Head of Internal Audit

We're proud to be part of STARK Building Materials UK and dedicated to providing top-quality products and exceptional service to our customers. We're a friendly and collaborative team, passionate about what we do and committed to doing it well.

We’re searching for a Head of Internal Audit, Risk and Assurance to join us. STARK Building Materials UK is creating a senior leadership role to strengthen its Internal Controls, Risk and Assurance capabilities while bringing together Compliance, Assurance and Stock Loss activities under a single integrated function. This is a unique opportunity to combine hands-on controls and risk leadership with the development of a newly consolidated team of c.14 colleagues supporting a c.500-branch network.

The immediate focus is to establish the credibility, structure and operating model of the function, strengthen relationships with stakeholders across Operations, Finance and Supply Chain, and create a clear framework for how assurance, compliance, stock loss and risk activities support the UK business. In parallel, the successful candidate will help strengthen the UK's control environment through process mapping, risk assessments, control improvement activities and effective use of Impero.

Over time, the role will shape the future direction of the function, creating an integrated approach to controls, assurance, compliance and risk management that provides UK leadership with greater visibility, stronger operational discipline and improved confidence in the management of financial and operational risk.

KEY SKILLS & EXPERINCE REQUIRED:

• Proven experience in Internal Audit, Internal Controls, Risk Management or Assurance within a complex multi-site or multi-functional environment
• Hands-on experience performing process reviews, process mapping, control evaluations and risk assessments across finance, operations and support functions.
• Strong ability to identify key risks and design practical, value-adding controls that balance assurance requirements with operational realities.
• Strong audit and assurance mindset, with the ability to focus effort on the areas of greatest risk and business impact and translate findings into practical business improvements.
• Strong systems and technology aptitude, including an ability to understand process flows, system controls, data availability and opportunities for automation and control optimisation.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead teams through change, and communicate clear risk, control and assurance insights to senior leadership.
• Professional qualification in Internal Audit, Risk, Accounting or a related discipline (CIA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE:

• Experience within distribution, wholesale, retail, logistics or other operationally intensive environments.
• Experience with stock management, inventory controls, loss prevention, fraud risk or investigations.
• Experience working with Governance, Risk & Compliance platforms such as Impero or similar solutions.
• Familiarity with COSO, SOX, ICFR or similar Internal Controls frameworks.
• Experience operating within a large international group structure with central governance and reporting requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as STARK UK's lead for Internal Controls & Risk, ensuring effective implementation, operation and continuous improvement of the UK control environment in alignment with STARK Group standards and governance requirements.
• Independently lead UK process and control mapping activities, translating Group control requirements into practical controls embedded within UK processes, systems and ways of working. Partner with business process owners to identify risks, evaluate control effectiveness and implement sustainable improvements.
• Own the UK Impero environment, including control configuration, maintenance, user support, issue management and ongoing administration. Support control owners with control design, setup, documentation, evidence requirements, submission processes and remediation activities.
• Provide actionable reporting to senior leadership, highlighting trends, root causes, emerging risks, ownership and recommended actions.
• Lead periodic risk assessments, control reviews and testing activities, ensuring controls remain appropriately designed, documented, executed and monitored. Provide risk and control insight to UK leadership and act as the primary interface with the Group Internal Controls & Risk function.
• Lead and develop the Branch Compliance and Assurance teams, creating a unified function with clear governance, responsibilities, reporting lines, service standards and ways of working.
• Design and implement a risk-based assurance and compliance programme across the UK branch network, providing independent oversight while supporting operational improvement and stronger compliance performance.
• Establish clear communication and engagement channels for branches, ensuring branch managers and operational teams understand how to seek support, elevate concerns and engage with the function.
• Drive behavioural and operational improvements through coaching, training, challenge and support of Regional Directors, Area Managers and Branch Managers. Use assurance activities and compliance insights to improve operational discipline, inventory management, stock accuracy and branch performance.
• Lead the Stock Loss and Investigations function, ensuring effective monitoring, reporting and escalation of stock loss trends across the business.
• Oversee investigation activities, red flag monitoring and root cause analysis, identifying both operational and control weaknesses contributing to stock loss, fraud risk or non-compliant activity.
• Ensure findings from investigations are translated into practical improvements to processes, controls, training and branch operations. Work closely with Finance, Operations, HR, Legal and business leadership to drive sustainable remediation.
• Maintain effective reporting and escalation processes for significant stock loss events, fraud indicators and recurring risk themes, ensuring appropriate visibility and action from management.

What’s in it for you?

• Hybrid Working – 4 days at our Binley, Coventry office and 1 day WFH.
• Discretionary bonus
• Retirement savings plan
• Life assurance
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave for anyone expecting or adopting a child
• A wide range of voluntary benefits including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare and more.
• Access to a wealth of health and wellbeing services including access to online GP appointments and mental health support.
• WorkPerks – A platform home to hundreds of all your favourite high street and online discounts via the provider Reward Gateway.

Why Choose Us?

Quality

We’re unwavering in our commitment to providing outstanding products and service that exceed our customers’ expectations.

Supportive Environment

Join a culture that prioritises your growth, with the resources and support you need to excel. We listen and learn – we know we haven’t always got all the answers – listening and learning with you is what helps provide the best service to our customers.

Professional Development

We are invested in your success! Can we add this instead? You have a real chance to progress- the only limits are your own Explore our apprenticeships, training, and mentoring programs designed to elevate your career.

Great Benefits

Enjoy a compelling package that includes a competitive salary, bonuses, pension schemes, and life assurance, among many other perks!

Work-Life Balance

We value your well-being and offer flexible working hours and a hybrid working model to help you find your ideal rhythm

What's Next

If your application is successful, our Talent team will reach out to arrange an interview and answer any questions you may have. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to ensure you can perform at your best throughout the application and interview process.

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