At Music & Arts, the right inventory, at the right time, and in the right place makes all the difference for educators and students. The Replenishment Buyer plays a critical role in keeping our stores appropriately stocked through the unique rhythms of the school year by balancing demand forecasts with vendor lead times, transit costs, and financial goals to support our educational mission. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented inventory management or buying professional who thrives in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
The Replenishment Buyer offers a strong opportunity to deepen your expertise in inventory management within a highly collaborative retail environment. You’ll lead Allocation, working closely with the Category Management team, Merchandise Planning team, Marketing team, Supply Chain team, and Store team to support school-driven assortments. You’ll have responsibility for placing purchase orders for inventory and overseeing the allocation of that inventory to distribution hubs and stores. By continually monitoring store in-stock rates, DC inventory levels, order lead times, and on-order product you will play a key role in keeping Music & Arts running smoothly.
Essential Functions (not all-inclusive):
Inventory & Replenishment Management
- Lead Allocation partners in managing replenishment for assigned Music & Arts categories (e.g., band & orchestra instruments, accessories printed materials, rentals, and supplies)
- Create, manage, and release purchase orders based on Planning forecasts, sales trends, seasonality, lead times and supply chain expense management
- Ensure strong in-stock performance during peak periods including back-to-school, rental season, and concert cycles
- Monitor inventory levels, weeks of supply, backorders, and excess inventory; recommend and execute corrective actions
- Support rental and school-specific inventory needs in partnership with planning and operations teams
- Manage the allocation of goods across multiple warehouses, and stores
Forecasting & Analysis
- Partner with Merchandise Planning to align replenishment with annual, seasonal, and promotional plans
- Analyze sales trends, historical demand, and school calendar impacts to refine allocation forecasts
- Monitor vendor performance, fill rates, and lead times to identify risks and opportunities
- Support item transitions, new item introductions, and end-of-life strategies
Vendor Management
- Maintain strong working relationships with domestic and international vendors
- Communicate forecasts, seasonal needs, and priority SKUs to support Music & Arts’ service-level commitments
- Resolve vendor issues including shortages, substitutions, late shipments, and cost discrepancies
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners across Distribution Centers, Store Operations, Rentals, and Field Teams to support execution
- Support promotions, catalogs, and school-driven programs through proactive inventory planning
- Partner with Supply Chain to manage inbound flow and mitigate constraints during peak seasons
Operational Excellence
- Ensure item setup accuracy
- Maintain data integrity across merchandising and inventory systems
- Prepare regular reporting on inventory health, service levels, and action plans
- Identify opportunities to improve replenishment processes, tools, and vendor collaboration
About Music & Arts
Music & Arts embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. We strive to create lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the almost indescribable happiness that comes from playing an instrument. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion.
The first Music & Arts was located in a small house in Bethesda, MD and run by founder Benjamin O'Brien. When Music & Arts opened its doors in 1952, we offered printed music, music lessons, dance lessons, and art supplies. Ben decided shortly after opening his business that he wanted to focus on music to better serve his customers -- a decision that remains intact to this day.
Since the 1990's, Music & Arts has expanded nationwide through organic growth and a series of acquisitions and mergers with other music dealers. In 2005, Music & Arts joined forces with American Music to become the largest band and orchestra instrument retailer in the United States. Based in Frederick, MD, Music & Arts is now part of the Guitar Center enterprise and comprises 225+ retail stores, 200+ educational representatives, and 250+ affiliate locations.
To join our band, you'll need the following experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 2–4 years of experience in replenishment, buying, inventory management, or supply chain
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales and inventory data
- Proficiency in Excel with V-lookups, Pivot Tables and pulling together large data sets into cohesive reporting
- Inventory and/or planning systems experience
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
Preferred
- Experience in specialty retail, education-focused retail, or multi-seasonal assortments
- Familiarity with school-year driven demand cycles or rental programs
- Experience working with long-lead-time vendors or import product
- Understanding of Retail Math: Sales, GM, Turns, Sell-through, weeks of supply, and fill rate
Why Guitar Center? Here's just some of the rewards:
For our employees who are musicians we offer the unique opportunity of gig leave--take time off to share your music with the world and return to your job after your tour! Guitar Center offers robust benefits and perks, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plus company match, mental health support, paid sick/holiday/vacation time, employee discount program, and tuition reimbursement options.
Pay Rate: $75,000 - $80,000/yr depending on background and experience.
This position is eligible to participate in the Guitar Center Company bonus program based on Company performance.
The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education, and other factors. The pay range(s) listed are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.
With a career at Guitar Center, you become part of the world's largest multichannel musical instrument retailer. Whether at our Stores, Contact Centers, Distribution Centers, or Support Center, Guitar Center employees have a common goal: to help people find their sound and fill the world with more music.
Love this gig and want to apply?
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