SENIOR CORPORATE AUDIT SPECIALIST

Woolworths; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Cape Town seeks a Senior Audit Specialist to execute risk-based internal audits across corporate functions. The role emphasizes enhancing governance and risk management, focusing on audits in Supply Chain, Product, Finance, HR, IT, Legal, Procurement, and Compliance. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, experience in retail operations, and hold relevant academic qualifications. This position offers a strategic role with significant impact on business operations.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of audit experience with focus on supply chain or retail.
• Strong knowledge of retail supply chain processes.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk-based internal audits across corporate functions.
• Present findings to management and draft clear audit reports.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to understand processes and risks.

Skills

Audit Planning

Risk Management

Data Analysis

Report Writing

Stakeholder Engagement

Analytical Thinking

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related field

Professional certification (CIA, CA(SA), etc.)

Postgraduate diploma in internal auditing or risk management

Tools

Audit software (TeamMate, ACL, IDEA)

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)

Job description

The Senior Audit Specialist plays a key role in executing risk-based internal audits across corporate functions, supporting the assurance agenda, and providing value-adding insights to enhance governance, risk management, and internal controls. The role focuses on complex audits in areas such as Supply Chain, Product, Finance, HR, IT, Legal, Procurement, and Compliance, in alignment with the retail group’s strategic objectives.

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.

· 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.