Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Backroom Coordinator

💰 $30,000 - $45,000

Retail OperationsWarehouseInventory Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Backroom Coordinator is responsible for maintaining accurate stock levels, organizing and optimizing backroom operations, coordinating receiving and returns, supporting merchandising and replenishment, and enforcing safety and loss prevention procedures. This role focuses on inventory accuracy, efficient material handling, cross-functional communication with store operations and vendors, and continuous process improvements that reduce shrink and improve on-shelf availability.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Stock Associate / Stockroom Clerk
  • Receiving Clerk / Shipping & Receiving Associate
  • Warehouse Associate / Picker & Packer

Advancement To:

  • Backroom Supervisor / Lead
  • Inventory Control Specialist / Analyst
  • Store Operations Manager / Assistant Store Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Loss Prevention Specialist
  • Merchandising Coordinator / Buyer Support

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage daily receiving operations: inspect inbound shipments, verify packing lists and bills of lading, reconcile quantities against purchase orders, document and escalate discrepancies to purchasing and store management.
  • Maintain organized backroom layout and optimized storage flow to maximize space utilization, improve picking efficiency, and ensure fast access to replenishment stock.
  • Execute and oversee cycle counts and full inventory audits using handheld RF scanners or Warehouse Management System (WMS); investigate variances, root cause issues, and implement corrective action plans to improve inventory accuracy.
  • Coordinate replenishment and staging for floor merchandising: ensure timely transfer of product to sales floor, maintain FIFO rotation for perishable and seasonal items, and prioritize high-turn SKUs to support sales targets.
  • Operate material handling equipment safely and efficiently (e.g., pallet jack, hand truck, powered pallet jack, and where certified, forklift) and ensure equipment is inspected, charged, and stored properly.
  • Process returns, damaged goods, and vendor claims: document condition, create return authorizations, liaise with vendors/carriers, and update inventory and financial records accordingly.
  • Enforce loss prevention procedures: monitor high-risk items, maintain secure storage, support shrink investigations, and implement access controls for high-value merchandise.
  • Maintain backroom cleanliness, regulatory compliance, and safety standards (OSHA, local fire codes): conduct daily safety checks, training, and incident reporting to prevent workplace hazards.
  • Lead communication between receiving, stocking, merchandising, and store leadership to prioritize tasks, escalate stock-outs or overstocks, and align on promotional and seasonal rollouts.
  • Use POS, ERP, or WMS systems to update inventory adjustments, location assignments, and receiving transactions in real time to ensure accurate on-hand quantities and improve replenishment decisions.
  • Prepare shipment staging and carrier handoffs: ensure precise documentation, palletizing, labeling, and scheduling of outbound shipments to meet carrier cutoffs and reduce freight claims.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including fill rate, on-shelf availability, cycle count accuracy, receiving accuracy, and backroom turnaround time; produce routine reports and recommend process improvements.
  • Train, mentor, and schedule backroom staff or temporary associates during peak periods; delegate work, verify task completion, and ensure team adherence to operating procedures.
  • Support seasonal planning and inventory build cycles: coordinate inbound flow, overflow staging, and temporary storage solutions to accommodate promotional events and holiday surges.
  • Maintain accurate records for hazardous materials, temperature-sensitive products, and controlled items; ensure proper handling, labeling, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Implement and document standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for receiving, storage, picking, returns, and replenishment to increase consistency and reduce onboarding time.
  • Conduct regular quality control inspections of incoming goods and backroom stock to identify supplier defects, mis-picks, or product damage and communicate findings to vendors and procurement.
  • Facilitate vendor and carrier relationships on receiving schedules, expedited shipments, and root-cause resolution for recurring delivery issues that impact stock availability.
  • Coordinate inter-store transfers and mark-to-stock processes: prepare transfer paperwork, verify inventory movement, and reconcile transferred quantities in the inventory system.
  • Manage labeling, barcode scanning, and SKU consolidation activities to ensure correct merchandising identification, shelf tags, and accurate scanning at point-of-sale.
  • Maintain and update bin and location assignments in the WMS to reflect layout changes, seasonal rotations, and SKU rationalizations for faster picking and replenishment.
  • Oversee shrink mitigation programs in the backroom such as secure storage for high-theft items, access logs, and surveillance coordination with loss prevention teams.
  • Support pricing, markdown execution, and clearance staging by preparing backstock for markdown workflows and coordinating with pricing teams for label changes and promotions.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist store leadership with ad-hoc inventory analytics and data requests to support ordering, promotions, and assortment decisions.
  • Help develop the backroom component of the store’s inventory strategy and roadmap by recommending process automation, additional controls, or equipment investments.
  • Collaborate with merchandising, procurement, and distribution centers to translate operational needs into receiving and replenishment requirements.
  • Participate in seasonal planning meetings, sprints, and continuous improvement initiatives to streamline receiving and stocking processes.
  • Support cross-functional projects such as WMS upgrades, handheld device rollouts, and pilot programs for new storage layouts or replenishment flows.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Inventory management and reconciliation expertise, including cycle counting, ABC analysis, and variance resolution.
  • Proficient with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), RF scanning workflows, and common retail ERPs (e.g., Oracle NetSuite, SAP Retail, Microsoft Dynamics).
  • Hands-on experience with receiving/PO reconciliation, ASN processing, and carrier documentation (BOLs, packing lists).
  • Material handling and equipment operation skills: powered pallet jacks, pallet stackers, forklifts (certification preferred), hand trucks.
  • Strong barcode, labeling, and SKU management knowledge; experience creating and maintaining location/bay/bin assignments.
  • Familiarity with POS inventory updates, markdown processing, and disposition of returns/damaged product.
  • Knowledge of shipping processes including palletizing, shrink-wrapping, freight scheduling, and carrier communication.
  • Basic data analysis and reporting skills using Excel (vlookups, pivot tables) or BI tools for inventory KPIs and trend analysis.
  • Understanding of health & safety regulations (OSHA or local equivalents), hazardous material handling, and store-level compliance.
  • Experience with loss prevention practices and shrink-reduction programs in a retail environment.
  • Ability to read and interpret purchase orders, packing lists, invoices, and supplier documentation.
  • Familiarity with scheduling tools and labor management to plan staffing for peak receiving windows.

Soft Skills

  • Strong organization and multi-tasking ability with attention to detail in high-volume, fast-paced environments.
  • Clear communication and collaboration skills to coordinate with store teams, vendors, carriers, and corporate partners.
  • Problem-solving mindset with ability to investigate root causes and drive corrective actions for inventory issues.
  • Leadership and coaching skills to train temporary or permanent backroom staff and enforce SOPs.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance receiving, replenishment, and ad-hoc requests during peak periods.
  • Customer-service orientation to support store operations and ensure on-floor availability for shoppers.
  • Reliability and accountability for maintaining accurate records and meeting KPI targets.
  • Adaptability and comfort with seasonal variability, promotions, and fluctuating shipment volumes.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (required).

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or coursework in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Retail Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–4 years of hands-on experience in retail backroom, warehouse receiving, or inventory control roles.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years managing backroom operations, supervising small teams, or executing inventory control programs in mid-size to large retail or distribution environments.
  • Experience with enterprise WMS, ERP systems, and handheld scanning devices; forklift certification a plus.
Explore More Careers