Inventory Lead

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/difficulty as assigned by manager.
• Communicates and cooperates with supervisor in projects and problem solving, identifying systemic problems or inefficiencies and recommending solutions.
• Assists in identifying process problems or inefficiencies and recommends solutions. Demonstrates leadership in implementing new systems and procedures that help meet Powell’s strategic goals.
• Takes initiative, is self-directed and autonomous, demonstrates independent decision making, participates actively in discussions and functions without supervision.
• May represent the location in corporate meetings and committees. Acts as a liaison to other departments and locations.
• Demonstrates leadership in the implementation of new technology, new methodology, and workflow that will help meet Powell’s strategic goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications:

• Generally requires work experience equivalent to a Sections II, Generalist II or other related experience.
• Leadership skills necessary to work with various departments and bring projects to completion on time.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in word processing, database and spreadsheet programs preferred.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Superior initiative, follow through and accountability.
• Leadership skills to lead, train and mentor.
• Employs excellent customer service skills.
• Must possess strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to enlist and inspire others.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Love of books and reading.
• Physical Requirements – Group U.

Salary : $19