PURPOSE:

The Vice President, Asset Protection (AP) role is critical in contributing to making UNFI the best place to work and invest in by developing and implementing strategies that provide a secure environment for all our company assets (people, products, and property).  The role will have overall responsibility for UNFI’s AP strategy and team and will support companywide activities in the areas of asset protection, corporate security, executive protection, and organized retail crime to drive compliance and continuous improvement. This role will be a champion of a strong culture of asset protection and security awareness, working to seamlessly integrating AP and reduce the overall security risk to the company.  The role is responsible for developing a high-performing team of AP leaders to ensure the execution of the company’s AP strategy and business objectives. The VP, AP will serve as the functional leader on AP matters to the company’s stakeholders including but not limited to supply chain and operations, human resources, legal and executive leadership for both the commercial wholesale and retail segments of the business.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Direction 25%:

·       Set the vision for UNFI’s AP program and align it with our business objectives.

·       Define the strategic direction of UNFI’s asset protection program, ensuring AP is seamlessly integrate into our culture.

·       Develop and execute the implementation of near and long-term security strategy and goals in alignment with UNFI’s business objectives and culture.

·       Identify security risks that may impact the company and creates strategies to reduce and mitigate the exposure to the business.

·       Using knowledge of the security industry and trends within the company, develop company-wide security policies and procedures to safeguard company associates, products, and property.

·       Be a key advisor to leadership teams to ensure understanding of weaknesses, deficiencies, and challenges within our security programs – including physical security measures, technology, and people. Work collaboratively with leadership to prioritize and address these issues.

Asset Protection: Commercial Wholesale 20%:

·       Ensures all Asset Protection programs are being addressed and functioning at the highest level for the commercial wholesale segment.

·       Design and implements a physical security assessment program to identify and address security gaps that create an unsafe environment, increase the potential for theft and fraud, and contribute to the loss of products and property. 

·       Oversee a professional and responsive investigative program to address criminal activity and misconduct issues.  Keep leadership informed of significant investigative matters.

·       Develop, deploy, manage, and maintain a training program that prepares the team and other associates to proactively recognize and report suspicion indicators of all types of violence in the workplace.  Ensure there is a high-functioning threat assessment team that can react quickly and in real time to potential and actual threats.

·       Ensure each company facility has an Emergency Action Plan that addresses active threats and exercises these plans annually.   

·       Implement a threat monitoring program to detect threats that may impact the company including our associates, leadership, product, and property. 

Asset Protection – Retail 20%:

·       Ensures all Asset Protection programs are being addressed and functioning at the highest level for the retail segment.

·       Create, deploy, and maintain an auditing program to ensure consistent execution of the company’s asset protection practices, systems, and activities.

·       Oversee a professional and responsive organized retail crime (ORC) team to investigate and address criminal activity and misconduct issues.  Keep leadership informed of significant investigative matters.

·       Develop, deploy, manage, and maintain a training program that prepares the team and other associates to proactively recognize and report suspicion indicators of all types of violence in the workplace.  Ensure there is a high-functioning threat assessment team that can react quickly and in real time to potential and actual threats.

·       Achieve shrink reduction goals by implementing, prioritizing, and driving asset protection initiatives. Support retail AP team with analyzing inventory management processes, including those associated with high value merchandise.

·       Partner with retail cross functional leaders to create AP policies and procedures and take initiative to collaborate with leaders to identify opportunities to reduce shrink and overall risk.

·       Oversee efficient AP technology solutions such as fire alarms, secure display cases, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems for existing and retail stores.

Executive Protection 15%:

·       Responsible for enhancing and implementing the executive protection program.

·       Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on all security matters.

·       Coordinate and direct exceptional security services for all major Company and Board events including Annual Meetings, Sales Expos, Investor Events, Board Meetings, and other similar-type events.

Key Performance Indicators 5%:

·       Manage overall AP financial performance by analyzing key financial indicators. Use financial analysis to create and evaluate strategic options and opportunities and communicate these to cross-functional partners and leadership. Make strategic decisions to improve financial results.   

·       Develop, analyze, and communicate annual AP targets for the organization.

·       Implement standardized and actionable AP metrics and communication protocols to leadership teams to drive continuous improvement.

·       Review monthly AP metrics, identify trends, and develop plans to mitigate risks and implement action plans.

Team Management 5%:

·       Build a high performing team to ensure the AP strategy is executed successfully, including hiring talent, onboarding, coaching, and development of the team. Lead annual talent calibrations.

Collaborate 5%:

·       Partner with all departments to influence and manage AP resources, projects, and business directions to balance business and operational needs. Drive continuous product, process, and technology improvements through cross-functional and interdepartmental team collaboration.

Representative of UNFI AP team for priority matters 5%:

·       Act as the UNFI liaison for escalated law enforcement agencies, other governmental or public entities as well as customer and consumer matters. Serve as the AP leader in presenting AP initiatives and updates to senior leadership and other stakeholder groups as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education/ Certifications/or Equivalent combination of education training and experience:

·       Bachelor’s degree required – preferably in political science, criminal justice, information security or related field.

·       Certification as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Certified Threat Manager (CTM), Physical Security Professional (PSP,) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) are highly desirable.

Experience:

·       15+ years of relevant experience in asset protection with large public company (with a recognizable profile) with previous responsibility for corporate security, executive protection, organized retail crime, and investigations required. 

·       10+ years of relevant experience interacting with law enforcement and governmental agencies.

·       10+ years of prior experience leading large team of AP professionals.

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

·       Ability to articulate complex AP topics to technical and non-technical audiences, including board-level stakeholders, with a clear and compelling communication style.

·       Ability to analyze and independently resolve a variety of difficult situations and problems using timely decision making.

·       Experience actively working with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to strategically solve problems, manage projects, drive performance while maintaining long-term strategies.

·       Excellent ability to develop and present business plans and strategies to influence company decision makers.

·       Ability to coordinate planning and collaboration with other business functions in a way that is mutually beneficial and drives continuous improvement.

·       Adapts well to and initiates change in the organization.

·       Ability to work in fast paced, complex organization.

·       Excellent time management skills.

·       Excellent organizational skills with Ability to prioritize tasks.

·       Ability to respond vs. react in intense situations and ability to use appropriate de-escalation skills as needed.

·       Exceptional presentation and training skills.

·       Exceptional ability to deal with conflict at all levels and areas of the organization.

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

·       Proficient with Microsoft Word, Power point and Excel.

·       Ability to work flexible hours.

·       Good judgement is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

PHYICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:

·       Remote position with willingness to travel up to 50% of the time.

·       Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.

·       Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.

·       While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. 

·       Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment during a normal workday.

·       Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in completion of job duties.

·       While at our distribution centers, the incumbent may be exposed to temperatures ranging from -20 degrees below zero to 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Perishable Operation and 37 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Grocery Operation

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.