Senior Asset Protection Specialist

Responsible for ensuring application of Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), occupational safety, and loss prevention programs and policies at the store, region, and cross-regional levels. Works with the Team Leaders and Team Members to ensure education, communication, and understanding of safety and loss prevention policies, including how safety and asset protection contributes to profitability and business success. Ensures stores and regions have a voice in strategy and process development. Monitors relevant metrics to understand issues, develop recommendations for improvement, and support store and regional responses to activity spikes or systemic issues.

Responsibilities

Provides environmental, health, and safety advice, consultation, and support for stores, regions, and corporate initiatives and programs.Advises fellow Team Members, colleagues, store, and regional Team Leaders and other stakeholders on all matters pertaining to environmental, health, and safety; works to build a culture of awareness and support.Works with store and regional Team Leaders and other stakeholders to understand and respond to questions about procedural guidelines and requirements.Audits stores for compliance and issues; partners with Team Member Services to complete investigations and interviews.Utilizes data and findings to identify opportunities and suggest business improvements.Acts as liaison between federal, state, and local law enforcement, third party contractors, regulatory agencies, and WFM.Works across regions to ensure a consistent and effective approach to process implementation and execution.Partners with region to ensure effective execution compliance measures.Engages with regional, store, and other leaders / stakeholders to develop and ensure implementation of practices to reduce accidents on the front end; implements best practices and programs designed to enhance service, safety, and profitability.Analyzes the work environment to control, eliminate, and prevent accidents.Maintains and understands statistical information, accident data, and case reporting materials.Builds store- and region-specific accident reduction strategies and ensures effective resource utilization to achieve goals.Leads accident and injury investigations and as appropriate develops material and evidence for use in hearings, lawsuits, and insurance investigations.Compiles and analyzes accident reports and position statements as required by regulatory agencies.Ensures provision of appropriate occupational safety training and information.Manages asset protection and awareness programs throughout assigned region / stores including:Guiding store team leaders to achieve required Team Member participation rates,Ensuring Team Members and Team Leaders have the knowledge and confidence to successfully execute safety communications programs.Builds store- and region-specific shrink reduction strategies and ensures effective resource utilization to achieve goals; provides leadership in shrink reduction and profit maximization efforts.Ensures assigned stores / regions follow and comply with asset protection policies and procedures.Builds data mining and analytics for asset protection; draws conclusions based on analysis of data to support loss prevention and recovery efforts.Responsible for alarm and security system installation and maintenance.Monitors, manages, and audits all aspects of physical security within assigned region to ensure alarm systems, access control, and CCTV standards are operational and in compliance.Utilizes technological systems to acquire data to help research, analyze, and determine appropriate actions.Conducts and/or leads detailed business audits to identify exposure to margin erosion, policy breakdowns, systemic issues, and shrinkage.Conducts financial and operational investigations relating to asset protection program compliance, margin erosion, profit loss, and dishonesty.Investigates anomalies or spikes in safety and loss prevention issues, working with the store, regional, facility, and security representatives to identify and address root causes.Ensures effective and open two-way communication between the local teams and the global Loss Prevention organization, ensuring mutual understanding of issues, challenges, objectives, and anticipated changes.Participates in and / or conducts internal and external investigations, development of case evidence, and other aspects of asset protection / loss prevention evaluation.May participate in legal matters, including appearing in court, signing affidavits, etc.Provides formal and informal training for regional, store, and other stakeholders on asset protection practices, standards, and issues.

Skills

Has strong understanding of retail / industry asset protection methodologies and practices.Ability to apply logical, creative, methodical, and inquisitive skills to the analysis of multiple streams of data.Has strong understanding of asset and loss prevention technologies and systems; including physical security systems such as alarms and CCTV.Has in-depth understanding of grocery retail operations.Demonstrates strong business and financial acumen.Understands how to develop data-driven strategic plans.Knowledge of OSHA standards, food safety regulations, and industry best practices.Proficient with Microsoft Office software, project management software, and workflow mapping.Communicates structured information in a clear, concise, and organized fashion.Able to teach, train, and influence associates at all levels.Collaborates with others to achieve the objectives and ensure information flow.Effectively presents information and responds to questions in both one-on-one situations and group meetings.Regularly interacts with colleagues or customers up to the senior leadership level.Establishes, maintains, and enhances relationships with all Team Members.Provides function-wide process advice and insight.Offers guidance to less experienced Team Members.Builds and nurtures relationships with the senior-level third-party stakeholders and leaders.Builds and nurtures positive working relationships with law enforcement and other third parties as required.Applies analytical skills to evaluate and interpret complex situations.Presents problem analyses and recommends solutions in a creative and logical manner.Handles a diverse range of issues requiring evaluation of a variety of factors, including business trends.Analyzes complex and ambiguous problems.Identifies opportunities for process and procedural enhancement to drive efficiency and improve service levels.Understands the customer, market, and industry’s trends and emerging challenges.Applies business, process, and technical understanding to focus the team’s efforts.Demonstrates excellent knowledge of the WFM product mix, supply base, and retail operations.

Education & Experience

BA/BS degree and 4-6 years’ relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.Loss Prevention Certification required.Certified Forensic Interviewing is preferred.