each other and serving a diverse and expanding customer base. We are a team of people with big ideas who talk openly and candidly with each other, but always with kindness and respect.

Requirements

• Exceptional written communication skills.
• A keen eye for detail, supported by accuracy and efficiency in the execution of administrative tasks.
• Ability to manage a large and diverse work load, and to prioritize tasks and projects.
• Exceptional organizational and planning skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to accomplish tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, ask questions, and get a real understanding of requests and tasks.
• Ability to self-start and manage workflow to meet all deadlines
• An understanding that “That’s not my job” is antithetical to our culture. You’re not above or afraid of rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.
• A background in business administration, operations or other similar role.
• Experience in the Craft Industry a plus.

Experience:

• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
• data entry: 1 year (Preferred)

Education:

• Associates Degree or equivalent (Preferred)

Work Location:

• One location

Benefits

We offer a generous benefit package, including:

• Multiple medical and dental plan options after 30 days (with company contributions to the premium costs)
• Healthcare Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Vision and other voluntary life and income replacement plans
• Company-paid Life and Disability benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Generous paid time off benefits
• Employee discounts at all Premier Needle Arts companies!