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Loss Prevention Managers

People classed as Loss Prevention Managers plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. The skills rated most useful are speaking, reading comprehension, and active listening. A regular part of the work is to coordinate or conduct internal investigations of problems such as employee theft and violations of corporate loss prevention policies. On the six-type interest model it reads CEI, meaning orderly work with data, records and clear procedures comes first, followed by leading, persuading and making business decisions. Getting in usually takes a bachelor’s degree plus a period of work experience, a level O*NET calls considerable preparation. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Main tasks

  • Coordinate or conduct internal investigations of problems such as employee theft and violations of corporate loss prevention policies.
  • Administer systems and programs to reduce loss, maintain inventory control, or increase safety.
  • Review loss prevention exception reports and cash discrepancies to ensure adherence to guidelines.
  • Train loss prevention staff, retail managers, or store employees on loss control and prevention measures.
  • Investigate or interview individuals suspected of shoplifting or internal theft.
  • Provide recommendations and solutions in crisis situations such as workplace violence, protests, and demonstrations.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Time Management
  • Monitoring
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You are ready to spend around four years on a degree, then build experience.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and reading comprehension.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want to avoid a four-year degree or its equivalent.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CEI takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Considerable preparation. Most jobs here ask for a bachelor’s degree, and employers usually expect a few years of related experience as well.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Asset Protection Manager
  • Logistics Loss Prevention Manager
  • Loss Control Manager
  • Loss Prevention Director
  • Loss Prevention Manager

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.