GENERAL PURPOSE

The Area Loss Prevention Manager (ALPM) is responsible for protecting the assets of Ross Stores, Inc. while achieving shortage and safety goals for assigned stores/district(s)/area.  This is done by managing, promoting, and directing all Loss Prevention initiatives and programs within the assigned group of stores and by developing and maintaining strong partnerships at the store, district, and zone levels. Through effective Operations and Human Resources partnerships, the ALPM implements company-driven shortage and safety solutions while providing regular direction and leadership to minimize operational shortage, mitigate theft and fraud, and maintain safe and secure environments for Ross associates and customers.  At times, the ALPM will also work with other cross-functional groups to ensure integrated solutions positively impact shortage control and accident reduction initiatives. In partnership with Store Managers, ALPMs share supervisory responsibility for store-based Loss Prevention associates (Store Protection Specialists or SPS) and are involved in the ongoing hiring, training, development, and performance management of this team.  Periodically, ALPMs may need to support the response to, recovery from, and future prevention of serious incidents within assigned market.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Minimizing Operational Shortage

• Achieve shortage reduction goals for assigned stores, districts, or areas.
• Understand and respond to shortage processes (e.g., CNS, MOS, Front-End Operations, MPT) and analytics.
• Identify shortage risks through regular review of indicator reports; partner with stores to develop action plans to address and minimize operational shortage.
• Ensure all Loss Prevention shortage audits are conducted consistently and objectively, with a focus on continuous improvement through partnership and training.
• Coach, train, and influence store leadership and associates on best practice execution to minimize operational shortage.
• Promote shortage awareness through store programs (e.g., Shortage Highway) and ensure the current Loss Prevention Awareness Center is visible to associates.
• Support assigned stores, districts, or areas during annual and/or semi-annual inventory processes.
• Strictly adhere to all budget guidelines established for assigned stores, districts, or areas.

Mitigating Theft & Fraud

• Aggressively identify, investigate, and resolve internal and external theft and fraud, striving to minimize loss to the company and address emerging theft and fraud trends.
• Maximize utilization of all available merchandise protection tools and resources, including EAS, domes, alarm equipment, fitting room controls, and Shortage Highway, to address loss throughout the company.
• Ensure consistent execution of deterrence resources and tools to proactively combat external loss.
• Leverage exception and store reporting systems to identify theft activity, including cash shortages, in assigned stores.
• Drive resolution and case closure for all internal and external investigations, including timely follow-up on internal leads from the Corporate Investigative Analyst team, Alertline process, and external intelligence from retailers and law enforcement regarding market theft trends.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality throughout internal investigations; partner with store and district leadership and Human Resources to address associate behavior and take corrective action.
• Drive an impactful and effective SPS program by participating in store efforts to hire, train, and develop SPS associates in assigned stores, districts, or areas.
• Maintain accurate records and reports of identified theft activity and related follow-up; communicate reporting as necessary.
• Drive store-level awareness of theft and fraud techniques, as well as prevention tools and resources, to mitigate future impact and loss.
• Provide expertise on physical security and loss prevention systems during new store openings, remodels, and expansions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (cont.)

Maintaining a Safe & Secure Environment

• Drive achievement of accident reduction goals for General Liability (GL) and Workers' Compensation (WC) within assigned stores, districts, or areas.
• Conduct regular Loss Prevention safety audits to ensure compliance with accident prevention standards, critical incident programs, and safety requirements.
• Promote a safety-first culture through regular store audits, support of safety incentive programs, and participation in accident-free milestone celebrations.
• Participate in store and district conference calls to increase awareness of safety initiatives and emergency response procedures.
• Execute effective crisis management and incident response; coach and train store leadership and associates on investigation findings, opportunities for improvement, and prevention techniques.
• Provide physical security expertise and ensure proper functionality of store-based security technologies, including alarms, CCTV systems, and Intellex.
• Regularly evaluate building integrity and partner with store management to address equipment failures and facility concerns.

Developing Great Teams & Partnerships

• Train store leadership, associates, Operations partners, and Human Resources partners on current Loss Prevention initiatives and programs.
• Assist store leadership in promoting awareness campaigns related to shortage control and safety measures; participate in key store meetings and recognition activities.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with corporate Loss Prevention partners and field-based peers; share market trends and provide feedback on current and proposed initiatives.
• Foster partnerships with internal organizations to drive integrated solutions supporting shortage control and accident reduction efforts.
• Promote a performance management culture by identifying opportunities for improvement in individual, team, and store performance; influence positive behavioral change before issues become ingrained.
• Participate in recruiting and hiring top talent for store-based Loss Prevention positions; support onboarding, training, development, and performance management of SPS associates in partnership with store management.
• Promote effective internal communication through regular Store Protection Specialist conference calls and participation in store rally meetings.
• Establish and maintain relationships with external business partners, including law enforcement agencies, retail theft organizations, and other retail Loss Prevention departments.
• Assist in the development and updating of training materials and awareness session content.
• Perform other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED

•    Experience in driving successful loss prevention, shortage control, accident reduction and fraud prevention programs.
•    Self-motivated individual who can be successful in a fast-paced environment, with minimal supervision.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong presentation skills.
•    Must demonstrate the ability to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities.
•    Excellent analytical skills and demonstrated ability to solve problems.
•    Proven ability to make good decisions under pressure.
•    Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented.
•    Maintains confidentiality concerning all information and projects.
•    Values and exhibits the highest level of personal integrity. 
•    Must have proficiency in and knowledge of computer software including MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
•    Knowledge of and previous experience with Loss Prevention technologies (including CCTV systems and exception reporting systems) is advantageous.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS

•    BA degree or greater preferred, preferably in Business or Criminal Justice, or equivalent work experience.
•    5+ years directly-related, multi-unit Loss Prevention and/or Retail work experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Shared supervisory responsibility for up to 75 store-based Loss Prevention associates (Store Protection Specialists or SPS) within assigned stores/district(s)/area.