Some people seem to have a sixth sense about when something is not quite right, or when something is about to go wrong. Loss prevention managers have this special talent; they work with policies and practices to keep a company’s assets from illegally heading out the door. Loss prevention managers monitor shrinkage, or how much of a product is missing from inventory. To do this, they track the products going in and out of the store, and where they detect losses, they plan ways to reduce shrinkage. For example, they might reward employees who help catch shoplifters or monitor an area where products are going missing. These managers need integrity and courage to anticipate and interrupt theft, vandalism, and burglary. They often interview those involved to investigate losses, then work with store and law enforcement personnel to resolve issues. Are you ready to be on the move? Loss prevention managers usually train and supervise staff, sometimes at multiple locations, so this is a job that may require travel. Otherwise, they spend lots of time in the office filing, processing reports and evaluating loss prevention systems. Requirements to enter this field vary depending on the employer; for some a high school diploma and on-the-job training is all that’s needed, while others require a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
What they do:
Implement procedures and systems to prevent merchandise loss. Conduct audits and investigations of employee activity. May assist in developing policies, procedures, and systems for safeguarding assets.
On the job, you would:
Investigate known or suspected internal theft, external theft, or vendor fraud.
Implement or monitor processes to reduce property or financial losses.
Identify and report merchandise or stock shortages.
Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
customer service
management
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
use rules to solve problems
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Self Control
Attention to Detail
Stress Tolerance
Cooperation
Dependability
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Transaction security and virus protection software
McAfee
NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
high school diploma/GED or associate's degree usually needed
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