Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Albuquerque, NM

About The Position

The Inventory Specialist executes, monitors, and trains storewide inventory best practices and standard operating procedures, supporting both the front end and pharmacy. The role supports pharmacy inventory management, champions On-Shelf Availability, and is responsible for receiving, counting, pricing, returns, and other in-store inventory processes. It validates planograms and uses reports and system applications to help maintain accurate on-hand balances and pricing. The position also supports asset protection and files claims for warehouse or vendor overages, shortages, order errors, and damaged goods, including prescription drugs. In designated stores, the Inventory Specialist may open or close the store in the absence of store management and perform required system start-ups, cash handling, cashier responsibilities, and opening readiness tasks. When serving as leader on duty, the role may address customer issues, communicate assigned tasks, and register sales and complete related point-of-sale transactions. The position also engages customers, models customer-service practices, and supports package delivery and the Pickup Program. Key operational work includes receiving and posting front-end and pharmacy inventory, processing orders, returns, recalls, claims, pricing activities, scan outs, and inventory counts. Under the pharmacist-in-charge’s supervision, the role verifies pharmacy shipments and postings, completes pharmacy inventory activities and smart counts, and helps ensure compliance with regulated-product laws. The Inventory Specialist maintains inventory records and supporting documents, prepares for physical inventory, keeps counters and shelves clean and merchandised, and coaches team members on inventory systems and processes. The role attends company training and e-learning, including safety training, and must obtain and maintain a valid pharmacy license or certification when required by the state. It serves as a liaison between management and non-management team members by coaching others in inventory systems. Additional activities and tasks may be assigned.

Requirements

Internal candidates: six months of prior work experience with Walgreens; external candidates: one year of prior retail work experience.
Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking English, except in Puerto Rico.
Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend hours.
Internal candidates must have an “Achieving expectations” rating on their last performance review and no written disciplinary actions in the previous 12 months.
Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to multitask and manage execution.
Experience identifying operational issues and recommending and implementing strategies to resolve problems.
Obtain and maintain a valid pharmacy license or certification if required by the state.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience as a shift lead, pharmacy technician, designated hitter, or customer service associate.
Prior work experience with Walgreens, with an evaluation on file.

Responsibilities

Execute, monitor, and train storewide inventory best practices and standard operating procedures for the front end and pharmacy.
Support pharmacy inventory management, including receiving, counting, ordering, returns, recalls, and inventory transfers as applicable.
Champion On-Shelf Availability and perform receiving, counting, pricing, returns, and other in-store inventory processes.
Validate planograms and use reports and system applications to support accurate on-hand balances and pricing.
Execute and maintain front-end and pharmacy asset-protection practices; file claims for overages, shortages, order errors, and damaged goods.
In designated stores, open or close the store in the absence of store management and complete required systems start-ups, cash handling, cashier duties, and business-day readiness tasks.
Engage customers, offer assistance, model customer-service practices, and, when leader on duty, resolve customer issues and answer questions.
Create, review, receive, and scan warehouse and vendor deliveries, taking appropriate action on undelivered or inaccurate orders.
Under the pharmacist-in-charge’s supervision, verify pharmacy shipments and complete or verify postings for pharmacy orders, claims, and physically received products.
Complete On-Shelf Availability processes, including scan outs, disposals, call-ins, vendor returns, and returns before expiration.
Complete pricing activities, including price changes, markdowns, markdown deletions, signage, and other required pricing tasks.
Support front-end and pharmacy ordering, monitor pharmacy manual orders for excess, maintain consigned inventory, and order expense items as needed.
Update and place designated pull-and-quarantine items in the assigned holding area.
Maintain accurate inventory counts and on-hand quantities across basic departments, stockroom, overstock locations, and pharmacy; complete pharmacy smart counts under pharmacist-in-charge supervision.
Help ensure inventory compliance with state and local laws for regulated products.
Maintain inventory records and organize invoices, receipts, and return authorizations.
Prepare for and support physical inventory, including preparing sales floor, stockroom, and pharmacy areas and auditing the third-party team on inventory day.
Keep counters and shelves clean and well merchandised, and remain knowledgeable about store systems and equipment.
Assist and coach the store team on package delivery activities, including package scanning, daily inventory functions, and returns; support the Pickup Program.
When leader on duty in designated stores, register sales on the point-of-sale system and complete related transactions, including returns, refunds, voids, cash drops, and change requests.
Comply with company policies and procedures and maintain respectful relationships with coworkers.
Attend company training and complete e-learning modules, including safety training; obtain and maintain state-required pharmacy license or certification.
Coach and develop team members’ capabilities with inventory systems, communicate assigned tasks when leader on duty, and report disciplinary issues and customer complaints to management.
Complete additional activities and tasks as assigned.