Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Springfield, MO

20d

About The Position

The Inventory Specialist executes, monitors, and trains storewide inventory best practices and standard operating procedures across the front end and pharmacy. The role supports pharmacy inventory management, champions On-Shelf Availability, and handles receiving, counting, ordering, pricing, returns, planogram accuracy, inventory records, and related systems and reports. It also supports asset protection, claims for inventory discrepancies or damaged goods, and physical inventory activities. In designated stores, the specialist may open or close the store or serve as leader on duty when store management is absent. The role engages customers and models Walgreens customer-service practices. It coaches team members on inventory processes and systems, maintains accurate front-end and pharmacy on-hand quantities, and completes a broad range of pharmacy inventory activities under the supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge. The specialist also completes assigned training, maintains any state-required pharmacy license or certification, and communicates tasks and operational concerns when serving as leader on duty.

Requirements

Internal candidates: six months of prior Walgreens work experience; 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 evenings and weekends.
Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to multitask and manage execution.
Experience identifying operational issues and recommending and implementing strategies to resolve problems.
Internal candidates must have an “Achieving expectations” rating on their last performance review and no written disciplinary actions in the previous 12 months.
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 storewide inventory best practices and standard operating procedures for the front end and pharmacy.
Support pharmacy inventory activities, including receiving, counting, ordering, returns, recalls, transfers, smart counts, and verification of shipments and claims, under the supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge.
Receive, count, price, and process returns for inventory; validate planograms and champion On-Shelf Availability.
Use reports and system applications that affect inventory on-hand balances and pricing; maintain accurate on-hand quantities across departments, stockroom, overstock locations, and pharmacy.
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 or close the store in the absence of store management, complete required system start-ups and cash-handling and cashier duties, and prepare the floor and stockroom for business.
Greet customers, offer assistance, model customer-service best 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, and scanning deliveries while vendors are present; follow up on missed or inaccurate deliveries as needed.
Complete On-Shelf Availability processes, including scan outs, disposals, call-ins, vendor returns, and returns before expiration for applicable departments.
Complete pricing activities, including price changes, markdowns, markdown deletions, signage, and other assigned regulatory pricing tasks.
Support front-end and pharmacy ordering by ordering expense items, monitoring pharmacy manual orders for excess, and maintaining consigned inventory as required.
Update on-hands and place designated pull-and-quarantine items in the assigned holding area; ensure regulated-product inventory complies with state and local laws.
Maintain inventory records and organize invoices, receipts, and return authorizations; prepare for and support physical inventory, including 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 serving as leader on duty in designated stores, operate the assigned point-of-sale system and handle sales records, returns, voids, refunds, 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 licensure or certification.
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.