Inventory Specialist

Walgreens•Joliet, IL

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 is responsible for receiving, counting, ordering, pricing, returns, and other in-store inventory processes. It champions On-Shelf Availability, validates planogram accuracy, and coordinates the appropriate use of reports and system applications that affect inventory balances and pricing. The position also maintains asset protection practices and files claims for warehouse or 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 serve as the leader on duty. Duties in that capacity can include preparing store systems and areas for the business day, handling cash and cashier responsibilities, assisting customers, resolving customer issues, communicating assigned tasks, and reporting disciplinary issues or complaints to management. The role executes and coaches team members on inventory processes, including receiving and verifying deliveries, maintaining accurate on-hand quantities, processing returns and claims, completing pricing activities, and preparing for physical inventory. Pharmacy activities are performed under the supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge. The specialist also supports package delivery and pickup activities, maintains inventory records and documentation, and attends required training and e-learning.

Requirements

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.
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.
Receive, count, order, price, and process returns for in-store inventory; support pharmacy inventory management.
Champion On-Shelf Availability and validate the accuracy of planograms.
Review and coordinate the proper use of reports and system applications affecting inventory 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 management, complete required systems start-ups and cash handling, and prepare the floor and stockroom for business.
Engage 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 present; verify receipt, follow up on undelivered scheduled receipts, and open tickets to correct inaccurate orders.
Under the pharmacist-in-charge's supervision, verify pharmacy shipments and complete or verify pharmacy warehouse, prescription, OTC, secondary vendor, flu, and dropship order postings; audit totes and report shortages or damage.
Complete the On-Shelf Availability process for applicable departments, including disposals, call-ins, vendor returns, scan outs, and scan-out returns.
Under the pharmacist-in-charge's supervision, complete pharmacy recalls, vendor returns, damaged salvage returns, and applicable excess inventory returns or interstore transfers.
Verify posting of pharmacy and prescription claims.
Complete price changes, markdowns, markdown deletions, daily pricing, signage, and other required regulatory pricing tasks.
Support front-end and pharmacy ordering by ordering expense items; monitor pharmacy manual orders and maintain consigned inventory.
Update on-hands for designated pull-and-quarantine items and place them in the designated holding area.
Maintain accurate inventory counts and on-hand quantities in basic departments, stockrooms, overstock locations, and, under pharmacist-in-charge supervision, the pharmacy; complete pharmacy smart counts.
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 preparing store areas and auditing the third-party team.
Keep counters and shelves clean and well merchandised; 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.
When serving as leader on duty in designated stores, register sales on the POS and handle related 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 a valid pharmacy license or certification as required by the state.
Coach and develop team members' capabilities with inventory systems; when serving as leader on duty, communicate tasks and report disciplinary issues and customer complaints to management.
Complete additional activities and tasks as assigned.