Wickes are continuing their growth strategy and are recruiting for a Security Investigator to join us on a permanent basis. This role is a field-based role; the ideal candidate needs to be based in the South East of England.
Role Purpose:
As a Security Investigator at Wickes, you will deliver comprehensive, specialist security support to safeguard company assets, protect our people, and drive profitability. Operating across the Wickes estate, you will manage security incidents both proactively and reactively, conduct thorough investigations, and minimise risk exposure across our store network.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Prevention & Asset Protection: Deliver an effective asset protection and shrinkage reduction service covering stock loss, cash loss, colleagues, and premises. Provide proactive advice across the estate to enhance physical security and contribute to company policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Awareness & Field Engagement: Educate store operational teams and Regional Operations Managers on protecting company assets. Maintain a strong field presence by conducting routine store visits, ensuring operational and physical security guidelines are followed to mitigate theft and fraud.
- Compliance & Infrastructure Management: Collaborate with designated service partners to design, review, and sign off fit-for-purpose security installations for new stores and refits according to Wickes Security Specifications. Manage physical security across the estate, monitoring and acting on reported security incidents.
- Detection & Analytics: Leverage internal reporting systems, detection tools, and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) data to identify dishonesty, profit erosion, and shrinkage trends.
- Investigation & Case Resolution: Conduct investigations and interviews into stock/cash losses, policy breaches, and brand damage at the direction of the Head of Security & Investigations. Evaluate store inventory and audit results, target high-risk sites, serve civil recoveries, and liaise with police and external agencies where appropriate.
- Continuous Improvement & Support: Deliver clear investigation reports detailing root-cause policy/process failures and recommending remedial actions. Support Operations with court attendance, coach store teams on crime deterrence initiatives, and keep personal qualifications up to date.
What We’re Looking For
- Essential Qualifications: GCSE (or equivalent) Grade C / 4 or above in English and Mathematics. WZ (Wicklander-Zulawski) Non-Confrontational Interviewing Technique certification. APCIP Accreditation.
- Essential Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ proven track record in investigative and risk management roles within a corporate or retail environment. Demonstrated experience handling risk identification, corporate policies, and compliance procedures. Proven experience working independently, managing time effectively, and delivering results within a high-tempo, dynamic environment.
Essential Skills & Knowledge:
- Communication & Stakeholder Management: Strong ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams, store management, and external partners.
- Analytical & Technical Skills: High level of computer literacy; strong analytical, statistical, and numerical skills with sharp observational and listening capabilities.
- Reporting: Ability to write clear, factual, and concise security investigation reports with actionable recommendations.
- Legal & Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of local policing operations and relevant legislation, including GDPR, the Theft and Fraud Act, and Employment Law.
- Mobility: Full flexibility and willingness to travel nationwide, including overnight stays as required.
What can we offer you?
You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We also have an early careers network to support you if you’re in your first few years of your career.
We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:
- Competitive bonus
- Save-as-you-earn scheme
- Private Medical and Life Assurance
- Enhanced contributory pension scheme
- Colleague discount
- Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle-to-work scheme
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.
By giving you the support you need to do well at work and the flexibility to make life work for you. We are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day.
About Us:
Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues. But it is our culture that is considered our best-kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down-to-earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.
We aim to create an inclusive workplace with colleagues’ wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
