Regional AP Manager

About the Role

The Regional Asset Protection Manager (RAPM) leads and coordinates all Asset Protection functions within an assigned Region, which contains between 10-16 Districts and 120 -190 Ulta Beauty stores. The RAPM is committed to upholding Ulta Beauty's values and demonstrates our competencies, which are integrated within the RAPM's primary responsibilities. They are focused on creating a safe environment to enhance the Wow Experience, Win Together to support operational excellence and control losses, strengthen our culture of Do What's Right, and Champion Diversity by fostering an inclusive environment for all. The RAPM will hire, train, develop talent, and lead a team of three (3) to seven (7) field-based Area Asset Protection Managers within a Region.

Key Partnerships

The RAPM is a key Field Business Partner and critical advisor to the Regional Vice President. They work collaboratively with District Managers, Support Field Leaders, Store Leaders, Corporate Partners, Supply Chain, and Organized Retail Crime Managers to drive company shrink mitigation solutions, safety initiatives, and asset protection programs. They provide guidance, oversight, and functional expertise with a variety of complex internal and external investigations relating to fraud, theft, organized crime, and embezzlement. They work together internally, communicate with various levels of leadership, and provide counsel during special events, workplace violence situations, emergency preparedness, critical incidents, and business continuity situations. They also partner externally with local law enforcement, industry groups, other retailers, and district attorneys as needed.

Responsibilities

• Hire, manage, and develop Area Asset Protection Managers for future growth; focus on individual development and succession planning to build bench strength and increase internal promotions.
• Provide training, development, and guidance to AAPMs in all aspects of their role, including training, investigations, interviews, analytics, audits, case management, exception reporting, etc.
• In partnership with AAPMs, educate Field Operations in shrink awareness, including programs, methods for protecting inventory, cash, equipment, and other company assets.
• Oversight of all internal and external investigations using multiple tools and resources. Guide AAPMs in preparing, coordinating, and conducting internal investigations and interviews promptly regarding integrity issues, theft, and violations of company policy. Provide feedback for continuous improvement and, as needed, partner with the People Success Business Partner, Associate Care and Support, and Legal Services on case resolutions.
• Provide Regional Vice President and District Managers with recommendations for resolution and continuous improvement.
• Review exception-based reporting (EBR) and conduct group or 1:1 training to ensure direct reports utilize store exception reporting to develop internal investigations.
• Review regional reports and various analytics to support our store visit strategy and validate AAPMs complete required audits. Assess and consult with AAPMs and District Managers on opportunities to improve performance results based on store audit results.
• Support and collaborate with the Regional Vice President to identify shrink root causes, trends, and talent performance from AP's various business intelligence platforms, store audit results, and through store visits.
• In partnership with the Regional Vice President, develop the Region's strategic shrink plan, including management and oversight of the High Shrink Program to improve profitability.
• Partner with the Regional Vice President and District Managers to coordinate and present information to Stores and Field Leadership audiences, including conference calls and regional and district meetings.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Store Operations Regional Vice President, District Managers, and Store Teams and work collaboratively with Corporate and Supply Chain Business Partners to drive improvements in inventory shrinkage, safety, and store concerns.
• Prepare and present business review and overview of region performance to senior leadership, including C-suite executives, Senior VP of Operations, Vice Presidents and Directors of various departments during store visits, operational and virtual meetings.
• Collate weekly operational reporting to identify outliers, drive business results, and support accountability to processes (i.e., Inventory Control reporting, external incidents, tester and applicable business metrics).
• Ensure AAPM completes necessary training both in new stores and current locations, focusing on new leaders, shrink performance, audit scores, and other key indicators.
• Manage physical security ad hoc budget within the Region to ensure stores receive needed camera upgrades and replacements to support LP investigations and initiatives.
• Partner with AAPM's, Field Leaders, and other key business partners as needed to investigate external incidents (i.e., burglary, ORC activity, and robbery). Develop action plans to implement preventive measures that will reduce the frequency of events. In partnership with the ORC Managers, LP Operations, and Facilities.
• Partner with AP Director to identify, recommend, and deploy new and upgraded store AP attributes, technology, process improvements related to shrink, security, safety, sanitation, and cash management. Review and provide recommendations for the physical security setup of new and existing stores.
• Manage Region's AP travel expense budget; approve and manage team expenses and timely reporting.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality, review, and assess the quality of internal and external investigations and interviews performed by the AP Team to ensure company standards and procedures are followed, and case data is accurate; provide feedback and coaching to AAPM as needed.
• Support, actively participate in, or lead various company programs, technology solutions, proofs of concept, and rollouts (new and current processes) that tie to our larger strategic imperatives.
• Ensure operational standards are being maintained on store visits, through reporting and in alignment with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), corporate directives, and regional priorities.
• Leverage analytics, technology, and reporting to understand operational deficiencies and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in various AP programs and initiatives and lead special projects to strengthen the overall AP team and deliver on our company goals and objectives.
• Partner with local law enforcement, landlords, district attorneys, and retail industry networks to assist with quick case resolutions and foster community support.
• Lead with empathy when assisting regional teams in any emergency event; follow Ulta Beauty Safety Guidelines while coordinating efforts with the appropriate business partners (Associate Care & Support, Facilities, Business Continuity, etc.).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum seven (7) years' experience in Asset Protection in a retail environment; multi-store experience is preferred in a supervisory role, with direct and indirect reports.
• Wicklander-Zulawski Interviewing Certificate; advanced course instruction preferred.
• Exhibits the highest level of personal integrity.
• Demonstrated proficiency and expertise conducting investigations, interviews, and interrogations.
• CFI (Certified Forensic Interviewer) preferred.
• Strong business relationship skills and developed leadership competencies.
• Proficient in crisis management and have the ability to make appropriate decisions in complex situations while leading with empathy.
• Exceptional written, verbal, electronic communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to learn, contribute, and thrive in a fast-growing, dynamic environment.
• High level of confidentiality and superior organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Advanced knowledge and technical expertise in internal and external investigations.
• Solid analytical skills; able to identify trends to help drive sales, business plans, and support operational initiatives that directly correlate with total retail losses.
• Must be comfortable leading independently, able to multitask, be flexible and embrace change, plan and prioritize the needs of the business.
• Demonstrates proficiency in current loss prevention industry trends and best practices.
• Good working knowledge of loss prevention tools and technology and their application to the role (MS Office, EAS, Burglar Alarms, CCTV, case management software, exception-based reporting, IOS devices, POS, etc.).
• Ability to learn new software programs.

Schedule & Working Conditions

• The ability to work a flexible, full-time schedule (to include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays).
• Attend offsite meetings and conferences (locally and overnight).
• In-town and out-of-town travel to visit stores with direct reports and leaders within designated market; overnight travel up to 50%.
• Responds to store-based emergencies and has a high degree of accessibility.
• Ability to maintain a home office working environment.

Physical Requirements

• Continuous mobility throughout the store daily.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. daily.
• Stoop, kneel, and crouch daily.
• Periodic ladder climbing and ability to maintain balance daily.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.