Rental Instrument Analyst

The Rental Instrument Analyst manages the rental instrument replenishment process, forecasting, and reporting by using the RSID (Rental Season Inventory Distribution) platform and systems. This role involves analyzing data, generating replenishment plans, responding to communication (both internal and external), and ensuring optimal inventory levels at Retail Stores, Hubs, Affiliates and School Service Representatives to meet customer demand efficiently. The Rental Analyst collaborates closely with cross-functional teams from Distribution, Merch, Refurbishment, Business Development, IT, and the Field to implement Rental Instrument replenishment strategies, optimize RSID system configurations, and drive continuous improvement in rental instrument processes. The Rental Instrument Analyst plays a crucial role in optimizing inventory management processes and ensuring stores, Hubs, Affiliates and Ed Reps have the right rental instruments available to meet customer demand, ultimately contributing to the success of the rental business.

Key Responsibilities:

• System Configuration: Configure and maintain the RSID system settings, parameters, and algorithms to support effective Rental Instrument replenishment planning for retail stores, Hubs, Affiliates and Ed Reps.

• Demand Forecasting: Utilize historical rental data, market trends, and seasonality patterns to forecast future demand for each rental location by a number of different factors (Instrument Type, Brand, etc.).

• Allocation/Replenishment Planning: Generate allocations to Hubs and all selling locations through forecasts to ensure rental locations are adequately stocked with the right products at the right time.

• System Optimization: Continuously monitor and optimize the RSID platform performance, parameters, and configurations to improve replenishment accuracy and efficiency. Communicate processing issues and action timely and appropriately to ensure minimal impact on business.

• Improve Customer Experience: Monitor out-of-stock occasions to employ changes in rental instrument allocation parameters to eliminate lost rental revenue.

• Provide Outstanding Customer Service: Provide timely and accurate assistance to Stores, Reps, Hubs and Affiliates when product is needed for waiting customers.

• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including other Merchandising teams, Supply Chain, Store Operations, Hubs, School Services and Affiliates, to align rental instrument allocation strategies with business goals and priorities. Work closely with Merchandising teams to understand product assortments that complement the rental instrument and are critical to align on school profile rankings.

• Order Placement and Management: Assist the CAPEX ordering process by creating and managing Purchase Orders with numerous Vendors. This includes communicating with Vendors to get up-to-date and accurate delivery timing.

• Innovate: Identify opportunities to innovate the way we plan for and execute replenishment to include allocation, seasonal profiling, refurbishment, CAPEX needs and in-stock position by rental location and refurbishment.

• Support of Refurbishment Processes: Support process flow and communication of targets by instrument type and brand to our Refurbishment teams.

• Inventory Planning: Determine optimal inventory levels for each store, Hub, Affiliate and Educational Rep based on demand forecasts, lead times, and school-specific factors.

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline the allocation and replenishment processes of rental instruments, enhance system capabilities, and drive efficiency gains in allocation planning and execution.

• Performance Monitoring: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to rental activity such as refurbishment, RSID progression out of Hubs, Workbench Order fills and CAPEX receipts into GCDC, Utilization Rate, service levels, Store and Hub space constraints, and stockouts to assess system performance and identify areas for improvement.

• Issue Resolution: Investigate and resolve any issues or discrepancies related to RSID, Workbench or OPUS preference changes and system errors in a timely manner.

• Documentation: Maintain documentation of RSID system configurations, processes, and best practices related to rental season instrument planning.

• Reporting: Prepare and present regular reports on Dashboards, Scorecards, inventory levels, and key metrics to management and cross-functional teams.

• Communication: Be a go-to resource for other departments when questions arise about Rental Season processes and procedures.

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.