Inventory Specialist

Job Title: Inventory Specialist

Department: Retail 

Reports to: Head Retail Buyer 

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt  

Location: Bozeman, MT

Job Summary

The Inventory Specialist is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory and product information across Yellow Dog Flyfishing's retail and e-commerce operations. This role ensures inventory is received, processed, and tracked correctly while managing product setup, update seasonal and ASAP product information, vendor communications, inventory discrepancies, and returns. Working closely with Operations, Retail, Marketing, and Finance, the Inventory Specialist maintains the integrity of Yellow Dog's product catalog and inventory systems to support a seamless retail environment and customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Management

• Receive and process incoming inventory accurately and efficiently.
• Verify shipments against packing slips and resolve inventory discrepancies.
• Perform inventory adjustments and maintain accurate inventory records.
• Perform and oversee Stock Counts and Physical Inventory Counts in a timely and accurate manner as scheduled and requested.
• Maintain accurate inventory across all company systems.

Database and Product Management

• Build new products and variants within Shopify and other company systems.
• Maintain product information, including titles, descriptions, SKUs, vendor information, product categories, and attributes.
• Update product pricing, costs, and MAP pricing seasonally and as needed.
• Ensure product data remains accurate, consistent, and complete across all platforms.
• Oversee the creation and application of barcode labels and retail pricing labels.
• Perform regular and seasonal database clean-ups to remove/archive unneeded and discontinued products.
• Adapt occasional challenging non-standard/incomplete vendor data into usable product data for product creation and inventory tracking.

Vendor & Inventory Support

• Work closely with the Buying Team to create and maintain purchase orders as directed.
• Monitor vendor backorder reports and maintain purchase orders appropriately. Communicate relevant backorders to internal teams.
• Coordinate the return of damaged, defective, or incorrectly shipped merchandise.
• Resolve vendor shipping and receiving discrepancies.
• Work with the Retail and Fulfillment Teams to process special-order products and coordinate fulfillment.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Prepare import and export spreadsheets for inventory uploads and system updates.
• Maintain purchasing, inventory, and product documentation.
• Assist with special inventory and operational projects.
• Support process improvements that increase inventory accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Work collaboratively with Retail, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to ensure accurate inventory and product information.

Position Requirements

• Exceptional attention to detail, both digital and physical, and organizational skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, completing responsibilities and tasks on time.
• Experience with Shopify or similar e-commerce platforms preferred.
• Experience with inventory management or ERP software preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in inventory management, retail operations, product administration, or merchandising.
• Experience working with large product catalogs and inventory systems.
• Fly fishing or outdoor industry knowledge is a plus.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.

Work Environment & Schedule 

This position is based primarily in Yellow Dog Flyfishing's retail store in Bozeman, Montana. Work schedules may include weekdays, evenings, weekends, holidays, and seasonal overtime based on business needs. Employees are expected to maintain a professional appearance, provide exceptional customer service, and contribute to a safe, organized, and welcoming retail environment. The Inventory Specialist may be requested to attend out-of-town business trips to retailer shows or vendor dealer camps and attend vendor visits and line showings.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Capacity to lift, carry, and unpack inventory boxes weighing up to 70 pounds.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment while maintaining attention to detail, an organized and clean workspace, and excellent customer service. 
• Ability to safely use ladders, box cutters, hand trucks, and other equipment commonly found in a retail environment. 

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Customer Focus
• Inventory Accuracy
• Product Data Management
• Attention to Detail & Organization
• Problem Solving
• Time Management

Yellow Dog Flyfishing reserves the right to modify this job description at any time to meet changing business needs. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications associated with the position.