Regional Investigator - NW Nordstrom Stores - Seattle

The purpose of the Regional External Investigator role is to oversee and execute Organized Retail Crime strategies for their assigned region.  The Regional Investigator will peruse high impact cases that negatively affect shrink and Nordstrom’s ability to deliver on their commitments of Fashion Authority, Service and Experience and Brand to our customers. Additionally, this individual will be responsible for pursuing all field investigative matters of customer, seller and vendor fraud leveraging various data points and analytics across the enterprise to identify Organized Retail Crime activity, investigating accordingly. The Regional Investigator will be responsible for developing strong ORC cases with Nordstrom LPMs, RLPMs, other Retailers and Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement.  The Regional External Investigator will be a key member of the Nordstrom Asset Protection team.

A day in the life…

• Ensure the protection of Nordstrom team members, physical assets and buildings and increase profitability by leading external asset protection programs, resolving theft and reducing shrink for dedicated region

• Support development and implementation of a companywide AP investigative programs related to external theft activity

• Cultivate and maintain positive field-based relationships with Law Enforcement at local, state, and federal levels, as well as other retail Asset Protection ORC organizations to identify, investigate and prosecute offenders

• Conduct and support investigations into individuals associated with ORC groups and activities.  This includes high-level field & fence investigations, case development and resolution

• Conduct static and mobile surveillance.

• Ensure all prosecution/referral of local theft and fraud investigations are completed to the highest possible level and when necessary, represent Nordstrom in court and legal proceedings

• Develop Fraud models/strategies to mitigate fraud/loss while minimizing customer and operation impacts

• Stay current on industry practices and issues, assessing and communicating their potential impact on the business

• Activate data driven risk-based thinking to conduct assessments and support decision-making to proactively mitigate or reduce identified exposures

• Develop detailed investigative plans to help bring cases to resolution at the appropriate scope and pace

• Serve as an investigative subject matter expert for external investigations keeping abreast of key issues, strategies and the Investigations department's performance

• Build and foster relationships with Legal, Regional Asset Protection Managers, Field Asset Protection, Human Resources, Stores teams and various internal partners as required

• Responsible for working with Store Management and field Asset Protection to identify ORC and external theft opportunities, recommend resolutions, and create action plans to eliminate those opportunities within region using reporting tools. e.g., Store Incident Reports, ORC & Safety reporting, BOLOs from market ORC associations

• Identify, access, prioritize, and manage theft and fraud incidents balancing impact on Service Experience, Brand, Fashion Authority and Shrink

• Identify criminal activity by leveraging information from internal reporting, data analysis, AP reported incidents and retail theft trends

• Generate and update appropriate reporting methods and mechanisms to maximize efficiencies and external theft best practices across the enterprise

• Manage multiple investigations simultaneously and prioritize team resources accordingly

• Demonstrate leadership through partnering with Store, Distribution and Headquarters teams on theft and fraud related issues educating, coaching and training managers and employees on laws, best practices and internal procedures

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Self-Motivated, Strong Bias for Action, ability to multitask and organize time and resources for effective workload management.

• Work independently with minimal supervision prioritizing workload off of company tenants and impact to business.

• Ability to handle complex investigations involving sensitive and confidential information with discretion and trust.

• Represent Nordstrom at ORC conferences and meetings and testify in court.

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills 

You’ve got this if…

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred or demonstrated experience required

• Experience Managing Multiple Internal and External Stakeholder Relationships

• 5+ years Asset Protection Experience or Equivalent, Law Enforcement or Military Experience

• Meet any state or local licensure and/or other legal requirements related to the position

• Strategic, operational, and interpersonal skills demonstrating broad expertise in Asset Protection, multi-unit management, Organized Retail Crime and Fraud

• Demonstrated ability to lead effective shrink strategy related to Investigations

• Demonstrated expertise in consulting and influencing to drive business outcomes though Store, Distribution and HQ teams.

• Well versed in use of Social Media platforms, internet-based retailers/marketplaces

• Proven execution skills and ability to drive change

• Operate in an ambiguous and rapidly changing work environment

• Quickly adapt to changing priorities and tasks

• Work in high intensity situations with composure and ease

• Solution-based mindset with desire to uncover business gaps and solve problems

• Highly analytical and capable of managing programs through metrics.

• Strong understanding of case management tools and exception based and data mining tools

• 25 - 50% travel.