Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Rockford, IL

20d•$18 - $23

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, and other in-store inventory processes. It also reviews reports and system applications that affect inventory balances and pricing, maintains asset-protection practices, and files claims for inventory discrepancies or damaged goods. In designated stores, the specialist may open or close the store in the absence of management and perform associated system start-ups, cash handling, cashier duties, and store-readiness tasks. The position engages customers and models customer-service practices, coaches team members on inventory processes, and may act as leader on duty. Pharmacy tasks are performed under the supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge where specified. The role supports inventory compliance, recordkeeping, physical inventory, package delivery and pickup activities, store merchandising, and completion of assigned training. It also serves as a liaison between management and non-management team members, communicating tasks and reporting disciplinary issues and customer complaints when serving as leader on duty.

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 if 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, with an evaluation on file.

Responsibilities

Execute, monitor, and train storewide inventory best practices and standard operating procedures for front-end and pharmacy operations.
Support pharmacy inventory management, including receiving, counting, ordering, returns, shipment posting, tote audits, and reporting shortages or damaged products, under the supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge where specified.
Champion On-Shelf Availability and perform receiving, counting, pricing, returns, scan-outs, disposals, call-ins, and other inventory processes.
Validate planograms and coordinate the appropriate use of reports and system applications affecting 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 when management is absent, including system start-ups, cash handling, cashier responsibilities, and preparing the floor and stockroom for the business day.
Engage customers, offer assistance, model customer-service best practices, and, when leader on duty, resolve customer issues and answer questions.
Execute and coach team members on warehouse and vendor inventory management, including creating, reviewing, and receiving orders.
Scan deliveries while vendors are in the store; verify receipts, follow up on undelivered scheduled receipts, and open tickets to correct inaccurate orders.
Complete pharmacy inventory activities, including recalls, vendor and salvage returns, excess inventory returns or transfers where applicable, and verification of prescription claims.
Complete pricing activities, including price changes, markdowns, markdown deletions, accurate signage, and additional 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 assigned holding area.
Maintain accurate inventory counts and on-hand quantities across departments, stockrooms, overstock locations, and pharmacy; complete pharmacy smart counts.
Ensure inventory compliance with state and local laws for regulated products, including alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
Maintain inventory records and systems, organize files, and retain invoices, receipts, and return authorizations.
Help prepare for physical inventory and support inventory-day activities, including preparing store areas and auditing the third-party team.
Keep counters and shelves clean and well merchandised; remain knowledgeable about store systems and equipment.
Assist and coach the store team on package delivery activities, package scanning and returns, daily inventory functions, and Pickup Program execution.
When serving as leader on duty in designated stores, register sales in the POS system and handle related exceptions, returns, refunds, voids, cash drops, and change requests.
Comply with company policies and procedures and maintain respectful relationships with coworkers.
Attend company training, complete e-learning and safety modules, and obtain and maintain any state-required pharmacy license or certification.
Coach and develop team members' inventory-system capabilities; when leader on duty, communicate assigned tasks and report disciplinary issues and customer complaints to management.
Complete additional activities and other assigned tasks.