Internal Audit Capability Lead-Stores

Woolworths Group; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sonder wellbeing support

Generous leave policy

Team discounts

Salary sacrifice

Rewards program

Belonging culture

Job summary

Woolworths Group is seeking a Capability Lead - Stores to drive quality assurance and strategic audits across Australia and New Zealand. You will lead a high-performing audit team, deliver insightful reporting to executives, and advance the use of innovative tools to uplift control environments.

With 5+ years in internal auditing within a large retail or FMCG setting, you will influence senior stakeholders and foster continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in auditing within a large retail or FMCG environment.
• Strong knowledge of retail operational controls and professional internal audit standards (IPPF/IIA).
• Proven leadership with coaching, performance management and developing teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for executive-level reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement, quality assurance and execution of Material Risk store audit reviews across the network (over 1,200 stores/DCs).
• Deliver high-quality reporting and quarterly updates to Executive teams and Board committees highlighting risks and control insights.
• Champion adoption of innovative tools and technologies, including AI testing of controls and automated audit systems.
• Build collaborative relationships with senior operational stakeholders to influence remediation and strengthen controls.
• Lead, coach and mentor a team of seven Internal Auditors focused on capability building and development.
• Oversee the Group-wide DC site audit program in partnership with Primary Connect and risk teams.

Skills

Auditing

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

Tools

Audit automation

Job description

We are Woolworths Group. 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’ It’s that Purpose that fuels our ambition to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovatebetter ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week.

If you’re excited to turn today’s blue sky thinking into a better tomorrow for future generations, you’ll find yourself supported and enriched in a dynamic, inclusive and empowering workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. With a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and opportunities across the group to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

Capability Lead - Stores

Are you a forward-thinking audit leader ready to drive quality, innovation, and strategic assurance across an iconic retail ecosystem? In this dynamic role, you will lead a high-performing team of auditors to evaluate and uplift key operational controls across a network of over 1,200 stores and distribution centres in Australia and New Zealand. If you are passionate about challenging the status quo, leveraging modern audit technologies, and collaborating with senior stakeholders to deliver high-impact insights, this is your opportunity to shape the future of our Store Audit function.

Location: Open to Sydney, Queensland, or Melbourne

What you'll do:

• Lead and execute the continuous improvement, quality assurance, and execution of Material Risk store audit reviews across the Woolworths Group network (over 1,200 retail stores and DCs).

• Deliver high-quality, insightful reporting and quarterly updates to Executive teams and Board committees, highlighting key thematic risks and control insights.

• Support strategic uplift initiatives by driving the adoption of innovative tools and technologies, including AI testing of controls and automated audit systems.

• Build and maintain collaborative, trusted relationships with senior operational stakeholders to influence effective remediation and strengthen the overall control environment.

• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of seven Internal Auditors, fostering a supportive, purpose-driven culture focused on capability building and continuous development.

• Oversee and enhance the Group-wide Distribution Centre (DC) site audit program in close partnership with Primary Connect and operational risk teams.

What you'll bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline alongside a minimum of 5 years’ experience in auditing, preferably within a large, complex retail or FMCG environment.

• Deep knowledge of retail operational controls, business risk management techniques, and professional internal audit standards (IPPF/IIA).

• Strong leadership capabilities with a proven track record of coaching, managing performance, and developing high-performing audit teams.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex topics and deliver engaging executive-level reports.

• Outstanding commercial acumen and critical thinking skills, enabling you to deal with ambiguity, apply constructive challenge, and deliver risk-based solutions.

• A forward-thinking, curious mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and leveraging audit automation technologies.

What you’ll experience

• Access to Sonder. Sonder provides free confidential24/7 personalised financial, medical safety, psychological or physical support for team members and their families
• A progressive and competitive leave policy that gives you more space for what matters to you
• Team discounts across our range of WoolworthsGroup brands you know and love and a robust rewards program that celebrates and incentivises purpose-driven work
• Opportunity to Salary Sacrifice, enabling team members to purchase selected eligible items or services from pre-taxsalary. Can be used for novated leases, superannuation contributions, Qantas Club membership, computing devices etc.
• Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group

Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems. As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.