Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Madison, WI

About The Position

The Inventory Specialist executes, monitors, and trains team members on inventory best practices and standard operating procedures across the store, including the front end and pharmacy. The role supports pharmacy inventory management, champions On-Shelf Availability, and is responsible for receiving, counting, ordering, pricing, returns, and other in-store inventory processes. It also validates planograms and coordinates the use of reports and system applications affecting inventory balances and pricing. The position maintains inventory accuracy and asset protection, processes warehouse and vendor claims, supports physical inventory, and ensures compliance with applicable laws and company procedures. Under the pharmacist-in-charge’s supervision, the specialist completes pharmacy receiving, posting, returns, recalls, counts, and related inventory tasks. In designated stores, the specialist may open or close the store or serve as leader on duty, taking on related operational, customer service, and point-of-sale responsibilities. The specialist engages customers, models customer-service practices, supports package delivery and pickup activities, and coaches team members on inventory systems and processes. The role also includes completing required training and maintaining a valid pharmacy license or certification when required by the state.

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 as 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 and an evaluation on file.

Responsibilities

Execute, monitor, and train team members on store inventory best practices and standard operating procedures for the front end and pharmacy.
Support pharmacy inventory management, including receiving, counting, ordering, and facilitating returns.
Champion On-Shelf Availability and complete receiving, counting, pricing, returns, and other in-store inventory processes.
Validate planograms and coordinate the use of reports and system applications that affect inventory balances and pricing.
Execute and maintain front-end and pharmacy asset-protection practices and file claims for overages, shortages, order errors, and damaged goods, including prescription drugs.
In designated stores, open and close the store in the absence of management, including system start-ups, cash handling, cashier duties, and preparing the floor and stockroom for business.
Engage customers, offer assistance, model customer-service practices, and, when serving as leader on duty, resolve customer issues and answer questions.
Execute and coach team members on warehouse and vendor inventory processes, including creating, reviewing, and receiving orders.
Scan deliveries while vendors are still in the store; verify deliveries, contact vendors about missed scheduled receipts, and open tickets to correct inaccurate orders.
Under the pharmacist-in-charge’s supervision, verify and complete postings for pharmacy shipments and orders, perform tote audits as needed, and report shortages or damaged products.
Complete the On-Shelf Availability process for planogrammed departments, including disposals, call-ins, vendor returns before expiration, and scan-outs and scan-out returns for subscribed departments.
Under the pharmacist-in-charge’s supervision, complete pharmacy recalls, vendor returns, damaged salvage returns, and other pharmacy inventory activities; facilitate excess inventory returns or interstore transfers where applicable.
Verify posting of pharmacy and prescription claims.
Complete pricing activities, including price changes, markdowns, markdown deletions, accurate signage, and other regulatory pricing tasks.
Support front-end and pharmacy ordering by ordering expense items, monitoring pharmacy manual orders for excess, and maintaining consigned inventory.
Update on-hands for designated pull-and-quarantine items and place them in the designated holding area.
Maintain accurate on-hand quantities in basic departments, stockroom, overstock locations, and pharmacy; complete pharmacy smart counts under the pharmacist-in-charge’s supervision.
Ensure inventory compliance with state and local laws regarding regulated products, such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
Maintain inventory records and organize invoices, receipts, and return authorizations.
Prepare for physical inventory and support inventory-day activities, including preparing the sales floor, stockroom, and pharmacy and auditing the third-party team.
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 serving as leader on duty in designated stores, register sales on the POS system and handle scanning errors, price verifications, items not on file, price modifications, voids, returns, refunds, safe drops, and change requests.
Comply with company policies and procedures and maintain respectful relationships with coworkers.
Attend company training, complete e-learning modules including safety training, and obtain and maintain a state-required pharmacy license or certification.
Coach and develop team members’ inventory-system capabilities; when serving as leader on duty, communicate assigned tasks and report disciplinary issues and customer complaints to management.
Complete additional activities and tasks as assigned.