ASSET PROTECTION SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION

Shrink does not manage itself. When merchandise walks out the door undetected and internal irregularities go uninvestigated, a store's margin erodes in ways that weekly reports only confirm after the fact. The Asset Protection Specialist owns the full detection-to-documentation cycle, from floor surveillance and apprehension under state-specific use-of-force standards to organized retail crime intelligence and law enforcement liaison. Retail shrink reduction programs depend on this role carrying both operational credibility with store management and legal precision in case documentation.

As the Asset Protection Specialist, you identify, investigate, and resolve internal and external theft threats across assigned retail locations, ensuring shrink reduction targets are met and store compliance with security policy is maintained. You operate within a district structure, partnering directly with Regional Store Directors and Store Managers while reporting through AP leadership on case outcomes and program execution.

Career Impact: Hands-on casework in organized retail crime investigations and Wicklander-Zulawski-certified interviewing builds a compliance and investigations credential set that transfers directly into senior loss prevention management roles.

Business Impact: Your apprehensions, coaching visits, and shrink-reduction audits translate into measurable inventory recovery that directly protects store-level profitability across your assigned district.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to multi-store district oversight, AP Coordinator supervision, and courtroom representation accelerates the path toward an Asset Protection Manager or Regional LP title.

• Detect and apprehend individuals committing theft in strict accordance with company policy, state use-of-force law, and AP leadership authorization.
• Conduct internal and external investigations, including evidence collection, documentation, and case management system entries for each assigned incident.
• Audit store shrink controls during daily tours, identifying receiving deficiencies, markdown compliance gaps, and backroom organization issues.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with local law enforcement agencies to share organized retail crime intelligence and coordinate on active cases.
• Coach Store Department Managers on shrink reduction execution, including inventory claim submission, department shrink tracking, and merchandise protection standards.
• Review weekly and period shrink reporting across assigned district locations and escalate unresolved trends to AP leadership with supporting data.
• Train and oversee Asset Protection Coordinators and Officers, reviewing their case reports for accuracy and procedural compliance.
• Represent the company in court proceedings and support legal counsel with documentation and testimony as required.

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of law enforcement, loss prevention, or retail security management experience, with demonstrated casework responsibility.
• Working knowledge of retail shrink drivers including external theft, internal theft, and operational compliance gaps.
• Proven ability to conduct interviews and collect evidence following documented investigative procedures.
• Strong written communication skills sufficient to produce case reports reviewed by legal counsel and courts.
• Ability to travel 25% to 50% within an assigned district, including occasional overnight travel.
• Must meet all state or local licensure requirements applicable to the asset protection function.

• Wicklander-Zulawski or equivalent structured interviewing certification, or documented progress toward it.
• Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or equivalent industry credential from ASIS International.
• Experience with case management platforms used for AP incident tracking and reporting.
• Familiarity with organized retail crime task force coordination or multi-agency law enforcement engagement.

• Shrink rate reduction percentage across assigned district stores, measured against prior-period baseline.
• Apprehension-to-prosecution ratio, reflecting case quality and documentation standards met for court use.
• Case closure rate within defined period windows, tracking investigative throughput against open caseload.
• Store compliance score on AP audit visits, capturing execution of shrink controls and security policy adherence.
• ORC intelligence submissions per quarter, measuring proactive law enforcement engagement on organized theft patterns.
• Typical tools: case management platforms (commonly LPMS or equivalent); surveillance and access systems (commonly CCTV, EAS).

• Base Salary Range: $48,000 to $68,000 annually, depending on district size and experience level
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus of 5% to 10%, tied to district shrink reduction targets
• Equity: Typically not offered at this level in retail environments
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by company
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus paid holidays
• Common Perks: Mileage or vehicle reimbursement for district travel; employee discount; AP certification sponsorship

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check and drug screening are conditions of employment for this position, consistent with the safety-sensitive nature of the role. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process upon request. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

