Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Champaign, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Inventory Specialist executes, monitors, and trains store-wide inventory best practices and standard operating procedures for both 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 the use of reports and system applications that affect on-hand balances and pricing. The specialist also carries out asset-protection practices and files claims for vendor or warehouse 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 serve as the leader on duty. These duties include preparing systems, cash handling, cashier responsibilities, readiness of the sales floor and stockroom, customer support, and communicating tasks to team members. The role may also involve point-of-sale transactions and package delivery activities. The position works under the supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge for specified pharmacy inventory activities. It requires attention to detail, multitasking, operational problem-solving, communication, and customer service. The specialist attends company training, completes required e-learning and safety modules, and obtains and maintains any pharmacy license or certification required by the state.

Requirements

Internal candidates must have six months of prior Walgreens work experience; external candidates must have 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 when 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 team members on inventory best practices and standard operating procedures across the front end and pharmacy.
Support pharmacy inventory activities, including receiving, counting, ordering, posting shipments, completing smart counts, and facilitating returns and transfers under pharmacist-in-charge supervision.
Receive, scan, count, price, and process returns for store inventory; verify planograms and maintain on-shelf availability.
Use inventory reports and system applications to support accurate on-hand balances and pricing.
Execute 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 management and prepare systems, cash handling, the sales floor, and stockroom for business.
Engage customers, offer assistance, and model customer-service practices; resolve customer issues when serving as leader on duty.
Create, review, and receive warehouse and vendor orders; scan deliveries while vendors are still in the store; investigate undelivered or inaccurate receipts and open correction tickets as needed.
Complete pharmacy order postings and audits, report shortages or damage, and verify pharmacy and prescription claims.
Complete the On-Shelf Availability process, including scan outs, disposals, call-ins, and vendor and pharmacy returns before expiration.
Complete pharmacy recalls, hazardous-waste-related inventory tasks, vendor returns, damaged-salvage returns, excess-inventory returns, and applicable interstore transfers.
Complete price changes, markdowns, markdown deletions, pricing tasks, and related signage accurately and on time.
Support front-end and pharmacy ordering by ordering expense items; monitor pharmacy manual orders for excess inventory and maintain consigned inventory.
Update on-hands for designated pull-and-quarantine items and place them in the designated holding area.
Maintain accurate on-hand quantities and inventory counts across basic departments, stockrooms, overstock locations, and pharmacy.
Ensure inventory compliance with state and local laws for regulated products, such as alcohol and tobacco.
Maintain inventory records and organize invoices, receipts, and return authorizations.
Prepare for physical inventory and support inventory-day activities, including preparation of sales floors, stockrooms, and pharmacy and auditing the third-party team.
Keep counters and shelves clean and well merchandised; learn and use 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, register sales on the assigned POS and handle transaction records, returns, voids, refunds, cash drops, and change requests.
Comply with company policies and procedures and maintain respectful relationships with coworkers.
Attend company training, complete required e-learning and safety modules, and maintain any state-required pharmacy license or certification.
Coach team members on inventory systems, communicate assigned tasks when serving as leader on duty, and report disciplinary issues and customer complaints to management.
Complete additional activities and tasks as assigned.