Global Internal Audit Head - Specialty Chemicals

About Company:

A listed specialty chemicals company that makes color pigments used in everyday products.

Job Description:Job Purpose:

To lead the global internal audit function by strengthening governance, risk management, internal controls, and compliance frameworks while ensuring effective audit execution, process improvement, and business risk mitigation across all business operations and geographies.

Responsibilities:Internal Audit & Risk Management:

• Develop and implement annual global internal audit plans based on risk assessment and business priorities.

• Lead operational, financial, compliance, and process audits across business units and locations.

• Evaluate effectiveness of internal controls, governance frameworks, and risk management practices.

• Identify process gaps, control weaknesses, and business risks, and recommend corrective actions.

• Monitor implementation and closure of audit observations and action plans.

Governance & Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with internal policies, SOPs, regulatory requirements, and statutory guidelines.

• Coordinate with leadership teams to strengthen governance and control mechanisms.

• Support Audit Committee and senior management with audit findings, risk insights, and compliance updates.

• Review fraud risk indicators and support investigation of critical control breaches where required.

• Ensure alignment of audit practices with global standards and organizational objectives.

Process Improvement & Business Controls:

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in audit methodology, controls, and compliance processes.

• Support automation and digitalization of audit processes and analytics.

• Evaluate operational efficiency, process effectiveness, and cost optimization opportunities.

• Recommend best practices to improve business controls and operational governance.

Stakeholder & Cross-functional Coordination:

• Collaborate with finance, operations, supply chain, HR, procurement, IT, and business teams for audit execution.

• Coordinate with statutory auditors, external consultants, and regulatory authorities when required.

• Present audit reports, risk assessments, and recommendations to senior leadership and audit committees.

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure effective audit governance.

Qualification:

• CA with 15 - 20 years of experience in Internal Audit, Risk Management, Governance, Compliance, and Financial Controls.

• Strong exposure to manufacturing/process industry, global operations, and enterprise risk management preferred.

Functional:

• Internal Audit & Risk Management

• Enterprise Risk Assessment

• Internal Financial Controls (IFC)

• Governance & Compliance Frameworks

• Operational & Process Audits

• Fraud Risk Management

• SOP & Control Framework Review

• Audit Analytics & Reporting

• ERP Systems (SAP / Oracle / Similar Platforms)

• Regulatory & Statutory Compliance

Technical Skills:

• Internal controls

• Risk Management

• Governance