Inventory Specialist

Position Summary

The Inventory Specialist leads inventory accuracy, product flow, and replenishment for the store. This role coordinates receiving, cycle counts, stockroom organization, and inventory controls so merchandise is available when customers need it while minimizing shrink, overstocks, and out-of-stocks.

Essential Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate on-hand quantities through cycle counts, inventory adjustments, and regular department audits.
• Coordinate receiving, check shipments against purchase and transfer documents, and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Oversee product replenishment from receiving and stock areas to the sales floor.
• Research negative on-hand balances, damaged merchandise, mispicks, and other inventory variances.
• Organize and maintain receiving, back-stock, overstock, and staging areas for safe and efficient product flow.
• Prepare for and support physical inventories, including count planning, associate training, and variance review.
• Partner with department leads to reduce out-of-stocks, excess inventory, and aged merchandise.
• Follow store procedures for returns, defective goods, transfers, special orders, and vendor credits.
• Train associates on inventory accuracy, stocking standards, product location, and shrink-prevention practices.

Qualifications

• Strong organization, accuracy, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze inventory reports and investigate discrepancies.
• Ability to lead associates and coordinate work across departments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and safely use ladders and material-handling equipment.
• 2+ years of retail inventory, receiving, warehouse, or operations experience preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Inventory control
• Receiving and reconciliation
• Cycle counting
• Retail replenishment
• Shrink prevention
• Reporting and analysis
• Team training

Performance Expectations

• Accurate on-hand inventory and product locations.
• Timely, accurate receiving and replenishment.
• Reduced out-of-stocks, overstocks, and inventory shrink.
• Clean, safe, and organized receiving and stock areas.
• Consistent inventory procedures across store departments.

Ace Hardware Promise

The Inventory Specialist exemplifies Ace Hardware's commitment to being 'The Helpful Place' by ensuring the right products are accurately received, stocked, and available to serve every customer.

We are your local hardware store and we are a part of your community. Ace Hardware has over 5,000 stores around the world with the majority of those stores independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. These hard working men and women are part of the fabric of your community. They are small business owners who are local and loyal...just like it ought to be. While others have become large and impersonal, at Ace, we've remained small and very personal. That's why we say a visit to Ace, is like a visit to your neighbor.