Internal Audit Manager - Operations - Manufacturing

Role Overview:

We are looking for an experienced professional to lead operational audits and risk assessments across a global industrial business. The role will focus on evaluating operational processes, identifying risks and control gaps, and driving improvements in efficiency, compliance, and business performance.

Professionals with strong hands-on experience in manufacturing, plant operations, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, or operational excellence are encouraged to apply. Prior internal audit experience is an advantage, but candidates with substantial operational experience and a strong understanding of risk, controls, and process improvement will also be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead operational audits and risk assessments across manufacturing, production, maintenance, inventory, logistics, quality, energy, and EHS functions.

- Evaluate operational processes, internal controls, risk management practices, and compliance with established policies and procedures.

- Identify control weaknesses, process inefficiencies, potential fraud risks, and opportunities for operational improvement.

- Conduct process reviews, root-cause analysis, and investigations, and recommend practical corrective and preventive actions.

- Assess the effectiveness of operational controls, including ERP systems, automation, inventory management, and maintenance processes.

- Partner with plant leadership, engineering teams, and cross-functional stakeholders to strengthen controls and improve operational performance.

- Monitor agreed action plans and ensure timely closure of audit findings and identified risks.

- Prepare clear, evidence-based audit reports and present findings, recommendations, and risk implications to senior management.

- Contribute to the continuous improvement of audit methodologies, risk assessment practices, and operational control frameworks.

- Collaborate with stakeholders across international locations and support audits spanning multiple regions.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

- 7+ years of relevant experience across operations, engineering, manufacturing, internal audit, or operational risk and controls.

- Strong practical understanding of industrial or manufacturing environments, preferably involving production, maintenance, supply chain, process engineering, or operational excellence.

- Demonstrated ability to identify operational risks, assess process effectiveness, investigate issues, and recommend sustainable improvements.

- Experience in internal audits, operational audits, process audits, risk assessments, or control reviews is desirable.

- Understanding of operational systems, ERP environments such as SAP, and related business processes is an advantage.

- Experience in industrial sectors such as chemicals, minerals, mining, fertilizers, engineering, or manufacturing will be preferred.

- Strong analytical, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and report-writing skills.

- Ability to communicate audit findings and recommendations clearly in English, including to senior management.

- Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

We welcome applications from two backgrounds:

- 1. Operations and Engineering Professionals: Candidates with substantial plant, manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, or operational excellence experience who can demonstrate strong risk awareness, process evaluation, and continuous improvement capabilities.

- 2. Operational Audit Professionals: Candidates with internal or operational audit experience combined with meaningful exposure to manufacturing, engineering, or industrial operations.