Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Cristian Alvarado

Los Alamitos,CA

Summary

Results-driven Assets Protection professional with a background in retail security and loss prevention. Experienced in internal, external, and fraud investigations. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective security measures, reducing shrinkage and risk mitigation. Skilled in team leadership, training, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure a safe and secure environment. Proven track record of achieving operational excellence and protecting company assets. Passionate about delivering superior performance and enhancing the bottom line through proactive strategies.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Regional Investigator (Corporate)

Nordstrom
05.2023 - Current
  • Oversaw and executed Organized Retail Crime strategies in assigned multi-market region.
  • Responsible for developing strong Organized Retail Crime (ORC) cases while partnering with Nordstrom Loss Prevention Managers, Regional Loss Prevention, other Retailers, and Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement.
  • Supported complex and sensitive internal theft cases involving Senior Leaders and Loss Prevention employees in multiple stores across region.
  • Collected, analyzed, and interpreted information, documentation, and physical evidence associated with investigations.
  • Reviewed existing company policies and recommended improvements related to Organized Retail Crime, detection, and response strategies.
  • Developed and executed performance management programs to increase employee engagement and productivity in multi-market region.

Sr. Market Investigator (Corporate)

Nordstrom
07.2021 - 05.2023
  • Conducted and supported investigations into individuals associated with Organized Retail Crime groups and activities in multi-store market.
  • Supported high-level field & fence investigations, case development, and resolution.
  • Led and closed complex market or regional theft cases including ORC, fraud, brand, and reputational issues in multi-store market.
  • Worked with Store Management and Field Asset Protection to identify ORC and external theft opportunities, recommended resolutions, and created action plans to eliminate those opportunities within assigned market using reporting tools.
  • Built partnerships with industry organizations and benchmarked competition for trends and initiatives that are impacting the industry.
  • Provided hands-on training in investigative tactics and coached and trained field and store leaders on investigative interview tactics in assigned market region.
  • Developed positive relationships with law enforcement agencies at local, state, and federal levels, as well as other retail loss prevention ORC organizations to identify, investigate, and prosecute offenders.

Executive Team Lead-Asset Protection (Manager)

Target
07.2019 - 12.2020
  • Trained loss prevention staff, retail managers, and store employees on loss control and prevention measures.
  • Worked closely with law enforcement in investigating and solving theft and fraud cases.
  • Led internal investigations into dishonest activity and policy violations.
  • Leveraged data analysis tools to identify trends in theft or loss, enabling targeted interventions that yielded significant improvements in asset protection outcomes.
  • Collaborated with law enforcement to report crime and suspicious activity.
  • Reduced losses by implementing cost-saving initiatives that addressed long-standing problems.
  • Drove operational improvements which resulted in savings and improved profit margins.
  • Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
  • Promoted Safety and Compliance through training staff and management on EHS and OSHA regulations.

Asset Protection Specialist (Asst. Manager)

Target
04.2017 - 07.2019
  • Target's leading Asset Protection Specialist with 431 successful apprehensions (2018-2019).
  • Contacted local authorities and apprehended shoplifters.
  • Demonstrated industry-standard interrogation skills, conducted interviews, and collected evidence and documentation for internal and external investigations.
  • Led physical security and safety culture through training and by promoting safe and secure standards.
  • Prepared case reports, preserved evidence, interacted with law enforcement, and testified in criminal and civil court actions to facilitate prosecution.
  • Reviewed CCTV and audited EAS and exception reports to identify dishonest activity, theft, and fraud.
  • Wrote reports for internal and external crime, burglary, or theft.
  • Increased apprehensions and recovered $136,000 by motivating and coaching direct reports for optimum productivity and performance.
  • Mitigated risk and oversaw internal and external shoplifter apprehension and detention.

Target Protection Specialist

Target
07.2016 - 04.2017
  • Analyzed and produced course-of-action reports and escalated issues outside scope of expertise to management.
  • Secured premises and personnel by patrolling property and monitoring surveillance equipment.
  • Recorded observations and occurrences and interviewed witnesses to complete and submit incident reports.
  • Drafted reports of property damage, theft, accidents, and unusual occurrences to document daily activities and irregularities.
  • Monitored employee activities, confirming compliance with safety and security regulations.
  • Greeted guests professionally and courteously to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere while making safety a top priority.

Team Member

Target - Garden Grove
12.2012 - 06.2016
  • Helped customers complete purchases, locate items, and join reward programs to promote loyalty, satisfaction, and sales numbers.
  • Processed POS transactions, including checks, cash, and credit purchases or refunds.
  • Supported efficient and timely replenishment of sales floor merchandise.
  • Provided accurate information about promotions, customer programs, and products, helping drive high customer retention.
  • Completed setup, breakdown, and product preparation for promotional displays and in-store demonstrations.
  • Provided excellent customer service to cultivate loyalty and satisfaction.
  • Answered questions about store policies and concerns to support positive customer experiences.

Education

Associate of Arts - Social and Behavioral Science

Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA
05.2019

Skills

  • Bilingual (Spanish)
  • Investigations (Internal, External, Fraud)
  • Interviewing/Interrogation Techniques (Wicklander Cert)
  • Physical Security
  • Inventory Control
  • Data Analysis
  • Risk Management
  • Safety/EHS
  • Project Management
  • Policy Writing
  • Background Checks
  • Surveillance
  • Report Writing

Timeline

Regional Investigator (Corporate)

Nordstrom
05.2023 - Current

Sr. Market Investigator (Corporate)

Nordstrom
07.2021 - 05.2023

Executive Team Lead-Asset Protection (Manager)

Target
07.2019 - 12.2020

Asset Protection Specialist (Asst. Manager)

Target
04.2017 - 07.2019

Target Protection Specialist

Target
07.2016 - 04.2017

Team Member

Target - Garden Grove
12.2012 - 06.2016

Associate of Arts - Social and Behavioral Science

Golden West College

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Cristian Alvarado