Brian Starling
McKinney,TX
Summary
High-performing leader in loss prevention, safety, and risk management with a proven track record of steering teams and directing security management functions. Manages security operations, procedures, training, recruiting, and creating dynamic teams. Improves organizational effectiveness and efficiency through leadership that aligns business processes and customer requirements to realize cost savings, achieve performance objectives, and sustain strategic flexibility. Demonstrates adeptness in resolving pressing safety/security issues with a deliberate and strategic approach. Skilled in presenting changes, updates, or implementations of safety and loss prevention practices to C-level executives.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Loss Prevention Manager - North America
Claire's Stores
08.2022 - Current
- Reduced company losses by implementing efficient loss prevention strategies and conducting regular audits.
- Implemented targeted loss prevention initiatives in high-risk areas, significantly decreasing occurrences of theft in those locations.
- Collaborated with store management to develop effective security plans, leading to decreased incidents of theft and fraud.
- Successfully resolved numerous cases of fraudulent returns by partnering with customer service and IT departments to implement stricter return policies and verification methods. Reduced phone scams by 70%, or 112,000 in 2024.
- Developed strong relationships with law enforcement agencies, facilitating cooperation on criminal investigations related to retail theft. Reduced burglaries in free standing street stores by 36% in 2024.
- Enhanced overall store safety by conducting regular inspections and addressing any identified hazards or risks promptly. Reduced Workman Comp and GL claims by 18% in 2024.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams during complex investigations involving both internal and external stakeholders, achieving successful outcomes in each case.
- Delivered detailed reports on regional loss prevention performance to senior leadership, leading to informed decision-making and strategic planning initiatives.
- Evaluated operational processes for potential vulnerabilities, proposing actionable solutions to strengthen overall security measures.
- Provided expert guidance on emergency response plans, ensuring staff were well-prepared for potential crises situations.
- Improved inventory control procedures, minimizing stock discrepancies and reducing financial losses.
- Increased employee awareness of loss prevention through comprehensive training programs and workshops. Trained all new District team members and Store Managers during new hire training in person and via Teams application.
- Conducted thorough investigations into suspected cases of internal theft, resulting in the identification and resolution of multiple instances of employee misconduct. Closed over 275 internal investigations in two years.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on industry best practices for loss prevention, regularly sharing insights with colleagues and leadership teams for continuous improvement efforts.
- Analyzed incident reports and trends to identify key areas for improvement within the organization''s loss prevention efforts, reducing shrink in multiple key business areas through trend analysis training, technology, and cross-functional partnerships.
- Completed incident reports and activity logs for accurate, current records.
- Responded quickly to emergency alarms and calls for assistance for improved issue prevention.
- Interviewed suspects, customers and witnesses to obtain helpful information and statements.
- Generated comprehensive reports documenting evidence of attempted theft and recovered merchandise.
- Collaborated with law enforcement to detain and prosecute theft perpetrators, appearing in court hearings to provide honest and full eyewitness testimony of events.
- Calmly and efficiently addressed emergency situations such as safety hazards and threats to life or property, deescalating when possible, and directing shoppers to safety.
- Trained personnel on security best practices, protocols and procedures.
- Trained all new executives and asset protection personnel.
- Performed thorough cash audits and deposit investigations. Reduced missing deposits by 42% in 2024 through audits, training, and investigations.
Store Manager
Harbor Freight
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Analyzed sales trends to adjust inventory orders for improved turnover.
- Motivated staff to achieve store goals for enhanced sales productivity.
- Resolved customer complaints for improved store reputation and loyalty.
- Established a welcoming atmosphere to encourage repeat business.
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
- Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
- Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
- Mentored new hires during their onboarding process, ensuring they were well-equipped to excel in their roles from day one.
- Conducted regular performance reviews for staff members, providing constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
- Fostered a positive work environment by cultivating strong relationships between team members through team-building activities and consistent recognition of individual achievements.
- Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge, and service requirements.
- Managed financial aspects of store operations, including budget planning, expense tracking, and accurate record-keeping to maintain fiscal responsibility.
- Optimized labor scheduling according to store needs while adhering to budget constraints, maximizing productivity without compromising service quality.
- Oversaw loss prevention efforts, minimizing shrinkage by implementing effective security measures and training staff on proper procedures.
- Maintained open lines of communication with corporate headquarters, sharing pertinent information about store performance and requesting support when needed.
- Collaborated with other managers to develop company-wide initiatives aimed at improving overall performance across all locations.
- Organized special events such as seasonal sales promotions to drive foot traffic into the store and increase sales opportunities.
- Developed a successful employee retention plan, reducing staff turnover rates significantly.
Logistics Manager
Harbor Freight Tools USA
02.2020 - 07.2021
- Responsible for all store metrics, P&L, hiring, training, customer experience
- Implemented waste reduction initiatives to lower operational expenses.
- Mentored logistics staff for enhanced performance and improved team morale.
- Achieved streamlined supply chain processes by implementing inventory management strategies.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by closely monitoring order fulfillment and addressing issues promptly.
- Ensured regulatory compliance in all aspects of logistics operations, including transportation safety standards and customs requirements.
- Directed shipping and receiving of wide range of products daily.
- Managed a team of logistics professionals, providing coaching and guidance for career development and skill enhancement.
- Conducted regular audits of logistics practices to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions accordingly.
