Back to jobs
New

Academic Book Procurement & Logistics Lead

Remote - United States

Innodata (Nasdaq: INOD) is a global data engineering company. We believe that data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are inextricably linked. Our mission is to enable the responsible advancement of artificial intelligence by providing the data, evaluation frameworks, and human expertise required to build AI systems that can be trusted at scale. We provide a range of transferable solutions, platforms, and services for Generative AI / AI builders and adopters. In every relationship, we honor our 36+ year legacy delivering the highest quality data and outstanding outcomes for our customers.

Scope of the Role: 

 

Innodata is seeking an experienced Academic Book Procurement & Logistics Lead to build and scale a global sourcing and distribution operation for used and academic books. This is a senior, high-impact role at the intersection of publishing, supply chain, and global logistics — responsible for establishing the infrastructure that sources, acquires, and moves large volumes of academic content across multiple countries and markets.

You will own the full procurement lifecycle — from identifying and negotiating with suppliers to managing international freight, customs clearance, warehousing, and inventory. This role requires deep knowledge of the global used academic book ecosystem and the operational expertise to build scalable, reliable sourcing partnerships that can grow with the business.

What You’ll Own:

  • Global Procurement & Sourcing

    • Build and manage a global network of suppliers including universities, libraries, wholesalers, distributors, used-book marketplaces, and academic publishers
    • Develop and execute procurement strategies to source large volumes of academic books across multiple countries efficiently and cost-effectively
    • Identify, evaluate, and onboard new sourcing partners — negotiating pricing, terms, volume commitments, and exclusivity agreements
    • Monitor market trends in academic publishing, used-book pricing, and library acquisitions to stay ahead of supply opportunities
    • Build relationships with key stakeholders across the academic ecosystem — university bookstores, library systems, remainder dealers, and secondary market platforms

    Logistics & Supply Chain Operations

    • Oversee end-to-end international logistics including freight forwarding, customs clearance, import/export compliance, and last-mile delivery
    • Manage relationships with freight carriers, customs brokers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs) across multiple geographies
    • Design and optimize warehousing and fulfillment operations to handle large-scale book inventory across multiple locations
    • Ensure timely, cost-efficient movement of inventory while maintaining quality standards and minimizing damage or loss
    • Build contingency and risk mitigation plans for supply chain disruptions, customs delays, and carrier issues

    Inventory Management & Cataloging

    • Implement and oversee inventory management systems that track stock levels, ISBN data, condition grading, and valuation across the entire catalog
    • Ensure accurate cataloging and metadata management — ISBN, title, edition, publisher, condition — for all acquired inventory
    • Develop quality control processes for grading and processing incoming used book inventory
    • Optimize inventory turnover, reduce dead stock, and ensure fulfillment accuracy

    Vendor & Partnership Development

    • Negotiate contracts and service agreements with suppliers, logistics providers, and distribution partners
    • Build long-term strategic sourcing partnerships that provide reliable, scalable supply at competitive pricing
    • Develop performance metrics and scorecards for vendor management and ongoing evaluation
    • Identify opportunities to expand sourcing into new markets, geographies, and academic categories

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Have:

 

  • 10+ years of experience in used-book, academic publishing, library acquisitions, or book distribution industries
  • Proven track record sourcing and procuring large volumes of academic books across multiple countries
  • Strong established network with universities, libraries, wholesalers, distributors, and used-book marketplaces
  • Experience with academic publishers (Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Cengage, Springer, Wiley, Elsevier)
  • Background with library suppliers (Baker & Taylor, Ingram, EBSCO, ProQuest)
  • Familiarity with used-book marketplaces (AbeBooks, ThriftBooks, Amazon Marketplace, Chegg, VitalSource)
  • Deep expertise in international logistics, freight forwarding, customs compliance, warehousing, and supply chain operations
  • Hands-on experience with inventory management systems, ISBN/cataloging, and used-book grading standards
  • Proven ability to negotiate complex vendor contracts and build strategic sourcing partnerships at scale
  • Experience managing cross-functional teams across procurement, logistics, and operations
  • Strong analytical skills — comfortable with procurement data, inventory metrics, cost modeling, and supply chain reporting
  • Ability to build from scratch — this is a builder role requiring entrepreneurial thinking and operational execution

 

 

The expected hourly salary range for this position is $35- $40 p/hour, based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

 

Please be aware of recruitment scams involving individuals or organizations falsely claiming to represent employers. Innodata will never ask for payment, banking details, or sensitive personal information during the application process. To learn more on how to recognize job scams, please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s guide at https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/job-scams. 

If you believe you’ve been targeted by a recruitment scam, please report it to Innodata at verifyjoboffer@innodata.com and consider reporting it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Are you proficient in any other languages? *
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

If yes, you can always opt-out by replying STOP. 

If you opt-in to the service, Innodata Services and its affiliates may send you SMS messages to notify you of any updates to your application status and to engage in discussion throughout your application process.
 
Message frequency may vary depending on the type of communication. Standard message and data rates may apply according to your mobile carrier’s pricing plan.
 
You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any SMS message received from us. Once you opt out, you will no longer receive SMS communications from us unless you re-subscribe.
 
For assistance, reply HELP to any message or contact us at talent@innodata.com
 
Mobile information will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes

Privacy Policy

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Innodata Inc.’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.