SENIOR CORPORATE AUDIT SPECIALIST
Position summary
Introduction
Job description
1) Audit Planning and Execution
· Contribute to the development of the Internal Audit strategic plan by providing input on key risk areas, emerging issues, and business insights relevant to the audit universe.
· Conduct risk-based audits across corporate departments in line with the annual audit plan.
· Develop audit scopes, objectives, and programs aligned to strategic, operational, and regulatory risks.
· Perform end-to-end audit fieldwork, including control testing, data analysis, and evidence evaluation.
· Apply critical thinking and structured problem-solving techniques to perform thorough root cause analysis thereby identifying systemic, process, or control failures contributing to risks or deficiencies
· Ensure audits are delivered efficiently,
· on time, and within quality standards.
· Apply agile principles and methodologies in planning, executing, and reporting audit engagements to enhance responsiveness, collaboration, and value delivery.
2) Reporting and Communication
· Draft clear, concise, and insightful audit reports with practical recommendations.
· Present findings to auditees and management and engage in constructive discussions to resolve issues.
· Track agreed management actions to closure and perform follow-up audits as necessary.
3) Stakeholder Engagement
· Build strong working relationships with key business stakeholders to understand business processes, risks, and changes.
· Provide advisory input during business initiatives or projects, where appropriate, without compromising independence.
· Maintain regular communication with other internal and external assurance providers including GRC and External Audit
4) Risk and Control Insight
· Stay informed about emerging risks and trends in corporate governance, retail operations, and technology.
· Identify opportunities to enhance risk management and operational efficiency across functions.
· Contribute to thematic reviews or special assignments as required.
5) Quality and Continuous Improvement
· Ensure adherence to Internal Audit methodology, standards (e.g. IIA Standards), and group policies.
· Provide insights and recommendations to improve supply chain performance, reduce cost inefficiencies, and enhance control environment.
· Participate in peer reviews and contribute to quality assurance initiatives.
· Contribute to the continuous improvement of audit methodology, tools, and data analytics capabilities.
· Recommend process improvements to enhance audit efficiency and business value.
· Keep abreast of developments in supply chain management, auditing standards, and retail industry best practices.
Minimum requirements
· Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Internal Audit, Finance, or a related field.
· Professional certification preferred (e.g. CIA, CA(SA), CSCP).
· Postgraduate diploma in internal auditing or risk management is advantageous.
· 5–7 years of internal or external audit experience, with at least 2–3 years focusing on supply chain or retail operations.
· Experience in auditing head office functions (e.g., logistics, warehousing, inventory management, finance, HR, procurement, legal, IT).
· Strong knowledge of supply chain processes in a retail environment.
· Experience using audit software (e.g. TeamMate, ACL, IDEA, or data analytics tools) preferred.
· Demonstrated experience working with major ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or equivalent platforms.
Prior exposure to retail operations and enterprise risk management frameworks is a plus
· Technical Expertise: Strong knowledge of corporate governance, internal controls, financial reporting, procurement, and/or compliance frameworks.
· Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse large data sets, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions.
· Risk & Control Mindset: Understand control design, effectiveness, and risk exposure in a dynamic supply chain.
· Collaboration: Ability to work well in cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder relationships.
· Commercial Acumen: Understand the retail business model and the strategic importance of supply chain efficiency.
· Communication: Excellent report writing and verbal communication skills tailored to various audiences.
· Stakeholder Management: Ability to build trust and influence across different levels of the business.
· Professional Judgement: Applies sound judgment in assessing risks and formulating recommendations.
· Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving retail environment.
