Internal Audit Director (IPO Readiness)

Job Overview

Lead the internal audit function within the detergent manufacturing industry, ensuring independent verification of financial, operational, and regulatory controls. Champion audit efforts in preparation for a planned public listing by enhancing governance frameworks, internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), and risk management practices aligned with regulatory standards set by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and Tadawul.

Key Duties

• Plan and conduct risk-based audits across manufacturing, procurement, finance, sales, and supply chain departments.
• Assess the effectiveness and design of internal controls, identifying weaknesses and areas for improvement.
• Generate detailed audit reports for management and Audit Committee, ensuring action plans are tracked through to resolution.
• Lead ICFR readiness activities including documentation, walkthroughs, and remediation in preparation for IPO.
• Help align governance, policies, and controls to match CMA Corporate Governance Regulations and Tadawul requirements.
• Coordinate due diligence and audit readiness with external auditors, IPO advisors, legal teams, and investment bankers.
• Support the formulation and testing of essential financial and operational controls for post-listing obligations and quarterly reporting.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the enterprise risk management (ERM) framework, including risk registers and control mappings.
• Evaluate compliance with regulatory bodies including SASO, SFDA, tax/zakat, labor, and environmental health and safety regulations.
• Assist with fraud risk reviews and investigations as necessary.
• Propose process enhancements across financial closing, procurement-to-pay, order-to-cash, and production/inventory cycles prioritizing sustainable control integration.
• Communicate audit results, ICFR status, and risk assessments to senior management and Audit Committee regularly.
• Maintain strong partnerships with plant management, finance teams, and external advisors to foster audit effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related discipline.
• Professional certification such as CIA (preferred), CPA, CA, or ACCA required or in progress.
• Additional certifications in risk management (CRMA) or IT audit (CISA) are advantageous.

Experience

• 8 to 12 years of internal or external auditing experience, with at least 3 years in managerial roles.
• Proven direct involvement in IPO-related activities, especially ICFR readiness and regulatory compliance aligned with CMA and Tadawul rules.
• Experience with Big 4 or top-tier auditing firms, or significant in-house audit exposure in manufacturing or industrial sectors preferred.
• Knowledge of Saudi Arabian regulatory frameworks including CMA regulations, Companies Law, Zakat, SASO, and SFDA.