Loss Prevention Investigator - 12 month fixed term contract in Slough

We are looking for a Loss Prevention Investigator to join our friendly and dynamic team here at Waterstones in London. Looking after stores across the West End and North London 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. To deliver the Loss Prevention strategy as outlined by the Group Loss Prevention Manager.

What you will be doing:

• 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, give advice and guidance to Regional Managers, Cluster Leaders, Bookshop Managers and Booksellers on all aspects of Loss Prevention.
• Prioritise and visit Waterstones, Foyles, and Blackwells stores in your remit on a needs basis, based on risk to the business.
• 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.
• Build 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.
• 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.
• Complete all set tasks within the given timeframe and escalate identified issues in an appropriate and effective manner.
• 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.

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:

Waterstones is the cornerstone of bookselling across the UK and Ireland. Joining Waterstones means being an active part in a success story that began in 1982, and books are as popular now as the day we started. Trading across the UK, Ireland and Europe, we are present in over 300 shopping locations, where Waterstones continues to thrive, each year actively pursuing a programme of new bookshop openings. Online we meanwhile mirror the essence of our bookshops, further showcasing the unique enthusiasm and knowledge of our booksellers.

If you have the relevant essential experience and you are interested, we would love to hear from you.