Inventory Specialist (1121)

Ripple Fiber•Indian Trail, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Inventory Specialist is responsible for managing the end-to-end return process of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) for a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband operator. This role serves as the central point of accountability for all CPE returns initiated upon customer disconnection, ensuring equipment is tracked, received, inspected, and reconciled in an accurate and timely manner. The Inventory Specialist is a critical operational role that directly supports revenue protection, asset management, and customer experience.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent required
Minimum 1–2 years of experience in inventory management, warehouse operations, logistics, or a related role
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel— comfortable working with spreadsheets for data entry, tracking, and basic reporting
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and record keeping
Solid organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple open cases simultaneously and meet deadlines
Clear written communication skills — ability to draft professional customer-facing reminder emails
Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision in a warehouse environment

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree or coursework in business administration, supply chain, or a related field preferred
Prior experience with RMA or returns management processes beneficial
Familiarity with shipping carrier portals (UPS, FedEx, USPS) preferred
Basic understanding of barcode/QR scanning technology a plus
Experience with CRM or field service platforms (e.g. HubSpot, FieldSquare) beneficial but not required

Responsibilities

Maintain and update the centralized CPE return tracking system, recording all relevant customer and cancellation details including RMA tracking numbers, cancellation request dates, and scheduled disconnection dates
Coordinate with the retention team to receive completed cancellation records and initiate the return tracking workflow for each disconnected customer
Monitor RMA shipment status through carrier portals (USPS, UPS, FedEx) and proactively follow up with customers via email to prompt timely equipment return
Send templated reminder communications to customers at regular intervals until CPE is confirmed received at the warehouse, in accordance with the 14-day return policy following disconnection
Receive and process all inbound CPE return packages at the Charlotte warehouse facility
Physically inspect all returned equipment to verify that all components are present and accounted for, and to assess the physical condition of each item
Document the condition of returned CPE, identifying and flagging equipment that appears to have been physically damaged beyond normal wear and tear
Update the tracking spreadsheet upon receipt of each return, noting the received date, condition, and any discrepancies between expected and actual equipment
Escalate cases involving missing, incomplete, or damaged equipment to the Customer Service Manager for appropriate follow-up action
Monitor the 14-day return window for all disconnected customers and flag accounts where equipment has not been returned within the required period
Initiate the non-return equipment billing process upon expiration of the return and applicable grace period, in coordination with the billing team
Maintain accurate records to support billing disputes or escalations related to non-returned or damaged CPE
Record and maintain serial numbers for all CPE at each stage of the returns workflow — from warehouse receipt through inspection and disposition
Support the broader serial number tracking initiative by maintaining accurate equipment records that can be linked to customer accounts
Assist with periodic inventory reconciliation and cycle counts as directed
Provide regular status reports on open returns, aging inventory, non-return billing cases, and inspection outcomes to the Customer Service Manager
Identify trends in return rates, damage rates, and non-compliance and surface actionable insights to management
Support continuous process improvement by recommending workflow enhancements, including the evaluation of low-cost scanning solutions to automate serial number capture