Retail Investigator

Wakefern Food Corp.; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary and Paid Time Off

Fitness Reimbursement and Well-Being Program

Corporate Training and Development University

401K with Company Match

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

A retail grocery cooperative in Pennsylvania seeks a Retail Investigator to ensure the security of its stores. Responsibilities include loss prevention, compliance auditing, and training associates on security practices. The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of Retail Asset Protection experience and a two-year Associates degree in Criminal Justice or a related field. This role involves flexible working hours, including weekends and holidays, and offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Must have at least 3 years of Retail Asset Protection experience.
• Valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Experience with Safety and OSHA Compliance is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the total security of assigned stores.
• Conduct investigations and audits on compliance-related initiatives.
• Train store associates on security technologies.

Skills

Retail Asset Protection experience

Customer service skills

Communication skills

Flexibility with travel

Crisis analysis

Education

Two-year Associates degree in Criminal Justice or related major

Tools

CCTV Monitoring

Gensuite Case Management

POS systems

Job description

About You

Your contribution

The Retail Investigator is responsible for the total security of an assigned group of stores in their geographic area- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Retail Investigator’s primary focus is to protect assets and prevent losses by utilizing a variety of tools to identify areas of exposure, including, but not limited to: AI Intelligence Monitoring, CCTV review, POS exception-based reporting, technology, and regular surveillances of all shifts, associates and vendor activities at store level.

The Retail Investigator assumes a proactive role in all compliance related initiatives by performing various auditing functions in the following areas: cyber security / environmental compliance / physical security / safety / shrink. In addition, the Retail Investigator will provide training to store level associates on all Asset Protection sponsored technologies and initiatives. It is essential that they also build relationships to facilitate communication with the store management and ownership teams at all of their assigned stores. The Retail Investigator must also be able to manage complex, confidential assignments and produce detailed case reporting- documenting their investigations.

The Retail Investigator will also perform duties assigned during emergency situations, including: labor issues, robberies, power outages, and other business interruptions. In addition, this investigator may have some administrative responsibilities.

The preferred candidate will reside in the Bucks County, PA area.

What you’ll do

• Visit stores during the hours it is open for business. Meet with the manager on duty or their representative and discuss store security concerns. Monitor associates, customers, and vendors for potential theft or fraudulent activity.
• Be at a store prior to the store’s opening and observe their operational activities, physical security, safe management, cash handling, and general opening procedures.
• Be at a store when product is being received. This includes both Wakefern and vendor deliveries. Monitor the receiving procedures to ensure adherence with all best practices.
• Visit the store when it is closed for business and observe night crew activity. Check physical security, including the perimeter of store and parking lot areas.
• Develop and implement store employee purchase procedures at each store and to randomly spot check employee purchases for accuracy.
• Assure that all store detectives employed by the Member owner at assigned locations are Wakefern certified in all aspects of shoplifting and apprehension procedures to maintain a zero-liability environment.
• Perform confidential, complex investigations, possibly not related to their normal responsibilities, as assigned by the Asset Protection leadership team.
• Utilize the Gensuite Case Management platform to generate detailed reporting to document all store visits, investigations, special assignments, or auditing activities
• Regularly monitor POS exception- based reporting and research all transaction activity that has been flagged as high risk by current KPIs.
• Partner with management to provide information and training on Asset Protection sponsored initiatives, including: armed robbery prevention, shrink control, Flim-Flam, SCO theft awareness, shoplifting certifications, and all Asset Protection technology platforms
• Be prepared to take appropriate action when performing their duties, whether during an apprehension or on a special assignment, in a manner that minimizes the risk of injury to themselves or others.
• Perform surveillances as needed utilizing CCTV equipment and/or by employing other methodologies.
• Perform routine safety functions to include Mock OSHA audits, inspections, training of safety committee personnel, and attending store safety committee meetings.
• Conduct detailed security surveys for new store locations and remodeled stores.
• Recruit and manage the selection process for store detectives hired directly by the Member.
• Facilitate new store security design and obtain security-related equipment and systems such as alarms, CCTV, guards, and locksmiths.
• Attend the Wicklander Interviewing Skills workshops for regular and advanced level training in effective interviewing.
• Attend the First Responder training to become a certified First Responder per the National Safety Council requirements.
• Proactively maintain proficiency in all Asset Protection specific technology in their assigned stores, including, but not limited to: Everseen, FaceFirst, Gatekeeper, LaneHawk, Purcheck, SmartShelf, Social Media Monitoring, etc.

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Two-year Associates degree in Criminal Justice or related major required.
• Must have at least 3 years Retail Asset Protection experience including internal and external investigations, surveillance, shrink, store operations, etc.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Flexibility with regard to travel and a rotating work schedule including weekends and holidays is mandatory.
• Must be able to demonstrate a high level of customer service and confidentiality as well as an ability to interact with all levels of Wakefern/ShopRite Associates.
• Reid or Wicklander interview skills training experience desired.
• Must possess the ability to identify and analyze crisis situations and react to them in an appropriate manner.
• Well - developed oral and written communication skills.
• Previous experience with Safety and OSHA Compliance in a retail environment.
• Valid driver’s license and a good driving record

How you’ll succeed

• Communicate Effectively: Communicates thoughts and ideas in a well-organized manner, encouraging two-way communication.
• Build Relationships: Creates cross-functional partnerships through the development and maintenance of constructive and cooperative relationships.
• Stay Competitive: Demonstrates a mindset of continuous improvement while exhibiting passion and enthusiasm for their work.
• Embrace Change: Looks for new ways of working by supporting advancements in processes and technology.
• Develop You: Identifies and capitalizes on opportunities for personal and professional career growth.
• Drive for Results: Supports divisional and strategic objectives through achievement of work goals.

How you’ll work

• Ability to drive long distances and travel for consecutive hours
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to look at a computer screen for a prolonged period of time

Company Perks

• Vibrant Food Centric Culture
• Competitive Salary and Paid Time Off
• Fitness Reimbursement and Well-Being Program
• Corporate Training and Development University
• Collaborative team environment
• 401K
• Matching Gifts and Community Volunteer Involvement

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $69,000- $72,000. Placement in the range depends on several factors, including experience, skills, education, geography, and budget considerations.

Wakefern is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional development of our Associates. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match & annual company contribution, paid time off, holidays, and parental leave. Associates also enjoy access to wellness and family support programs, fitness reimbursement, educational and training opportunities through our corporate university, and a collaborative, team-oriented work environment. Many of these benefits are fully or partially funded by the company, with some subject to eligibility requirements.