Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Maple Grove, MN

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, including receiving, counting, ordering, and returns; champions On-Shelf Availability; manages in-store inventory processes; validates planograms; and uses reports and systems to help ensure accurate on-hand balances and pricing. The position also supports asset protection 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, complete required system start-ups and cash-handling duties, and prepare the sales floor and stockroom for the business day. When serving as leader on duty, the role may resolve customer issues, communicate assignments, and register sales and complete related point-of-sale transactions. The role performs and coaches others on inventory receiving and ordering processes, pharmacy shipment and claim postings, On-Shelf Availability tasks, pricing, inventory counts, records, returns, recalls, and preparation for physical inventory. It also supports package delivery activities and the Pickup Program, maintains compliance with applicable laws and company policies, attends required training, and develops team members’ capabilities with inventory systems.

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 evenings and weekends.
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 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, 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 management activities, including receiving, counting, ordering, returns, recalls, and inventory transfers where applicable.
Champion On-Shelf Availability and complete its end-to-end processes, including scan outs, disposals, call-ins, vendor returns, and related pharmacy activities.
Receive, scan, count, price, and process store inventory, including warehouse, vendor, common carrier, and pharmacy deliveries.
Validate planograms and use reports and system applications to support accurate on-hand balances and pricing.
Maintain front-end and pharmacy asset-protection practices and file claims for overages, shortages, order errors, and damaged goods.
Complete and verify pharmacy shipment postings, pharmacy and prescription claims, and required tote audits and shortage reports under pharmacist-in-charge supervision.
Complete pricing activities, including price changes, markdowns, markdown deletions, accurate signage, and required regulatory pricing tasks.
Support front-end and pharmacy ordering, order expense items, monitor pharmacy manual orders for excess, and maintain consigned inventory.
Update and place designated pull-and-quarantine items in the appropriate holding area.
Maintain accurate inventory counts and on-hand quantities across basic departments, stockroom, overstock locations, and pharmacy; complete pharmacy smart counts.
Ensure inventory compliance with state and local laws governing regulated products.
Maintain inventory records and organize invoices, receipts, and return authorizations.
Prepare for and support physical inventory, including preparing store and pharmacy areas and auditing the third-party inventory team on inventory day.
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, including package scanning, daily inventory functions, and returns; support the Pickup Program.
In designated stores, open and close the store when management is absent and complete required start-up, cash-handling, and business-day readiness tasks.
Engage customers, offer assistance, model customer-service practices, and, when leader on duty, resolve customer issues and answer questions.
When leader on duty, communicate assigned tasks, report disciplinary issues and customer complaints to management, and complete assigned point-of-sale transactions and related cash and return activities.
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 a valid pharmacy license or certification as required by the state.
Coach and develop team members’ capabilities with inventory systems and complete other assigned tasks.