Returns Specialist

Returns SpecialistThe Returns Specialist is responsible for independently managing and optimizing the full lifecycle of returned goods while driving improvements in operational efficiency, cost control, and reverse-logistics performance. This role exercises judgment and discretion in decision-making related to product disposition, financial impacts, and process enhancements. The Returns Specialist partners with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate processing, improved recovery value, and strategic reduction of return volume.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesStrategic & Analytical ResponsibilitiesAnalyze return trends and develop recommendations to improve processes, reduce return rates, and increase recovery value.Design, implement, and maintain return process improvements and workflow enhancements.Coordinate return shipments with carriers, warehouses, and internal departments to ensure timely product retrieval and disposition.Own and update the company's Return SOPs; ensure compliance across operations, warehouse, customer service, and vendor partners.Determine appropriate disposition of returned goods (resale, repair, salvage, disposal) based on financial and operational analysis.Approve return authorizations and exceptions within established financial thresholds; escalate high-risk or high-value cases as appropriate.Analyze return-related costs and recommend cost-reduction strategies and vendor performance improvements.Prepare, review, and present return performance reports, dashboards, and KPIs to leadership.Lead or participate in cross-functional initiatives aimed at optimizing reverse logistics and enhancing customer experience.Serve as the subject-matter expert (SME) for reverse logistics operations and develop best-practice guidance forAdditional Responsibilities:Excellent verbal and written skills.Knowledge and ability to enter data in Logistics software.Excellent problem solving and resolution skills.Ability to work under pressure situations.Ability to multi-task.Detail oriented.Qualifications:1-3 years' experience in the field of logistics and/or transportation.Experience with dealing with a diverse carrier base.Some returns experienceEducation and/or Experience Required:High School Diploma required with previous logistics experience.4 Year College Degree preferred but not mandatoryLanguage Skills Sets:Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers.Mathematical Skills:Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.Reasoning Ability:Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to determine "root cause" of problem and determine corrective action.Computer Skills:To perform this job successfully, an individual must have knowledge of Business Operating Systems, Internet software, Word Processing, and Spreadsheet software.Physical Demands:Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.Must be able to activate phone systems utilizing keyboards and buttons.Must be articulate and comfortable speaking in front of others.Regularly works in an indoor/office environment and required to sit and/or use repetitive hand motion.Frequently required to talk, hear, stand and walk.Must be able to work in excess of continuous 8 hours when required.Must be able to work under stressful situations, have good cognitive skills, maintain work accuracy, and the ability to concentrate on more than one task at a time.Must have the ability to read and discern visual images on a variety of media with 20/20 corrected vision.Must be able to speak and communicate clearly over telephones.Must be in sound physical health as determined by a certified licensed physician with no evidence of the use of controlled substances.This job description is intended to provide general information about the Returns Specialist position. The above does not constitute an exhaustive list of the job duties to be performed by an associate holding the position of Returns Specialist, nor are the lists of the physical requirements and environmental conditions exhaustive. You may be asked by your supervisor or managers to perform other duties. Your performance will be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the job duties listed in this job description, as well as any job duties not specifically listed above that you may be asked from time to time to perform.As with all positions, the duties and responsibilities are subject to change at any time as needs arise and at the discretion of the company. The company has the right to revise this job description at any time.It is the company's policy that all associates, other than those covered by a written individual employment or labor agreement with the company that has been authorized in writing by the company's Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors, are not employed for any fixed term and are employed at the will of the company for an indefinite period. Just as our associates, reserve the right to resign their employment at any time for any reason the company reserves its right to terminate an associate any time for any reason either with or without cause.Neither this job description nor any of its individual terms constitutes commitments between the company and its associates as to the terms, conditions or duration of employment, nor does it modify the prevailing Employment-At-Will relationship.