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This is just one of the several exciting career opportunities that are currently available.
Job Summary
The Brand Protection Investigator will support a global car manufacturer'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 South African 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.
Essential Functions
- 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 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 in 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 the BPG Association and/or government agencies;
- Support marketing initiatives to promote genuine original equipment parts with consumers and 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.
- Assist with the development of special projects, as needed.
- All other duties, as assigned.
Bachelor's degree and three to five 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. Pinkerton is an inclusive employer who seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Competencies
- Brand protection investigation experience.
- 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.
- Bi-lingual skills; English and Afrikaans.
- 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.
- Computer skills; Microsoft Office.
With or without reasonable accommodation, requires the physical and mental capacity to effectively perform all essential functions;
- Exposure to sensitive and confidential information.
- Regular computer usage.
- Occasional reaching and lifting of small objects and operating office equipment.
- Ability to adjust focus between close and distance vision.
- Travel, as required.
