Return Specialist

Adorama Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Adorama Rental Company in New York City is seeking a detail-oriented Return Specialist to manage the inspection, check-in, and processing of camera and lighting gear returned by production clients.

The role requires accuracy in inventory, awareness of missing or damaged items, and the ability to work quickly in a busy rental house. Lift requirement may apply and flexible hours around production schedules are common.

Qualifications

• Prior experience in a camera or rental environment is preferred.
• Familiarity with cinema equipment and accessories is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and organization are essential.

Responsibilities

• Receive, inspect, check in, and process returned equipment from clients.
• Verify items against contracts and packing lists; document discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and route gear for prep or repair.
• Communicate issues to management and other departments in a timely manner.
• Support interdepartmental workflow between returns, inventory, and dispatch.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Independent worker

Team player

Ability to work in fast-paced env

Tools

Rental inventory software

Basic computer skills

Job description

At Adorama Rental Company, we are dedicated to empowering creators by working hand-in-hand to help them bring their vision to life—and beyond. As a trusted partner to the cinema community, we provide the tools, technical expertise, and innovative solutions that make the impossible possible.

• Growth Mindset: We set high standards, embrace failure, and are open to change.
• Be Customer-Centered:We focus on the end-to-end customer experience.
• Take Ownership & Dig Deeper:We are proactive, use data, and avoid shortcuts.
• Think Like a Start-Up:We move fast, stay flexible, and celebrate every win.
• Be Humble & Respectful:We assume positive intent, listen actively, and support one another.

What You'll Do

We are seeking a detail-oriented, organized, and dependable Return Specialist to join our team at a professional cinema camera and lighting rental house in New York City.

The Return Specialist receives, inspects, checks in, and processes camera, lighting, grip, and production equipment returned by film, television, commercial, and other production clients. This position plays a critical role in maintaining accurate inventory, identifying damaged or missing equipment, and ensuring gear is accounted for and ready for its next rental.

The ideal candidate has a strong work ethic, excellent attention to detail, an interest in film production equipment, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced rental environment.

Key Responsibilities

Equipment Returns & Check-In

• Receive and process returned rental orders from production clients and crew members.
• Verify all returned equipment against rental contracts, packing lists, and inventory records.
• Confirm that all accessories, cables, power supplies, mounts, adapters, cases, and other components are accounted for.
• Identify missing, damaged, malfunctioning, or incorrectly returned equipment.
• Document discrepancies and communicate them promptly to management and the appropriate departments.
• Update rental management software and inventory systems accurately and in a timely manner.

Equipment Inspection & Quality Control

• Perform visual inspections of cinema cameras, lenses, monitors, wireless systems, LED fixtures, ballasts, dimmers, cables, and related production equipment.
• Identify physical damage, excessive wear, missing components, and obvious operational issues.
• Flag equipment that requires testing, cleaning, repair, or additional technical inspection.
• Ensure equipment is routed to the appropriate prep, testing, or repair department before being returned to available inventory.
• Follow established procedures for handling delicate, high-value, and specialty rental equipment.

Organization & Inventory Control

• Maintain an organized and efficient returns area.
• Ensure returned equipment is properly labeled, sorted, and routed to the correct department.
• Assist with locating missing items and resolving inventory discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate records of equipment condition and return status.
• Help prevent equipment loss, misplacement, and inventory errors.

Communication & Teamwork

• Communicate professionally with prep technicians, warehouse staff, rental coordinators, and management.
• Report urgent returns, missing equipment, and damaged items that may affect upcoming rental orders.
• Help maintain an efficient workflow between returns, prep, inventory, and dispatch.
• Follow company procedures for customer documentation and equipment discrepancy reporting.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a camera, lighting, grip, production, or equipment rental house is preferred.
• Familiarity with cinema cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, grip gear, and production accessories is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and follow established check-in procedures.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn rental inventory management software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills and a reliable, professional attitude.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to safely lift 50 Lbs. and move equipment cases and packages as required by the position.

This is a hands-on role in a professional cinema rental environment. The position may involve lifting and moving equipment, working flexible hours around production schedules, and occasionally assisting with early-morning, late-night, or weekend rentals.

Pay range for this role:

$20 - $20 USD

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Adorama’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.