Inventory Specialist

About the role

Executes, monitors, and trains inventory best practices and standard operating procedures for the entire store, including both front end and pharmacy. Supports pharmacy inventory management activities, including receiving, counting, ordering, and facilitating returns. Champions On-Shelf Availability and is responsible for receiving, counting, pricing, returns, and all in-store inventory processes. Validates and ensures accuracy of planograms.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and coordinates the proper use of reports and system applications impacting front end and pharmacy on-hand balances and pricing.
• Executes and maintains front end and pharmacy asset protection techniques, and files claims for warehouse and vendor overages (merchandise received, but not billed), shortages (merchandise billed, but not received), order errors or damaged goods including prescription drugs.
• Opens and closes the store in the absence of store management, including all required systems start-ups, required cash handling and cashier responsibilities, and ensuring the floor and stock room are ready for the business day.
• Engages customers by greeting them and offering assistance with products and services. Models and shares customer service best practices with all team members.
• Executes and coaches team members on warehouse and vendor inventory management processes, including creating, reviewing, and receiving orders.
• Completes or verifies postings of all pharmacy warehouse orders, ABC prescription and OTC orders daily, secondary vendor orders, flu and dropship orders performing any necessary tote audits, and accurately reporting any shortages or damaged product.
• Maintains accurate inventory counts, updates designated pull & quarantine items on-hands, and places them in the designated holding area.
• Ensures all designated pull & quarantine items on-hands are updated and placed in the designated holding area.
• Completes On-Shelf Availability (OSA) end-to-end process including warehouse and direct store delivery (DSD) for planogrammed departments, executing disposals, call-ins, and vendor returns before expiration, completes scan outs/scan outs returns on all subscribed departments including vendor/DSD departments and pharmacy scan outs.
• Completes pharmacy inventory activities including but not limited to pharmacy recalls following Pharmacy Hazardous Waste Policy, vendor returns, non-controlled, and damaged salvage returns. Facilitates excess inventory returns or interstore pharmacy transfers where applicable for non-returnable ABC overstock. Verifies posting of all pharmacy/prescription claims.
• Completes execution of all pricing activities including price changes, markdowns, and markdowns deletes. Responsible for basic department pricing, including daily price changes, accurate pricing with correct signage, and reliable and timely completion of any additional regulatory pricing tasks.
• Supports front end and pharmacy ordering by ordering expense items. Monitors pharmacy manual orders to identify excess orders. Maintains consigned inventory and orders as required.
• Ensures the store maintains inventory compliance with state and local laws regarding regulated products (e.g., alcoholic beverages and tobacco products).
• Supports the maintenance of inventory records, including receiving and posting of all products (in the front-end) received at the store in all inventory systems. Organizes files and retains all invoices/receipts/return authorizations necessary for all inventory activities.
• Supports the preparation for physical inventory and supports the physical inventory day activities, including but not limited to preparing sales floor, stockroom, and pharmacy for inventory and auditing the third party team on the day of inventory.
• Supports keeping all counters and shelves clean and well merchandised.
• Knowledgeable of all store systems and equipment. Assists and coaches store team on all package delivery activities, including scanning in and out of packages, completing all daily inventory functions and package returns at Walgreens. Supports execution of Pickup Program.
• Completes any additional activities and other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Six months of prior work experience with Walgreens (internal candidates) or one year of prior retail work experience (external candidates).
• Must be fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English (except in Puerto Rico).
• Must have a willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend hours.
• Achieving expectations rating on last performance review and no written disciplinary actions in the previous 12 months (internal candidates only).
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to multi-task and manage execution.
• Experience in identifying operational issues and recommending and implementing strategies to resolve problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a shift lead, pharmacy technician, designated hitter, or customer service associate.
• Prior work experience with Walgreens, with an evaluation on file.