Inventory & Audit Specialist

Description

Mission Contribution: The Inventory and Audit Specialist supports leadership by enabling data-driven operational decisions and advancing operational excellence across the Market on Melrose. This role is central to maintaining inventory accuracy, reducing shrink, and ensuring financial accountability. Key contributions include oversight of inventory management processes, receiving and purchasing controls, loss and waste reduction initiatives, and the preservation of overall inventory integrity. The position strengthens operational efficiency and compliance through consistent monitoring, analysis, and process improvement.

Summary: The Inventory and Audit Specialist ensures inventory accuracy by performing physical counts, reconciling variances, and communicating findings to management. This role supports both operational excellence and asset protection objectives through proactive auditing, rigorous inventory oversight, and effective cross-functional collaboration.

Essential Functions:

Inventory Management and Controls

1. Monitor inventory accuracy across all departments to ensure data integrity.
2. Conduct routine physical inventory counts and inventory verification processes.
3. Identify discrepancies, variances, and emerging shrink trends.
4. Assist with inventory reconciliation and prepare accurate reporting for leadership.
5. Support initiatives that enhance inventory organization and product accountability.
6. Partner with operational teams to improve inventory flow, replenishment practices, and stock management.

Receiving & Purchasing Oversight

1. Review receiving documentation, manifests, invoices, and product deliveries for accuracy and completeness.
2. Assist in monitoring receiving controls and ensuring compliance with established procedures.
3. Support Department Managers in purchasing and ordering oversight to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
4. Collaborate with store leadership to evaluate ordering patterns and reduce over-ordering, spoilage, and unnecessary waste.
5. Provide suggested ordering recommendations based on inventory movement, shrink trends, and operational insights.

Auditing & Operational Compliance

1. Perform operational, departmental, and exception-based audits to assess compliance.
2. Review adherence to company policies, operational standards, and inventory procedures.
3. Identify control gaps, process deficiencies, and operational risks.
4. Deliver detailed audit findings, recommendations, and follow-up reporting to management.

Shrink & Waste Reduction

1. Review shrink, spoilage, and waste logs for accuracy and trend identification.
2. Identify opportunities to reduce operational shrink and product loss.
3. Monitor adherence to First In, First Out (FIFO) rotation and proper inventory handling procedures.
4. Support initiatives aimed at improving product freshness, reducing waste, and increasing inventory efficiency.

Cross -Functional Partnership

1. Maintain strong working relationships with Store Management, Department Managers, Finance, Asset Protection & Safety, and operational teams.
2. Communicate findings, trends, and improvement opportunities in a professional, solution-oriented manner.
3. Assist operational leaders in implementing corrective actions and process improvements.
4. Accomplish all tasks as appropriately assigned or requested for successful completion of the mission of Goodwill Industries of the Valleys.
5. Attend in-service and related training as assigned.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by Management.
7. Adhere to all Goodwill personnel policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in inventory management, auditing, retail operations, asset protection, receiving, or related field preferred.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong time management and attention to detail capability.
• Ability to identify trends, discrepancies, and operational opportunities.
• Experience working with inventory systems, POS systems, or reporting tools preferred.
• Strong communication and partnership skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and reporting documentation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.

Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be able to successfully complete any assigned Goodwill training within the required period of time upon employment.

Special Requirements:

• Personal vehicle usage may be required for this position, including a reliable vehicle, a valid driver's license, and the ability to provide proof of insurance for driving on company business.
• An acceptable motor vehicle record, based on Goodwill guidelines, is required for driving a personal or company vehicle.
• Must provide a cell phone for specified work responsibilities, including the use of a phone-based application for authentication.
• Must successfully complete a state background investigation and drug screen.

Physical Requirements:

The physical and work environment demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires the ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move up to forty (40) pounds regularly without support. For weight over forty (40) pounds, request additional team member assistance as needed.

Work Environment

• Fast-paced grocery store setting
• Minimal travel is required for training or meetings.
• Must have open availability to work all hours of operation, including weekends, holidays, and occasional extended hours.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to varying temperatures, such as refrigeration areas and heat, cold and adverse weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate.

Empowering Individuals • Strengthening Families • Inspiring Communities