Senior Internal Auditor

Job Description:

The Senior Internal Auditor will play a key role in ensuring operational excellence and compliance across the restaurant network. The mission of the role is to assess the effectiveness of operational processes and internal controls, identify risks and improvement opportunities, and support the business in maintaining the highest standards of governance, compliance, and operational execution. Working closely with restaurant management and cross-functional teams, this individual will help drive consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement within a fast-growing international restaurant environment. This role requires frequent travelling across Italy to audit the restaurants (company car provided).

Responsibilities:

- Plan and execute regular operational audits across restaurants, assessing adherence to corporate policies, procedures, and operational standards.
- Conduct periodic on-site visits to restaurants throughout Italy to evaluate compliance with internal protocols and identify operational gaps.
- Review the effectiveness of existing internal controls and operational processes, recommending improvements where necessary.
- Identify, assess, and monitor risks associated with restaurant operations and existing control frameworks.
- Ensure that mandatory procedures, policies, and operational guidelines are consistently implemented across the business.
- Follow up on corrective action plans established by restaurant teams to address audit findings and mitigate identified non-conformities.
- Analyse operational information and reporting systems to support audit activities and enhance data reliability.
- Review restaurant performance indicators and transactional information to identify operational losses, irregularities, or potential control weaknesses.
- Consolidate audit results and prepare monthly reports and presentations for management committees, highlighting key findings, trends, and recommendations.
- Support the implementation of sustainability initiatives by monitoring environmental and social practices within the supply chain and restaurant operations.
- Contribute to the adaptation of corporate policies in response to evolving regulatory requirements and business needs, with a focus on corporate governance and compliance.
- Collaborate with operational stakeholders to promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability throughout the organisation.
- Provide guidance and recommendations to restaurant management teams to strengthen operational discipline and execution standards.

Requirements:

Education & Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Food Science, or a related field.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in Internal Audit, Operational Audit, Compliance, or similar roles with strong exposure to multi-site operations.
- Previous experience within the restaurant, food service, hospitality, or quick service restaurant (QSR) sector is essential.
- Proven experience conducting on-site audits and evaluating operational compliance across geographically dispersed locations.
- Experience in reviewing operational processes, procedures, and internal controls in a fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of food safety standards and regulations would be considered a strong advantage.
- Proficient level of Italian (C2)
- Pre-advanced level of English (B2+)
- Availability and willingness to travel extensively within Italy (company car provided).

Key Competencies
- Strong organisational and planning skills.
- High level of autonomy and accountability.
- Proactive mindset with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
- Dynamic and adaptable professional, comfortable operating in rapidly evolving environments.
- Strong drive and execution capability, with the ability to challenge the status quo constructively.
- Excellent analytical and observational skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Integrity, sound judgement, and commitment to maintaining high ethical standards.
- Ability to influence operational teams and drive corrective actions through collaboration rather than authority.

Company Description:

Our client is an international restaurant group experiencing significant expansion in the Italian market, leading the growth of one of the world's most recognised American quick service restaurant brands. With ambitious development plans and a strong commitment to operational excellence, the organisation offers an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, fast-paced environment where individuals can make a tangible impact on business performance and contribute to shaping the future of the brand's operations in Italy.