170+ Years Strong. Industry Leader. Global Impact.
At Pinkerton, the mission is to protect our clients. To do this, we provide enterprise risk management services and programs specifically designed for each client. Pinkerton employees are one of our most important assets and critical to the delivery of world-class solutions. Bonded together, we share a commitment to integrity, vigilance, and excellence.

Pinkerton is an inclusive employer who seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our family of industry subject matter experts.

The Brand Protection Investigator will support the client’s Brand Protection team by collecting market intelligence, evaluating leads, completing due diligence and fact gathering assignments to protect and enforce the client’s intellectual property rights within the region. The Investigator is responsible for analyzing investigative information regarding selling/manufacturing of counterfeit parts, supplier unauthorized sales and diverted/parallel parts, and assist in the creation of brand/trademark awareness and dealer network.

• Represent Pinkerton’s core values of integrity, vigilance, and excellence.
• Collect market intelligence by means such as market surveys, trade show attendance, and engagement with company, dealer, and authorized sales channel personnel.
• Evaluate leads as assigned, performing due diligence and fact gathering, leading to the development of a report from which the organization can make an informed decision on formulating a plan of action.
• Conduct proactive and reactive investigations of counterfeit selling/manufacturing of parts for the assigned market.
• Assist a network of investigators to address counterfeit activities.
• Coordinate third-party covert investigations and coordinate warranted enforcement action.
• Assist local enforcement agencies and investigators as a subject matter expert.
• Serve as the single point of contact for Investigators regarding the management case files.
• Conduct proactive and reactive investigations of supplier unauthorized sales of client parts in the assigned market.
• Purchase parts and conduct analysis with the Brand Protection team and other internal stakeholders.
• Develop supporting investigative report.
• Issue Cease and Desist letters/written supplier notifications.
• Review and supervise supplier sales disclosures.
• Conduct supplier meetings and participate in supplier negotiations for settlement and financial recovery.
• Draft Settlement Agreements between supplier and client.
• Conduct proactive and reactive investigations of diverted and parallel parts in the assigned market.
• Investigate diverted/grey parts in the market.
• Utilize various customs reports to identify importers and sources of diverted/grey goods into the marketplace.
• Conduct dealer surveys to determine dealer purchase practices in the assigned market.
• Conduct dealer parts sourcing reviews/loyalty assessment.
• Investigate original source and distribution channels.
• Support field operations/warranty operations in part sales verification.
• Maintain the database for all investigations.
• Create reports for internal meetings with high-level case recaps for the Brand Protection team and regional management.
•  Represent the client’s brands with anti-counterfeiting associations, participate in meetings, and support regional initiatives by government agencies; 
• Support marketing initiatives to promote genuine original equipment parts with consumers and the dealer network.
• Serve as the primary interface with customs and other government enforcement agencies as the local brand SME, training, product verification and task force projects.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree and one to three years of brand protection experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job, as determined by the company.

• Investigative techniques, strategies, and case management experience.
• Automotive parts manufacturing and/or distribution experience, preferred.
• Retail parts store experience, authorized dealership parts department work experience, and/or large wholesale/retail parts network operations, preferred.
• Able to analyze complex data and develop innovative recommendations and solutions.
• Able to multi-task and organize workload for effective implementation.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Able to interact effectively at all levels and across diverse cultures.
• Strong client orientation and results driven.
• Maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.
• Computer skills; Microsoft Office.

Working Conditions:

With or without reasonable accommodation, requires the physical and mental capacity to effectively perform all essential functions;

• Regular computer usage.
• Occasional reaching and lifting of small objects and operating office equipment.
• Frequent sitting, standing, and/or walking. 
• Travel, as required.

Pinkerton is an equal opportunity employer to all applicants and positions without regard to race/ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital/prenatal status, pregnancy/childbirth or related conditions, religion, creed, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any protected status by local, state, federal or country-specific law.