Return Specialist at Adorama in New York, NY

Our Story

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.

Ready to Join Our Team of Creators? Apply today and let’s create something extraordinary together.

Pay range for this role:

$20—$20 USD