Head of Internal Audit - Birmingham, United Kingdom - Michael Page (UK)

Description

• Opportunity to lead the Internal Audit team and build a robust function
• Birmingham based with hybrid working

About Our Client

One of the UK's largest privately owned businesses based in Birmingham.

The manufacturing businesses in Boparan Private Office (BPO) comprises of poultry, pastry and biscuits, UK and ROI based with a heavy focus on the East Anglia area.

Boparan Restaurant Group nationwide brands including Giraffe, GBK, Slim Chickens, Carluccios, Ed's Easy Diner and Cinnamon Collection.

The Property business encompassing milling and agriculture.

Job Description

This is a key role within the Finance function and, ideal for someone with the vision to be able to build an effective internal audit function from the bottom up, using both internal and external resources. Ideal for someone with the agility to be performing an audit or recommending process improvements to business management one week, and then presenting on the strategic risk road map to the shareholder and exec the next week.

The Head of Internal Audit occupies a critical position, helping the BPO to achieve its objectives by evaluating the effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal control arrangements and playing a key role in promoting good corporate governance.

Reporting into the Group Reporting Finance Director, your role is to lead the Internal Audit team and build a robust Internal Audit function, including supporting the development of the Internal Audit function and continuing to build a first-class team.

• Plan, develop and execute a robust audit plan covering key operational, commercial, financial or compliance risks and processes and report against a suite of KPIs.
• Evaluate and understand issues rapidly, identify areas for improvement and recommend innovative solutions, sharing best practice to strive for operational efficiency.
• Champion a risk management, implement and own the annual Internal Control Self-Assessment process for the business and work with management in the enhancing the development of Internal Controls, robustly and constructively challenging current internal controls.
• Work with others in the organisation to promote and support good governance be a senior manager with regular and open engagement across the organisation, particularly with the leadership team and shareholder.
• Lead and direct an internal audit service sufficiently and effectively. Proactively lead/support investigation work as a result of breakdown in internal controls, HR matters or whistleblowing reports, involving third parties such as private security, investigators or police as required.

The Successful Applicant

The ideal candidate should be a resilient and experienced individual who can grow and develop the Group's Audit & Risk function, sell the benefits of internal audit and influence at multi levels of management. A track record in a manufacturing environment would be desirable. Leadership and clear communication will be essential to success in this role.

• Qualified accountant with experience of auditing large, listed entities or of operating at senior level within an internal audit function within a company of similar size and scale.
• Awareness of establishing best practice and an ability to drive ongoing improvements.
• Knowledge of managing complex investigations from both a financial and operational perspective
• Significant experience of risk management in a food manufacturing environment or similar.
• Knowledge of compliance auditing and fraud investigation.
• Hands on experience of leading and working in audit, covering complex multi-site group preferably food manufacturing.
• High integrity, pragmatic and proactive to drive continuous improvement.
• Strong business acumen with ability to provide sound financial advice.
• Excellent ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships and influence effectively from local management to Board level.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and can balance the need for analysis and rigour with speed of action when solving problems.
• Confident and balanced when dealing with high pressure situations and managing conflict and standing along on issues.
• Excellent organisation, project management and ability to delegate work effectively.
• Works very well in a team environment and can influence others to the correct course of action.
• Stakeholder management - able to build broad relationships at all levels across the breadth of the business as well as working effectively with peer group and superiors, managing expectations and the team's workload.
• Demonstrated ability to make risk management and internal audit a value added, pragmatic business activity.
• Evidence of developing strong internal and external relationships across a broad range of stakeholders, including at board level.
• A strong background in enterprise risk management and track record of driving risk management improvements.
• Proven expertise in evaluating risks and designing controls.
• A self-starter able to develop key working relationships and influence people across all levels.
• Willingness to travel.

What's on Offer

• Private medical
• Life assurance
• Annual bonus
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.

If you believe you have the skills and background for this position, we strongly encourage you to apply. Don't miss this opportunity to join this leading high profile company based in Birmingham.

All 3 rd party applications will be referred to Lucy Williams at Michael Page.

Michael Page is part of the PageGroup. Michael Page is a trading name of Michael Page International Recruitment Limited. Registered in England No Registered Office: 200 Dashwood Lang Road, Bourne Business Park, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2NX