Internal Audit Manager -FMCG

Internal Audit Manager wanted to join a Food Industry and Processing FMCG organization in Dubai. The successful candidate will support the planning and execution of internal audits, evaluate business risks and internal controls, monitor compliance, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and strengthen the overall control environment.

This role is ideal for an experienced Internal Auditor, Audit Executive, Risk & Compliance professional, or accounting/audit specialist with at least three years of relevant experience and a strong understanding of internal controls, operational audits, risk assessment, and business processes within the FMCG sector.

The position will involve working closely with management and functional teams, conducting periodic audits across remote depots and business divisions, reporting audit findings, and supporting corrective and remediation actions.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Audit & Risk Assessment

• Identify key business objectives, operational risks, financial risks, compliance risks, and control gaps across business functions.
• Evaluate the design and effectiveness of key internal controls in line with organizational policies, procedures, and established audit standards.
• Assist in developing risk-based internal audit plans and audit programs.
• Conduct internal audits covering operational, financial, compliance, and process-related areas.
• Review business processes to determine whether controls are adequate, effective, and consistently implemented.
• Identify control weaknesses, process inefficiencies, non-compliance issues, and potential areas of operational risk.
• Assess whether business activities are aligned with approved company policies, procedures, delegated authorities, and internal control requirements.

Operational Audit & Compliance

• Assist with the planning, execution, documentation, and reporting of operational audits.
• Test internal controls to determine their effectiveness and identify deficiencies.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, internal control frameworks, and applicable requirements.
• Ensure that Arla Minimum Controls, as specified in the relevant control catalogue, are properly implemented and followed where applicable.
• Review transactions, processes, documentation, approvals, reconciliations, and other supporting evidence as part of audit testing.
• Monitor compliance with established control procedures across different functions and locations.
• Identify opportunities to improve business processes, strengthen controls, reduce risks, and enhance operational efficiency.

Audit Findings & Corrective Actions

• Prepare preliminary audit findings based on evidence obtained during audit assignments.
• Clearly document control deficiencies, root causes, risks, and potential business impacts.
• Develop practical, realistic, and value-adding recommendations to improve the internal control environment.
• Discuss audit findings with process owners and management to ensure accuracy and obtain appropriate responses.
• Work with management and relevant stakeholders to establish corrective action and remediation plans.
• Follow up on agreed management actions and verify that identified deficiencies have been appropriately remediated.
• Escalate significant control weaknesses, overdue corrective actions, and material risks to senior management when required.

Field Audits & Remote Locations

• Conduct periodic visits to remote depots and functional divisions under UOQ to assess compliance and the effectiveness of internal controls.
• Perform on-site reviews, collect supporting evidence, interview relevant employees, and assess actual practices against established procedures.
• Identify operational and control gaps during field visits.
• Prepare clear audit reports outlining findings, risk implications, recommendations, and improvement plans.
• Present significant findings and recommended improvement actions to top management.
• Support management in implementing sustainable improvements across different locations and business functions.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of internal auditing, risk assessment, internal controls, and compliance.
• Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Good negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Excellent active listening and communication skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze business processes and identify control weaknesses.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work with confidential business information.
• Ability to prepare clear, structured, and evidence-based audit reports.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with management and operational teams.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also managing assignments independently.
• Willingness to travel to remote depots and operational locations when required.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration, Food Quality or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in internal audit, external audit, accounting, risk management, compliance, or consulting.
• Previous experience in the Food Safety FMCG, food manufacturing, retail, distribution, or consumer goods industry is preferred.
• Practical experience in operational auditing and internal control testing is highly desirable.
• Experience identifying business risks, evaluating controls, documenting audit findings, and following up on corrective actions.
• Familiarity with internal control frameworks, audit methodologies, and compliance requirements.
• Professional qualifications such as CIA, ACCA, CPA, or equivalent would be an advantage.