Inventory Lead

Inventory Lead Portland, OR Powell's Books is seeking to hire an Inventory Lead at our Burnside location. This position will work a late-night schedule of 9pm-5am, Monday through Friday. The Inventory Lead’s primary role is to lead and mentor their teammates in inventory functions. Inventory Leads play a very active role in training, and they take on the more complex tasks and troubleshooting associated with inventory and logistics work. Powell’s Books is known worldwide as a premier independent bookstore and an icon in the Portland community. We’re committed to fostering a culture and environment of inclusion, empowerment, and respect – a place where everyone can show up fully as themselves and do their best work every day. Some of the benefits Powell’s provides include: Generous healthcare plan (medical, vision, and dental) 401(k) Savings Plan Education benefit Childcare subsidy Substantial employee discount that is also available to your significant other, children, parents, and siblings Book Borrowing Privileges Schedule: 9pm-5am, Monday through Friday. Pay Range: $19.25 per hour, or more, depending on experience. Additional Information: When applying, please include a resume and a cover letter with a brief description of relevant skills and experience and the reason why you’re interested in the position. Closing Date: Sunday, November 1st, 2026 Position Title: Inventory Lead Location: Burnside Group: D Date: 11/2019 Position Summary: The Inventory Lead’s primary role is to guide and mentor the Generalists while handling the more complex inventory and logistics tasks. Areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to: training, shelving, cycle counting, customer and internet order fulfillment, returns, transfers and inventory maintenance. Inventory Leads have demonstrated an ability to handle daily operational needs alongside ongoing projects. Individuals in this position demonstrate a high degree of professional initiative and responsibility. Reports to the Inventory Manager or Assistant Manager. Essential Functions: Takes a leadership role in the ongoing success and development of Powell’s inventory functions especially in regard to shelving, cycle counting, internet order fulfillment, returns, transfers and inventory maintenance. Helps coordinate and schedule cycle counting. May conduct cycle counting. Monitors progress, accuracy and productivity providing oversight to meet deadlines. Achieves a storewide understanding of sections content. Identifies sections that need improvement and helps resolve issues (overcrowding, low turn, low fill rates, etc.). Demonstrates full understanding of inventory functions including new and used book buying practices, particularly as to how they affect inventory control. Understands and upholds Powell’s highest customer service standards. Maintains strong customer awareness while working on any sales floor tasks, modeling engaged and knowledgeable interactions with customers. Demonstrates ability to successfully resolve customer concerns; partners with managers as needed. Works closely with management team in aspects of directing workflow. Exhibits leadership in adjusting department priorities and changing work assignments based on customer flow and the daily needs of the department. Assists in monitoring productivity of the work team. Checks others’ work for accuracy. Fosters a professional, team-oriented work environment; demonstrates effective communication skills. Serves as a trainer and proactively provides mentoring to staff. Regularly updates managers on status and efficacy of trainings and helps identify when training has not been successful. Helps team utilize company resources and request additional training when needed. Acts as a resource regarding store operations and procedures. Coaches and provides feedback to staff during all shifts and assignments. Undertakes special projects of increased responsibility/di…

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