Head of Loss Prevention

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About Citi Trends

Citi Trends is a leading off-price value retailer of apparel, accessories, and home trends dedicated to delivering great style and amazing brands at exceptional prices. With approximately 600 stores in predominantly African American communities, Citi Trends occupies a unique and differentiated space in the retail landscape. We are in the midst of a strategic transformation focused on elevating our brand, modernizing the customer experience, and driving operational excellence across the business.

Position Summary

As Head of Loss Prevention, you will serve as a key member of the Citi Trends leadership team responsible for designing and executing an enterprise-wide asset protection strategy. This role will lead the charge in reducing shrink, managing safety and crisis protocols, and mitigating risk across our chain—particularly in high-theft, high-risk store and distribution center environments. The successful candidate will bring an in-depth understanding of loss prevention plus a blend of analytical discipline, people leadership, and field presence to help protect our people, product, and profitability. We are looking to “leapfrog” our capabilities in a rapid growth environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

  • Develop and lead Citi Trends’ loss prevention strategy, with a focused playbook for high-risk locations.
  • Ensure awareness of and alignment with current trends in retail shrink and corresponding legislative trends.
  • Focus on emerging and next-gen technologies and techniques to modernize LP for the future.
  • Provide strategic direction and leadership in the implementation of loss prevention programs, while supporting the teaching and training of Regional loss prevention Managers to ensure alignment with company objectives.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Store Operations, Supply Chain, HR, Legal, and IT to strengthen controls and foster a culture of accountability.
  • Deliver actionable insights and KPIs to senior leadership regarding shrink trends, LP performance, and risk exposure.

Field Execution & Investigations

  • Oversee all internal and external theft investigations; manage case tracking, interviews, and resolution.
  • Direct LP field teams, ensuring location-level execution of safety protocols and loss prevention initiatives.
  • Lead efforts against organized retail crime (ORC), working closely with local law enforcement and retail coalitions.
  • Develop loss prevention protocols and standard operating procedures for the two distribution centers, ensuring associate safety and security of inventory.

Safety & Compliance

  • Ensure store and DC teams are trained and compliant with safety protocols, crisis response procedures, and local regulations.
  • Build location-level readiness for emergency situations including active threat, robbery, and evacuation events.
  • Conduct audits and site reviews to assess security vulnerabilities and enforce standards.

Technology & Analytics

  • Maintain future-focused view to develop insight and guidance on emerging technologies, processes and techniques.
  • Conduct regular reviews and optimization of the Agilence tool, ensuring data accuracy, reporting efficiency, and alignment with loss prevention objectives.
  • Optimize the use of CCTV, EAS, exception-based reporting, and POS analytics to identify patterns and inform decisions.
  • Recommend and pilot emerging technologies that improve visibility and reduce shrink in high-risk markets.

Talent & Culture

  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing LP team across the field and corporate office.
  • Develop growth plans for team and org structure to facilitate growth and the evolution of talent in conjunction with new techniques and technologies.
  • Establish clear expectations and development plans for LP Managers, Field Investigators, and store and DC partners.
  • Promote a values-driven culture that prioritizes integrity, respect, and community.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Business, or related field; Master’s preferred
  • 10+ years in retail loss prevention with 5+ years in a senior leadership role
  • Demonstrated success managing LP in high-risk, urban retail environments
  • Experience in building scalable LP programs during a business turnaround or transformation
  • Strong understanding of ORC trends, investigative protocols, and LP technologies
  • Wicklander-Zulawski or similar interview/interrogation certification preferred
  • Ability to travel 50%+ to stores across the U.S and the two distribution centers.

Key Competencies

  • Strategic Thinking and Execution
  • High Emotional Intelligence and Field Credibility
  • Crisis Leadership and Risk Mitigation
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Team Building and Cross-Functional Influence
  • Cultural Awareness and Community Sensitivity

Join Us:

If you’re a seasoned LP leader passionate about creating safer stores and distribution centers, reducing shrink, and building great teams—especially in underserved communities—Citi Trends is the place to make your mark. Help us protect what matters most and fuel our turnaround journey.