Assistant Buyer

Position Summary

This position directly supports all Schmitt Music sales and is essential to providing superior customer experience to both external and internal customers by representing our Core Values:

·        Serve your customers.

·        Do what’s right, not what’s easy.

·        Improve continuously.

The Assistant Buyer will assist with purchasing activities that support our target markets of school band, orchestra, and piano customers. Primary responsibility for accessory categories including reeds, strings, cases, maintenance items, and other accessories that support Schmitt Music’s core area of focus.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

·        Create and submit purchase orders with vendor partners accurately and on time.

·        Track order status, ETAs, and backorders, proactively communicating updates and resolving issues.

·        Maintain accurate SKU data to support purchasing and sales execution.

·        Use AIM POS (or similar) to create POs and manage SKU and ordering details.

·        Deliver responsive internal customer service to sales teams, reps, and directors while modeling Schmitt Music’s Core Values and supporting other business needs as assigned.

·        Manage replenishment purchasing cycles in coordination with the Inventory Controller.

·        Communicate substitution options to minimize lost accessory sales.

·        Support institutional accessory purchasing and replenishment needs for school programs in coordination with Educational Representatives and internal sales teams.

·        Provide proactive support to Educational Representatives by coordinating product availability, pricing, and order status for institutional accessory demand.

·        Monitor institutional accessory orders, backorders, and vendor lead times, and communicate delays, substitutions, or supply issues in a timely manner.

·        Help maintain accurate product data for institutional accessory categories, including vendor costs, pricing, and item setup details.

·        Support timely and accurate execution of institutional accessory orders during peak school service seasons.

·        Foster a strong team-oriented culture by stepping in to support colleagues and help the team accomplish shared goals during busy periods or shifting priorities.

Work Environment & Expectations

This position is based onsite in Bloomington, MN and is primarily performed in an office environment with regular collaboration across departments.

The role may involve time in warehouse and retail environments to support inventory coordination, product management, and operational collaboration with warehouse teams, store teams, and other operational departments.

Responsibilities may include standing, walking, and occasional handling of merchandise while reviewing product, assisting with inventory processes, or supporting operational needs. Team members must be able to safely lift and move items weighing up to 20 pounds as needed.

Schmitt Music operates a seasonal business, and operational demands increase during peak periods. Team members in this role are expected to demonstrate flexibility and a strong team mindset during busy seasons to help ensure operational success and excellent service to both internal and external customers.

This role requires consistent collaboration with cross-functional teams including purchasing, warehouse operations, fulfillment, shipping and receiving, inventory control, educational representatives, and store operations.

Note: This job description is not intended to cover every responsibility or task associated with the position and may evolve over time.

Schmitt Music is an equal opportunity employer. At Schmitt Music Company, we recognize and appreciate the importance of creating an environment in which all Team Members feel valued, included, and empowered to do their best work and bring great ideas to the company. We recognize that each Team Member’s unique experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints add value to our ability to create and deliver the best musical products and services to our customers.

Preferred Qualifications

·        General knowledge of musical instruments, accessories, and print music.

·        Strong knowledge of band, orchestra, and percussion instrumentations.

·        Superior organizational and follow-up skills to ensure order accuracy and communication are timely to meet customer needs and deadlines.

·        Process oriented and efficiency driven; able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

·        Detail oriented with ability to prioritize work while under pressure; ability to meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.

·        Superior customer service and customer relationship building skills.

·        Effective and efficient knowledge of computers and Microsoft programs required.

·        Knowledge of AIM POS or similar systems to place purchase orders, run reports, and manage SKU details.

·        Limited travel.

·        Ability to work necessary hours to support retail sales; may include occasional overtime to support the seasonality of the business.

Salary : $18 - $22