Overview
A Little Bit About Lindt: we are a premium chocolate manufacturer established in 1845 operating in over 86 countries. This role designs, embeds and continuously improves a robust internal control, compliance and risk framework across the UK business. Following audit findings, this is a critical leadership role responsible for stabilising the control environment, elevating standards, and building a proactive, business-integrated approach to risk and compliance. The role leads internal controls across Retail (cash and inventory), revenue recognition governance, and acts as the market lead for compliance and LICS, with the objective of making controls understood, effective, and operationally embedded.
Where you’ll be based: This role is based in our Head Office in Richmond Upon Thames with hybrid working (in the office 60% and WFH 40%).
Key Responsibilities
- Internal Controls Ownership & Transformation
- Own and enhance the end-to-end internal control framework across the business
- Lead remediation of audit findings (40+ high / 20+ low) with pace, structure and clear accountability
- Design and implement scalable, fit-for-purpose controls across Finance, Retail and Commercial functions
- Ensure controls are practical, proportionate, and embedded into day-to-day operations
- Audit Leadership (Internal & External)
- Act as primary point of contact for internal and external audit
- Lead audit planning, execution and follow-up actions
- Drive a step-change in audit outcomes, aiming for sustainable elimination of repeat findings
- Provide clear visibility of control status and risk exposure to senior leadership
- Influence senior stakeholders to take ownership of risks and controls
- Revenue Recognition Governance
- Take ownership of revenue recognition policy, governance and controls
- Transition responsibility from Commercial Finance into a controlled, independent framework
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards and consistency across all revenue streams
- Partner with Commercial teams to ensure controls strengthen decision-making
- Retail Controls & Loss Prevention
- Own the control environment across Retail, including cash handling, stock management and shrinkage
- Lead loss prevention strategy and initiatives
- Identify systemic risks and implement preventative controls, not just detective ones
- Work closely with Retail Operations to embed accountability and discipline
- Compliance & LICS Leadership
- Act as Compliance Champion for the UK market
- Own and lead the LICS framework for the UK market: ensure full compliance and timely certification
- Drive awareness and understanding of compliance requirements across the organisation
- Ensure regulatory and internal policy adherence is consistently maintained
- Escalate compliance and LICs issues to Head of Financial Control and CFO promptly
- Process & Controls Documentation
- Lead documentation of key processes and controls across the business
- Ensure robust control design for new systems (e.g. TPM implementation), including pre- and post-go-live assurance
- Standardise documentation and ensure it remains live and relevant
- Build a sustainable framework, not a one-off exercise
- Risk Management & Culture
- Embed a proactive risk management mindset across the business
- Move the organisation from reactive audit response to forward-looking risk identification
- Develop and deliver training and communication to make controls “live and breathing”
- Influence senior stakeholders to take ownership of risks and controls
- Team Leadership
- Build, lead and develop a high-performing controls and compliance team (up to 3)
- Set clear expectations, priorities and delivery standards
- Create a culture of accountability, pace and continuous improvement
Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA / CA or equivalent)
- Strong background in audit, internal controls, or risk (Big 4 or equivalent highly desirable)
- Proven experience of improving or building control frameworks in a commercial environment
- Demonstrated ownership of audit processes and remediation programmes
- Strong understanding of revenue recognition and financial control principles
- Experience managing and developing teams
- Experience in FMCG and/or Retail environments (cash & inventory exposure) would be hugely beneficial
- Experience implementing or enhancing compliance frameworks (e.g. SOX, LICS or equivalent) would be an advantage
- Ideally experience supporting or controlling system implementations (e.g. TPM or ERP)
- Builder mindset – creates structure where little exists, not reliant on legacy frameworks
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range is £60,000 – £70,000 with a benefits package including bonus, pension, life cover, chocolate allowances and discounts, birthday day off, and other wellbeing initiatives.
Equal Opportunity
Being yourself every day: Lindt is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be safe to be themselves, feel empowered, represented and valued.
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