Retail Loss Prevention Manager | Asset Protection Specialist

We're Hiring: Retail Loss Prevention Manager | Asset Protection Specialist

Employment Type: Full-Time

Level: Mid-Level to Senior

We are seeking a proactive, analytical, and detail-oriented Retail Loss Prevention Manager | Asset Protection Specialist to protect company assets, reduce retail shrinkage, strengthen security procedures, and maintain safe store operations. This role combines loss prevention strategy, inventory control, risk assessment, incident investigation, security compliance, and employee awareness training. The successful candidate will work closely with retail operations, inventory management, security personnel, and senior leadership to identify vulnerabilities, prevent losses, investigate discrepancies, and implement effective asset protection measures across retail locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain loss prevention strategies to minimize inventory shrinkage, theft, fraud, and operational losses.
• Establish asset protection policies, procedures, and operational standards across retail stores and distribution facilities.
• Conduct regular store inspections, security assessments, and operational risk reviews to identify potential vulnerabilities.
• Monitor inventory discrepancies, stock adjustments, damaged goods, unexplained losses, and unusual transaction patterns.
• Investigate suspected internal theft, external shoplifting, fraudulent transactions, refund abuse, and policy violations in accordance with company procedures and applicable laws.
• Review CCTV footage, access logs, POS records, inventory reports, and other authorized evidence when investigating incidents.
• Coordinate incident documentation, evidence preservation, investigation reports, and appropriate escalation procedures.
• Work with store managers to strengthen inventory accuracy, receiving procedures, stockroom security, and merchandise handling controls.
• Analyze shrinkage data, loss trends, and incident patterns to identify root causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop risk-based prevention plans for high-value merchandise, vulnerable product categories, and high-risk retail locations.
• Evaluate security systems, surveillance coverage, alarm procedures, access controls, and other asset protection technologies.
• Coordinate with security vendors, facilities teams, and technology providers to maintain effective security operations.
• Conduct scheduled and unannounced compliance inspections in accordance with approved company policies.
• Review POS transactions, voids, discounts, refunds, exchanges, and other exceptions to identify unusual activity.
• Ensure appropriate controls are in place for cash handling, safe access, deposit procedures, and financial reconciliation.
• Support the implementation of inventory cycle counts, stock audits, and periodic physical inventory checks.
• Collaborate with finance and internal audit teams to investigate financial discrepancies and control weaknesses.
• Develop and deliver loss prevention training for store managers, sales associates, warehouse personnel, and security teams.
• Educate employees on theft awareness, fraud prevention, incident reporting, emergency procedures, and asset protection responsibilities.
• Establish clear procedures for reporting suspicious activities, security incidents, workplace misconduct, and inventory irregularities.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, legal representatives, insurers, or other authorized parties when appropriate.
• Ensure investigations are conducted professionally, confidentially, and consistently with employment requirements and privacy laws.
• Assess store layouts, merchandise displays, access points, and operational workflows to identify opportunities for improved security.
• Recommend physical security improvements, including appropriate locks, display protection, access restrictions, and secure storage arrangements.
• Monitor compliance with company safety policies, emergency response procedures, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Prepare regular reports on shrinkage rates, incident frequency, investigation outcomes, risk exposure, and corrective action progress.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for loss prevention effectiveness and asset protection performance.
• Work with regional operations leaders to prioritize high-risk locations and coordinate improvement plans.
• Support new store openings, renovations, inventory transitions, and major retail events by reviewing security requirements.
• Evaluate emerging retail fraud methods, security technologies, and industry best practices to improve prevention capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Security Management, Criminal Justice, Risk Management, Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related field.
• Relevant professional experience in retail loss prevention, asset protection, security operations, internal investigations, or risk control.
• Experience supervising security personnel, conducting investigations, or implementing loss prevention programs is preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail shrinkage, inventory discrepancies, shoplifting prevention, and internal theft risks.
• Familiarity with POS systems, inventory management platforms, CCTV systems, access control technologies, and incident reporting tools.
• Ability to analyze inventory data, transaction records, incident reports, and operational trends.
• Strong investigative skills, including evidence review, interview planning, documentation, and root cause analysis.
• Knowledge of inventory auditing, cycle counting, stock reconciliation, and merchandise control procedures.
• Understanding of cash handling controls, refund policies, transaction monitoring, and financial risk indicators.
• Ability to develop practical risk assessments and implement effective corrective and preventive measures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports and communicating findings to management.
• Excellent judgment, integrity, discretion, and respect for confidential information.
• Ability to handle sensitive investigations objectively and professionally without making unsupported accusations.
• Knowledge of applicable employment, privacy, evidence handling, and security requirements.
• Familiarity with incident response, emergency procedures, and coordination with law enforcement when necessary.
• Experience delivering employee training and promoting a strong culture of security awareness.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple investigations and prevention projects.
• Ability to travel between stores, warehouses, or regional locations when required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and relevant reporting or data analysis tools.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with retail operations, finance, human resources, legal, and facilities teams.
• Understanding of retail business operations and the balance between security controls and customer experience.
• Relevant professional certifications in loss prevention, security management, or investigations are advantageous.
• Commitment to ethical conduct, consistent policy enforcement, workplace safety, and continuous improvement.
• Experience in fashion retail, supermarkets, electronics, luxury goods, department stores, or other multi-location retail environments is an advantage.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive employee benefits.
• Opportunities to lead loss prevention initiatives and improve retail security standards.
• Professional development in asset protection, investigations, risk management, and security technology.
• Exposure to multi-location retail operations and enterprise-level risk control projects.
• Opportunities to collaborate with retail leaders, internal auditors, security professionals, and compliance teams.
• A professional environment that values integrity, accountability, safety, and operational excellence.
• Access to relevant training, security resources, and professional development programs.
• Opportunities to implement data-driven prevention strategies and measurable process improvements.
• Recognition for successful investigations, reduced shrinkage, and effective asset protection initiatives.
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills and manage broader security and risk functions.
• Career advancement toward Regional Loss Prevention Manager, Head of Asset Protection, Retail Security Director, Corporate Risk Manager, or Director of Loss Prevention.