Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Hopkins, MN

11d•$18 - $23

About The Position

The Inventory Specialist executes, monitors, and trains 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 handles receiving, counting, pricing, returns, and other in-store inventory processes. It also validates planogram accuracy and coordinates use of reports and system applications that affect inventory balances and pricing. The position maintains asset protection practices and files claims for warehouse and 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 associated start-up, cash handling, cashier, and readiness duties. The role engages customers and models customer-service practices, and may resolve customer issues when serving as the leader on duty. It coaches team members on inventory processes, completes front-end and pharmacy inventory activities, supports physical inventory, maintains inventory records, and helps ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulations. The Inventory Specialist attends required training and maintains a pharmacy license or certification when required by the state.

Requirements

At least 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.
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 Walgreens work experience, with an evaluation on file.

Responsibilities

Execute, monitor, and train store-wide inventory best practices and standard operating procedures for the front end and pharmacy.
Support pharmacy inventory activities, 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 coordinate the proper use of reports and system applications affecting inventory on-hand balances and pricing.
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 system start-ups, cash handling, cashier duties, and store-readiness tasks.
Greet 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, take appropriate action on delivered or undelivered receipts, and open tickets to correct inaccurate orders.
Under the pharmacist-in-charge's supervision, verify pharmacy shipments and complete or verify postings of pharmacy orders, conduct necessary tote audits, and report shortages or damaged products.
Complete the On-Shelf Availability process for planogrammed departments, including disposals, call-ins, vendor returns, and scan outs and scan-out returns.
Under the pharmacist-in-charge's supervision, complete pharmacy recalls, returns, salvage, excess inventory returns or transfers, and verification of pharmacy and prescription claims.
Complete pricing activities, including price changes, markdowns, markdown deletions, signage, and applicable regulatory pricing tasks.
Support front-end and pharmacy ordering by ordering expense items, monitoring pharmacy manual orders for excess, and maintaining consigned inventory.
Update and place designated pull-and-quarantine items in the holding area.
Maintain accurate on-hand inventory counts across departments, stockroom, overstock locations, and pharmacy; complete pharmacy smart counts.
Ensure inventory compliance with state and local laws for regulated products such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
Maintain inventory records and systems, and organize invoices, receipts, and return authorizations.
Prepare for physical inventory and support inventory-day activities, including preparation of sales floor, stockroom, and pharmacy and auditing the third-party team.
Keep counters and shelves clean and well merchandised, and maintain knowledge of store systems and equipment.
Assist and coach the store team on package delivery activities, package scanning and returns, daily inventory functions, and execution of the Pickup Program.
When serving as leader on duty in designated stores, register sales on the POS system and handle related records, returns, voids, refunds, cash drops, and change requests.
Comply with company policies and procedures and maintain respectful coworker relationships.
Attend company training and complete e-learning modules, including safety training.
Obtain and maintain a valid pharmacy license or certification when required by the state.
Coach and develop team members' capabilities with inventory systems; 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.