Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Rockford, IL

18d

About The Position

The Inventory Specialist executes, monitors, and trains inventory best practices and standard operating procedures throughout the store, including the front end and pharmacy. The role supports pharmacy inventory management and oversees receiving, counting, ordering, pricing, returns, on-shelf availability, planogram accuracy, inventory records, and related systems and reports. It also supports asset protection, claims for shortages, overages, errors, and damaged goods, and prepares for and assists with physical inventory. In designated stores, the Inventory Specialist may open or close the store in the absence of store management and serve as the leader on duty. This includes required system start-ups, cash handling, cashier responsibilities, preparing the sales floor and stockroom, assisting customers, resolving customer issues, and communicating tasks to team members. The role works under the supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge for designated pharmacy inventory activities, and complies with company policies, procedures, and applicable laws.

Requirements

Six months of prior Walgreens work experience for internal candidates, or one year of prior retail work experience for external candidates.
Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking English, except in Puerto Rico.
Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
For internal candidates, an “Achieving expectations” rating on the 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.
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 inventory best practices and standard operating procedures for the front end and pharmacy.
Support pharmacy inventory activities, including receiving, counting, ordering, posting shipments, conducting smart counts, and facilitating returns and transfers under the supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge.
Champion On-Shelf Availability and perform receiving, counting, pricing, returns, and other in-store inventory processes.
Validate planogram accuracy and use 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.
In designated stores, open or close the store in the absence of store management and complete required start-ups, cash handling, cashier duties, and store readiness activities.
Greet customers, offer assistance, model customer service practices, and, when serving as leader on duty, resolve customer issues and answer questions.
Execute and coach warehouse and vendor inventory processes, including creating, reviewing, receiving, scanning, and correcting orders and deliveries.
Complete On-Shelf Availability processes, including scan outs, disposals, call-ins, vendor returns, and returns before expiration.
Complete pharmacy recalls, vendor returns, non-controlled and damaged salvage returns, and applicable excess inventory returns or interstore transfers.
Verify pharmacy and prescription claims postings; complete price changes, markdowns, markdown deletes, signage, and other pricing tasks.
Support 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 keep accurate inventory counts and on-hand quantities across departments, stockroom, overstock, and pharmacy.
Ensure compliance with state and local inventory laws for regulated products.
Maintain inventory records and organize invoices, receipts, and return authorizations.
Prepare for physical inventory, support inventory-day activities, and audit the third-party inventory 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 and support the Pickup Program.
When serving as leader on duty, operate the point-of-sale system, record relevant transaction issues, process returns and refunds, handle order voids and cash drops, and provide change.
Attend company trainings, complete e-learning and safety modules, and obtain and maintain any pharmacy license or certification required by the state.
Coach and develop team members' capabilities with inventory systems; when serving as leader on duty, communicate tasks and report disciplinary issues and customer complaints to management.
Comply with company policies and procedures, maintain respectful coworker relationships, and complete additional assigned tasks.