This week we’re excited to welcome Roopa to the team in the role of Libraries & Commercial Sales Hero!
Roopa will be looking after our growing community of school libraries who support Book Hero, working to get more amazing books into the hands of tamariki right across the country. She’ll also be supporting our Sales Heroes as a specialist replenishment buyer (more on that below), so it’s fair to say she’s going to be busy 😅
What inspired you to join the Book Hero team?
I visited Book Hero with my partner Oli and our two girls on last year’s Bookshop Day and immediately loved the vibe. Seeing the team so passionate about books, alongside the excitement of the brand new bookshop and a warehouse packed full of stock, was genuinely inspiring. I especially loved the focus on kids and the care taken to make sure every customer was having a great experience.
My partner Oli is a librarian, so it’s fair to say books are very much part of our family DNA, and the role felt like a perfect fit.
Tell us about your role
There are two parts to my role: looking after our school librarians and supporting our Sales Heroes with replenishment buying.
As a replenishment buyer, I’m responsible for making sure we’re holding just the right amount of stock of each title, which is a real challenge in books given the sheer number of titles available. Book Hero’s high service levels and overnight delivery promise were a huge part of what attracted me to the role, and holding the right stock is key to delivering on that promise. I’ll be working closely with Shirl to get pre order numbers right, keep an eye on upcoming trends, and monitor backlist sales so our shelves are always stocked with what customers want. We know no one likes to wait.
While I have a lot of experience in replenishment buying, the libraries side of the role is new to me and something I’m really looking forward to. I’ll be keeping librarians up to date with our latest books for children and teenagers, as well as working directly with them on larger orders that require more planning and clear communication around stock levels and delivery expectations. Schools have different needs to retail customers, so it’s great for Book Hero to have dedicated support for these accounts.
Why do you think it’s important for kids to have access to books at school?
With the amount of technology kids have access to now, it’s more important than ever that they still have regular opportunities to read physical books. Not every child is able to visit a library outside of school, so having books readily available at school plays a huge role in supporting reading and learning.
Reading also gives kids a chance to step away from screens and spend time in their own imaginations. As a parent, I completely understand how kids can end up on iPads over the weekend. Life is busy. Providing access to books at school gives children another option, and often that’s where a lifelong love of reading really begins.
Do you have any favourite books you love to gift?
I love gifting kids the boxed Dr Seuss collections, especially the special or limited editions. It wasn’t until my own girls were gifted them that I really rediscovered how special Dr Seuss is as an author. Books like Green Eggs and Ham are ones you can read over and over again without them ever getting old.
They make such a meaningful gift because they’re books you know will be kept and revisited for years.
Favourite book you read recently?
Verity completely took me by surprise. At first, some of the female characters felt almost exaggerated, and I even caught myself thinking it read like it had been written by a man. But as the story unfolded, everything clicked into place and those choices suddenly made perfect sense. It absolutely got me. Unsettling, clever, and one of those books that stays with you long after you finish it.
I also love horror, so naturally I’m a fan of anything by Stephen King, and I’m still working my way through his backlist.
We hear you love board games. Any favourites?
Mansions of Madness is a big favourite of mine, although I don’t think we stock it yet, so that may need to go on my to do list. It’s a really fun mix of a board game and a video game, with an app that guides the story as you play. I love anything a bit scary, so the horror elements really hook me, along with the DnD style decision making and exploration.
On the other end of the spectrum, Ticket to Ride is an obvious favourite. It’s perfect for playing with both adults and kids, and because you don’t really know who’s winning until the end, it keeps things friendly. Especially important when you’re playing with people who don’t love losing.
What do you like doing outside of work, reading and board games?
I love travelling with my family, especially road tripping and camping. I’m also a big Formula One fan (go Mercedes!), which I'm surprised to learn is something I share with the majority of the Book Hero office!
What’s something people may be surprised to learn about you?
I love cruises so much that I actually got married on a cruise ship… in the Bahamas!
Please give Roopa a very warm welcome. We’re incredibly lucky to have her on the team. To celebrate, we’re throwing one of our customary Welcome Sales, so check out her picks below. And if you’re a librarian or buy books on behalf of others, feel free to reach out to Roopa. She’d love to hear from you.
Roopa’s Favourites: A Welcome Sale!
To welcome our new team member Roopa, we've kicked off a sale of her favourite reads. Roopa is a fan of thrillers and true crime so get solving and save up to 15% off 700+ books!