The Asset Protection Specialist delivers shrink control and loss prevention across store operations, apprehending shoplifters, conducting investigations, and maintaining CCTV records under Asset Protection Management. Working with store employees and law enforcement agencies, this role preserves store integrity and protects company assets through consistent enforcement of safety, food safety, and security policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Apprehend shoplifters in accordance with company policies and state and local laws.
• Work individually or with a partner at various store locations.
• Assist in the performance of asset protection-related inspections.
• Respond to anti-theft alarms.
• Monitor the store to oversee shrink control, external and internal loss, safety, food safety, and customer service.
• Conduct investigations at the direction of asset protection management.
• Prepare and maintain proper documentation and CCTV records for case management.
• Cooperate with and respond to requests from police departments, courts, and other law enforcement agencies as directed.
• Perform all job duties accurately and safely with honesty and integrity.
• Represent the asset protection department positively to customers and the public.
• Communicate with employees on asset protection issues and processes.
• Report any incident that may cause loss, including safety hazards, food safety and handling issues, restricted sales, and sale of unsafe or out-of-code products.
• Maintain confidentiality concerning employees, customers, and company information.

Required Qualifications

• Must be able to move quickly in case of emergencies.
• Possesses good oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to understand, accept, and follow instructions.
• Must deal with potentially difficult situations effectively and assertively.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player.
• Ability to ensure safe and accurate completion of work activities, including repetitious tasks.
• Possesses basic computer knowledge, including Microsoft Office.
• Complies with all company policies, including safety, asset protection, attendance, grooming standards, and dress code.
• Occasional travel, including overnight travel, may be required.
• Must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays, with varying scheduled hours.

Embedded within the Security Operations Center, the Asset Protection Specialist oversees physical security services, access control administration, and information security support across all Navient facilities around the clock. Working closely with HR, facilities, internal customers, and contract guard forces, this role builds organizational resilience by ensuring continuous security coverage, regulatory compliance, and rapid response to incidents and emergencies.

Core Functions

• Add, remove, modify, and manage system configurations, user profiles, and action plans for all security systems in the Security Operations Centre.
• File and maintain documentation for future audits and to meet regulatory compliance requirements.
• Complete and manage all monthly, quarterly, and on-demand reporting for audits and internal customers.
• Create, manage, and follow up on security-related work orders and vendor management via the web-based incident reporting system.
• Manage and audit access control systems, including HR processes such as leave administration and employee and contractor onboarding and terminations.
• Respond to calls for security service from customers, employees, vendors, and contract agents.
• Receive and process service calls for all security equipment throughout the organisation.
• Manage the initial investigation phase of all security incidents and document findings in a security case management system.
• Provide support and reporting for HR, facilities, and internal customers.
• Serve as shift supervisor for all contract guards on duty at all facilities, 24 hours a day, with decision-making authority for police and fire dispatch and policy interpretation for emergency guard force actions.
• Ensure compliance with all physical security policies related to access control, opening and closing procedures, and guard force activity.
• Interact with internal and external auditors regarding security controls, policies, and procedures, and assist with the implementation of information security policies, procedures, training, and awareness programmes.
• Update information security procedures as required and address client security questions.
• Attend training classes to develop proficiency in security procedures, administration, compliance, and auditing.

Qualifications & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• College coursework in Criminal Justice, Computer Science, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Expected to pursue an appropriate certification, such as CPP or CFSSP.
• Minimum of five years of experience in a corporate security role.
• Basic understanding of security system technologies, including alarms, video, and access control, as well as investigations and staff supervision.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products with a strong aptitude for problem-solving.
• Must have the ability to learn, retain, and apply a variety of system, network, and security-related concepts and procedures daily.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Highly organised with the ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently and prioritise work appropriately.
• Able to work in a team environment and across flexible shift schedules of up to 12 hours per day covering any part of 24 hours.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Physical Security, the Asset Protection Specialist shapes Bell's enterprise-wide physical security programme by evaluating risk, developing security plans for new infrastructure projects, and enforcing policies that safeguard people, information, and assets. Partnering with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and auditors, this role ensures SOX and Payment Card Industry compliance while advancing security effectiveness across all Bell companies.

