A little bit about Lindt

We are a premium chocolate manufacturer established in 1845 operating in over 86 countries around the World. Guided by our Global purpose to Enchant the World with Chocolate and UK vision of Creating Moments to Make Everyone Feel Special, we have around 400 team members in the UK across our Head Office, Retail, and Field Sales divisions. We are a Top 20 Great Place to Work and are proud of our incredible people, our unique values-led culture and our iconic market leading brands such as LINDOR & GOLD BUNNY.

We’re also proud of being one of the few bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the world, where we control every step of our chocolate production.

How you could help us to Enchant the World with Chocolate

This role is accountable for designing, embedding and continuously improving a robust internal control, compliance and risk framework across the UK business.

Following recent 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 will lead internal controls across all areas including Retail (cash and inventory), own revenue recognition governance, and act as the market lead for compliance and LICS. The objective is not just control adherence, but to make 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

Beyond the specific responsibilities outlined, this role carries an overarching commitment to bring the Lindt values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration to life every day—leading by example and embedding these principles in how we work, how we partner, and how we deliver impact.

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, targeting 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

Internal Controls Ownership & Transformation

• Own and enhance the end-to-end internal control framework across the business
• Lead remediation of audit findings with pace, structure and clear accountability
• Design and implement scalable, fit-for-purpose controls across Finance, Retail and Commercial
• Ensure controls are practical, proportionate, and embedded into day-to-day operations

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 do not hinder but 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
• Act as LICs champion for the UK market: Own and lead the LICS framework, ensuring 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 in a timely way

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 Preferred

• 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

How you will be rewarded financially

For the position of Controls, Compliance & Risk Manager, the salary range is £60,000 - £70,000 and you will receive a benefits package including; bonus, pension, life cover, chocolate allowance; chocolate give-aways, chocolate discount, birthday day off and so much more!

Being yourself every day

We want everyone at Lindt feel safe to be themselves, ensuring they are empowered, represented, celebrated and included in our workplace. You’ll notice this throughout the recruitment process; in our ‘dress for your day’ policy and through our proactive DE&I strategy.

Living our values everyday

At Lindt UK, our values guide us in everything we do. Being Passionately Lindt, Always Evolving, Building Real Relationships, Acting Responsibly and Making An Impact are an integral part of life here at Lindt.

What you can expect from us

In return for everything that you’ll bring, we can offer you an exciting role in a fast-growing organisation, where we’ll provide an environment where you will thrive, feel supported and fulfil your career aspirations, all while supporting your physical and mental wellbeing.

Requirements