At a Glance
- Tasks: Protect staff and customers while investigating theft and reducing losses in stores.
- Company: Join the friendly team at Waterstones, a beloved book retailer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent discounts, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Full UK driving licence required; mileage paid for travel between stores.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that ensures safety and security in our stores.
- Qualifications: Experience in loss prevention or policing, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 48661 - 59475 £ per year.
About the job
- Loss Prevention Investigator
- Permanent
- Based in Southwest England (Taunton, Bristol, Bath or Exeter)
- We are looking for a
Loss Prevention Investigator to join our friendly and dynamic team here at Waterstones. Looking after stores across the Southwest area including
Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Exeter, Torquay, and Cheltenham your role will be to protect staff, customers, property, and the business by ensuring that all physical security equipment is in working condition, following up on all workplace incidents and advising teams how best to respond to incidents that may involve violence.
Due to the wide area this role covers you will need to hold a full UK drivers’ licence and have your own vehicle; we pay mileage for the journeys you make from your base shop.
- What you will be doing
- To be a field based, security and shrink expert, working to identify potential risks/losses to reduce loss in your given area.
- As the Loss Prevention contact in your designated area, you will give advice and guidance to Regional Managers, Cluster Leaders, Bookshop Managers and Booksellers on all aspects of Loss Prevention.
- To prioritise and visit Waterstones, Foyles, and Blackwells stores in your remit on a need’s basis, based on risk to the business.
- You will reduce shrinkage and cash loss by identifying risk in stores and providing solutions, coaching and support to store teams.
- Proactively investigate reported thefts, data, and missing stock to identify and apprehend offenders. Building criminal cases resulting in arrest and prosecution of offenders.
- Use data and instore intelligence and Security Systems to identify and analyse trends and similarities across active cases and collaboratively work with the wider LPI team to glean and share information to identify and prosecute offenders.
- To establish professional working relationships with internal stakeholders, law enforcement and outside agencies to further reduce risk and loss to the business.
- Work in collaboration with Maintenance and Audit teams to ensure compliance and safety standards are consistently met.
- To complete all set tasks within the given timeframe and escalate identified issues in an appropriate and effective manner.
- To undertake other requests and projects as set by the Loss Prevention manager to support the Business Operation.
- What we need from you
- Significant demonstrable experience dealing with shrink and crime resolution within a retail or Policing environment.
- Knowledge of loss prevention policies and practices.
- Knowledge of case building, the criminal justice system and its process, as well as judicial interventions: CBOs, civil recovery methods etc.
- IT literate - Efficient in using a variety of platforms and software, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, In-house transaction monitoring software and intelligence sharing programs.
- Knowledge on data mining best practises, industry standard investigation and interview techniques (PACE, WZ etc) preferable.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Person Profile
- A clear, concise communicator, both written and verbally.
- Approachable and personable.
- Self-motivated.
- Ability to influence at all levels of the organisation, working to win hearts and minds.
- Able to manage own time and prioritise effectively.
- Inquisitive, calm, and professional approach.
- Ability to make decisions as needed with minimal supervision.
- Adaptable and resilient.
- Coachable and values development.
- Why work for Waterstones
At Waterstones, everything we do is about our customers, and we work hard to provide them with the best possible shopping experience, one that will make them want to visit time and time again.
We strive to consistently deliver fantastic customer service, whether recommending a book or a gift, keeping our shops beautifully stocked, helping out in our lovely Café W’s, or keeping the wheels turning efficiently behind the scenes.
Working with us, you will get to use your expertise and enthusiasm to bring to our customers the irreplaceable pleasures of a good bookshop (including a virtual one).
In return, you will be working in a role that can make a real difference to Waterstones, work in a friendly and dynamic team and get to benefit from our excellent discount in shops and .
If you have the relevant essential experience and you are interested, we would love to hear from you.
Waterstones is committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and is dedicated toward eliminating unlawful discrimination.
Our aim is to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel fully respected and to be able to give their best.
Diversity Statement
At Waterstones, we are committed to creating a workplace that is fair and inclusive to people from all backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and we strive to promote an inclusive work culture.
We are working hard to ensure our recruitment processes are free from bias, and our aim is to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel fully respected and able to give their best.
Reasonable Adjustments
We understand that some disabled applicants may, due to the nature of their disability, find some parts of the recruitment process challenging.
If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the interview process, please make these known either to your interviewer or the person you liaise with when setting up your interview.
Loss Prevention Investigator in Bath employer: Waterstones
Waterstones is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters growth and innovation in the heart of London. With a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, employees are encouraged to thrive while contributing to a beloved brand that has been a cornerstone of bookselling since 1982. The company provides ample opportunities for professional development, a supportive culture, and the chance to be part of a team that values creativity and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Loss Prevention Investigator in Bath
✨Join Security Community Events
Dive into local security conferences and workshops. These events are goldmines for networking with industry professionals, and they often host recruiters looking for candidates for full-time roles like Loss Prevention Investigator. Plus, you can showcase your passion and familiarity with the latest trends!
✨Connect with Industry Experts
Utilise platforms like LinkedIn to follow and connect with leaders in security services. Engage with their content; it shows your interest and can spark conversations that might lead to job opportunities at companies like Waterstones. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for insights or informational interviews!
✨Polish Your Online Presence
Make sure your online presence reflects your skills in security services – think certifications, relevant projects, or coursework. Share your expertise through blogs or posts discussing recent trends in security. This will make you stand out to employers searching for full-time Loss Prevention Investigator candidates.
✨Directly Apply to Waterstones
Don’t forget to apply for the Loss Prevention Investigator role directly through our website! It not only ensures that your application is seen by the right eyes but also demonstrates your enthusiasm for joining Waterstones.
We think you need these skills to ace Loss Prevention Investigator in Bath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Certifications:When applying for a full-time position in security services, make sure to showcase any relevant certifications you have, like SIA or other security industry qualifications. This adds credibility and shows that you're serious about your career in this field.
Demonstrate Your Attention to Detail:In security roles, attention to detail is crucial. Use your CV and cover letter to provide examples of how you’ve noticed and addressed security vulnerabilities or hazards in past jobs. This will help us see your proactive approach to ensuring safety.
Tailor Your Experience:Don’t just list duties from previous jobs; instead, frame your experiences in a way that relates directly to the role at Waterstones. Whether that's managing a team, conducting risk assessments, or successfully maintaining safety protocols, make this relevant to what we do.
Share Your Availability and Flexibility:Full-time roles often require a degree of flexibility. Make sure to clearly state your availability in your application, especially if you can work various shifts. This shows us your readiness to adapt to the needs of the role at Waterstones.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waterstones
✨Know Your Security Protocols
In the security services field, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the latest security protocols and technologies. Brush up on things like surveillance systems, access control, and emergency response procedures. You'll likely face technical questions, so having a couple of solid scenarios or case studies ready can really impress your interviewers at Waterstones.
✨Demonstrate Situational Awareness
Prepare to showcase your situational awareness skills. You might be put in hypothetical scenarios where you need to assess potential risks or respond to incidents. Practising how you’d handle these situations ahead of time can give you the confidence to articulate your thought process during the interview.
✨Emphasise Teamwork & Communication
Since security services often rely on effective teamwork and clear communication, be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any instances where you’ve had to relay critical information or work closely with other services – this is key for a role at Waterstones.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
You can expect a variety of behavioural interview questions focusing on your past experiences and how you've handled challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Sharing specific examples from previous security roles or related jobs will help demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and reliability to the team at Waterstones.