Business Support Specialist-Rio for Schools

Business Support Specialist – Rio for Schools 

The Opportunity:

The Business Support Specialist supports operational, administrative, and customer-facing processes within the Rio for Schools (RFS) division. This role ensures accurate account setup, instructor onboarding, PO and quote processing, and data integrity across multiple systems. The Specialist acts as a connector between Sales, Operations, instructors, and academic partners.

This position is ideal for someone passionate about education, highly detail-oriented, and comfortable navigating complex processes, spreadsheets, inbox management, CRM systems, and purchase order workflows. Jewelry industry experience is not required but preferred. A background in education or working with instructors/schools is a strong plus.

The role also supports long-term strategic initiatives, including helping the RFS team analyze data, identify patterns, strengthen networks, and contribute to the broader goal of growing the number of jewelers in the industry—while also supporting emerging partnerships beyond jewelry.

What You'll Do:

Quote Management

• Verify accuracy of account assignments on all quotes.
• Ensure quotes for RFS orders are always generated under NT-60 account classification.
• Support Sales with corrections or adjustments as needed.
• Account Coding & Maintenance
• Purchase Order (PO) Processing
• Confirm customers are set up for POs, including terms and RFS eligibility.
• Review order histories to prevent duplication.
• Add Blanket/Open POs to accounts for seamless future ordering.
• Upload all POs to the Sales Group PO folder for recordkeeping.
• Investigate and reconcile multiple or duplicate accounts, creating clear internal notes.
• Process POs delivered to the RFS mailbox.
• Scan, upload, and properly save all mailed POs in the Sales Group PO folder.

Rio for Schools Instructor & Partner Onboarding

• Support onboarding for all RFS instructors, including high school and private instructors.
• Validate instructor legitimacy using websites, Instagram/FB, or professional presence.
• Ensure compliance with RFS eligibility guidelines
• (e.g., no instructors offering free YouTube/social media classes).
• Maintain accurate instructor data and profiles across systems.

Data, Insight, and Process Support

• Utilize Excel, CRM (HubSpot), and PO software to maintain organized, accurate data.
• Analyze information to spot patterns, connections, opportunities, and big-picture insights.
• Support long-term projects such as expanding the reach of RFS and building career pathways to increase the number of jewelers in the industry.
• Assist with cross-industry relationship building and support networking efforts including tradeshows (e.g., SNAG).

What You'll Need:

• Strong interest in education; experience working with instructors, schools, or academic programs is preferred.
• High level of attention to detail, particularly with:
• Spreadsheets
• Large inbox management
• Multi-step processes
• Excel (intermediate to advanced preferred)
• PO processing software
• CRM systems (HubSpot preferred)
• Ability to manage complex workflows with precision and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently, ask questions, seek clarity, and follow processes.

Preferred:

• Jewelry industry familiarity
• Previous sales, lead generation, or customer relationship experience.
• Previous experience supporting education-focused programs or operations.

Schedule/Work Environment:

• Part-Time (25–32 hours/week; may increase based on business needs)
• Office Environment/Potential for Hybrid

The successful candidate will enjoy a rewarding, challenging, and principled work environment. 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging:

Guided by our core values, Rio Grande is committed to treating all people with dignity and respect. We are an equal-opportunity employer with a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination of any kind. As an advocate for equity and equality, we hire, train, and promote qualified people of all backgrounds. We consider employment candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other underrepresented class. We value our associates and have won the yearly Healthiest Places to Work and Family Friendly Business awards on multiple occasions.

The Reward:
 Rio Grande provides a generous benefit package for full-time (30+ hours a week) associates that includes:

• Medical plan with low premium rates and no high deductible (includes dental and vision) and telemedicine
• 401(k) matching program
• Paid time-off benefits, plus an additional seven paid holidays
• Paid life insurance and optional additional life insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability
• Flexible spending account
• Pet insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-site gym and company wellness program
• Bereavement leave
• Employee discounts at Rio Grande
• Local and national discounts on various travel and entertainment
• Competitive compensation, including an opportunity to share in the profits

Our associates strive for joint accountability. We work together for the success of our stakeholders, and we provide a thoughtful, fun, and creative environment to support them. We encourage professional and personal development through a variety of training opportunities and a focus on promoting from within.

The Company:
Established in 1944, Rio Grande, a Berkshire-Hathaway manufacturer/distributor, has thousands of valued customers around the world. We are a principle-based company with a highly evolved team-based environment. We can show you how a profoundly effective organization lives these values every day. You can find our guiding principles, The 3 R's, Respect, Responsibility and Results, on our website as well as information about our community support and how we protect the environment.

Within our 186,000 sq. ft., solar-powered facility, with covered parking, Rio Grande has sales, marketing, supply chain, IT and administrative offices, a climate-controlled distribution center with more than 40,000 items, and a comprehensive, well-equipped manufacturing operation. Manufactured products include jewelry-making equipment (from basic tools to highly sophisticated induction casting machines) and jewelry components—both die-struck and cast. Capabilities include CAD/CAM, casting, stamp and form, metal finishing, CNC machining, manual milling, tool & die and electronics/mechanical assembly.