Navigating the Asset Protection Manager Landscape in United States with Step-by-Step Career Guide

Managers of asset protection are accountable to prevent financial losses from fraud and theft within a business. Businesses that require their merchandise to be secured depend on them to ensure security and manage incidents of theft in accordance with the company's policy. They typically employ a variety of tools, including communications devices, protective equipment and restraint equipment like handcuffs. The training of other employees within the organization in loss prevention is an important component of the job of an asset protection manager.

Asset protection managers usually operate in retail stores usually from a central security center which allows them to monitor various areas of the store by using surveillance equipment. They can also be on the sales floor, pretending to shop, but in reality, they are observing suspicious people. Most of the time, asset protection managers collaborate with other personnel from the asset protection department. However, they may also collaborate with other retail employees and customers. The daily tasks may include the identification of associate behavior and operational issues that cause losses to the business and also investigating issues of internal dishonesty as well as organized crime in retail.

Candidates for these positions typically have to be at least 18 years old and be able to pass background and drug tests. Regarding education, there are no requirements specific to the job, however an advanced degree from a postsecondary institution could be preferable. Asset protection specialists typically operate during their company's operating hours to supervise the prevention of losses, however some additional hours are possible.