- Meticulously tracked shipments from origin to destination, proactively addressing any delays or issues that arose during transit.
- Resolved shipping discrepancies by coordinating customer and courier communications.
- Monitored logistics performance and identified improvement opportunities.
- Improved inventory accuracy by developing and implementing enhanced control systems.
- Efficiently managed budgets, ensuring optimal allocation of resources towards critical projects while minimizing unnecessary expenditures.
- Streamlined logistics processes by implementing efficient inventory management systems.
- Selected, trained and developed logistics personnel to achieve high-performing teams.
- Managed logistics budgets and forecasting to achieve cost-effective operations.
- Established contingency plans for potential disruptions in the supply chain, ensuring business continuity during unforeseen circumstances.
- Reduced warehouse storage costs with effective space utilization strategies.
- Enhanced team collaboration and communication, leading to more efficient problem-solving during peak operational periods.
- Developed contingency plans for logistics operations, minimizing disruptions during unexpected events.
- Conducted regular analysis of logistics performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
- Improved inventory accuracy with introduction of cycle counting program, ensuring stock levels were always up-to-date.
- Optimized warehouse layout for increased efficiency in inventory management, leading to smoother operational flow.
- Oversaw warehouse staff and maintained efficiency in fast-paced environment.
- Maintained established levels of goods based on sales forecasts and demand to fulfill orders on time.
Regional Loss Prevention and Safety Manager
Payless Shoe Source
05.2014 - 10.2019
- Serve as the spearhead for all security and safety aspects for the South Central region which includes over 300 + retail locations, and pool points
- Territory expanded to twelve states and over 600 locations at the end of bankruptcy
- Conduct thorough site surveys and risk assessments for possible new and current locations
- Respond swiftly to crisis situations to de-escalate issues; communicate all levels of risk to management
- Assure the safety of customers, associates, and all company assets through high stress level situations
- Liaison between local, state, federal law enforcement agencies, as well as leased locations in other retailers
- Minimized asset losses to under 1%, and reduced shrink for 5 continuous years
- Recognized as 'Manager of the Quarter' multiple times for outstanding results
- Boosted internal productivity by 20% by increasing tip calls and aggressive follow up
- Captured $125,000 by reducing workman's comp and general liability claims by 20%
- Reduced robbery and burglary incidents by 23% through intense field training and PD relationships
- Reduced cash shortages by 20,000 through increased stolen cash and deposit cases, and intense field training and operations buy in and support
- Reduced travel expense by increasing telephone interviews to 40% of total cases completed
- Selected to write and implement new LP policies and procedures, as well as test new exception based reporting tools, and incident reporting tools
- Also developed Quick Reference Emergency Procedures flip charts for all locations at registers and back office areas
- Constantly received Clearly Exceeds Expectations on performance reviews
Loss Prevention Manager, Senior Loss Prevention Manager, District Manager of Investigations, Regional Manager of Investigations
Foley's Macy's
01.1995 - 01.2014
- Held several roles of increasing responsibility throughout my LP tenure
- Managed 25+ personnel, streamlining safety, audit activity, updating training, and assuring standards and policy do not deviate from local, state, and federal requirements
- Defined standards and methods of operations by creating and implementing company-wide policy changes
- Led investigations in DFW, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri
- Collaborated with Operations, Human Resources, Employee Relations, and Legal Departments to keep consistency with company standards
- Initiated collaboration with IT department to improve existing data mining tools and create new exception-based reporting to stay ahead of potential new theft trends
- Assigned to multiple high shrink, profit loss locations as a Senior LPM, reducing profit erosion in each unit to historical lows
- Awarded 'Manager of the Year' six times and 'Manager of the Season' eight times based on strong partnerships from top to bottom
- Identified changes in trends that negatively impact shrink and profit erosion, security and safety to locations and employees; implemented corrective action plans based on data and peer focus groups
- Actively searched out new technologies and tested in locations for later company-wide installation
- Developed new restitution collection model that significantly increased recovery losses by 35%
- Achieved an increase in theft case productivity year after year with zero liability based on strong analytical research and associate buy-in
Education
General Studies -
Blinn Jr. College
Brenham, TXSkills
- Asset Protection
- Cross Functional Teams
- LP Operations
- Risk Mitigation
- Crisis Management
- Workplace Violence
- Physical Security
- Project Management
- Safety Programs
- ORC Investigations
- Staff Training and Development
- Expense Management
- OSHA Compliance
- Certified Forensic Interviewer
- Internal audits
- Physical security
- Analytical skills
- Shrinkage control
- Budget management
- Retail operations management
- Performance management
- Interviews and interrogations
- Inventory management
- Team building
- Team leadership
- Team collaboration
- Organizational skills
- Excellent communication
- Security systems management
Timeline
Regional Loss Prevention Manager - North America
Claire's Stores
08.2022 - Current
Store Manager
Harbor Freight
07.2021 - 08.2022
Logistics Manager
Harbor Freight Tools USA
02.2020 - 07.2021
Regional Loss Prevention and Safety Manager
Payless Shoe Source
05.2014 - 10.2019
Loss Prevention Manager, Senior Loss Prevention Manager, District Manager of Investigations, Regional Manager of Investigations
Foley's Macy's
01.1995 - 01.2014
General Studies -
Blinn Jr. College
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