Primary Duties

• Evaluate, develop, enhance, implement, and maintain elements of the physical security programme to reduce risks, costs, and liabilities.
• Develop comprehensive physical security plans for new infrastructure projects or in response to changing business requirements, and manage implementation projects from end to end, including all phases of development, design, installation, and inspections.
• Promote security awareness and guide the organisation.
• Engage stakeholders, perform vulnerability assessments and site security surveys, develop remediation strategies, and make recommendations to adjust security programme objectives.
• Interpret, review, and optimise physical security policies, directives, procedures, and standards to ensure effectiveness and alignment with industry best practices.
• Analyse and evaluate security requirements, ensuring implementation conformance for SOX and Payment Card Industry regulatory standards.
• Maintain up-to-date security surveys for key facilities.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers.
• Perform a variety of security-related operational tasks directed at establishing and sustaining specified levels of effectiveness in security management and in response to emergency conditions.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in security and law enforcement, project management, engineering, or business management.
• Holds a valid CPP, PSP, or equivalent industry certification, or commits to acquiring one within 12 months of employment.
• PMP or CAPM certification is considered a strong asset.
• Minimum of three years of work experience in an organisational physical security role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing and performing threat and risk assessments, vulnerability assessments, and facility security surveys, and communicating findings through documented reports.
• Experience in security or building infrastructure project management.
• Experience managing relationships with external vendors.
• Knowledge of building systems, facility management, and the regulatory environment.
• Proficient with standard office productivity software with the ability to learn new data entry systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent negotiating, decision-making, organisational, and time-management skills.
• Willing to undergo pre-employment screening, including a criminal record and employment reference check.

Sitting at the intersection of field operations and public safety, the Asset Protection Specialist leads the identification, locating, and protection of underground network facilities using locator systems, sub-site equipment, and company-provided vehicles equipped with laptops and smartphones. Operating across all weather conditions and varied terrain, this role ensures excavators and property owners receive accurate, complete network markings in compliance with prescribed safety procedures and turnaround time commitments.

Duties

• Thoroughly search for underground utilities in an area and properly mark locations to fulfil locate requirements.
• Operate locator systems, including sub-site and handheld equipment, for the installation of underground telecommunications cable conduit, including fibre optic cable.
• Ensure the safety of the public and other underground utility facilities.
• Ensure all applicable permits and locates are complete and on site.
• Perform all duties according to prescribed safety procedures and use appropriate safety equipment.
• Work outdoors in all types of weather conditions, including the day after holidays and some weekends as required by turnaround time commitments.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years of experience utilising geophysical multi-frequency locate equipment in the underground utility locating industry.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all types of weather conditions and in confined spaces.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, and ERIS/Google Earth mapping programmes.
• Must be available to work overtime and some weekends as needed.
• Able to work independently in a virtual team environment and adapt to complex and quickly changing environments.
• Bilingual in English and French, verbal and written.

A key member of the regional asset protection team, the Asset Protection Specialist leads internal and external investigations, oversees Asset Protection Coordinators and Officers across an assigned district, and drives shrink reduction through store coaching, training, and reporting. Collaborating across Regional Store Directors, Store Managers, and department leads, this role protects the company's retail store assets and supports the implementation of security equipment and loss prevention policies.

Functions

• Represent the company in court as required.
• Conduct daily store tours identifying rotation, markdown, store use, and receiving deficiencies.
• Verify all required communication is present and current throughout the store and applicable departments.
• Maintain a working knowledge of store inventory and how it impacts business performance.
• Review shrink best practices and the execution of shrink reduction strategy drivers on store visits.
• Coach stores on rotation, backroom organisation, and additional shrink reduction opportunities.
• Review weekly and period reporting and assist in reacting to issues and opportunities identified in the assigned district.
• Establish and foster positive relationships with all Regional Store Directors and Store Managers by addressing concerns, demonstrating leadership and accountability, and driving for results.
• Represent regional and brand asset protection at all weekly and period meetings.
• Oversee and assist in the implementation of store security equipment for new stores, remodels, and acquisitions.
• Train and oversee Asset Protection Coordinators and Asset Protection Officers, and review their reports for case management accuracy.
• Provide asset protection expertise, direction, and training to store management and store department managers, including training on shrink books, claims submission, markdown requests, and the sales-to-purchase department process.

Experience & Qualifications

• Associate's degree required.
• College degree in a related field of study or business is preferred.
• Wicklander-Zulawski certificate of training.
• Two to four years of law enforcement or management experience.
• Business and retail operations experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficient in LPMS case management system.
• Proficient written communication skills and ability to present publicly.
• Must be able to work in a team with a flexible work schedule.