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
1. Own and enhance the end-to-end internal control framework across the business
2. Lead remediation of audit findings (40+ high / 20+ low) with pace, structure and clear accountability
3. Design and implement scalable, fit-for-purpose controls across Finance, Retail and Commercial functions
4. Ensure controls are practical, proportionate, and embedded into day-to-day operations
Audit Leadership (Internal & External)
5. Act as primary point of contact for internal and external audit
6. Lead audit planning, execution and follow-up actions
7. Drive a step-change in audit outcomes, targeting sustainable elimination of repeat findings
8. Provide clear visibility of control status and risk exposure to senior leadership
9. Influence senior stakeholders to take ownership of risks and controls
Internal Controls Ownership & Transformation
10. Own and enhance the end-to-end internal control framework across the business
11. Lead remediation of audit findings with pace, structure and clear accountability
12. Design and implement scalable, fit-for-purpose controls across Finance, Retail and Commercial
13. Ensure controls are practical, proportionate, and embedded into day-to-day operations
Revenue Recognition Governance
14. Take ownership of revenue recognition policy, governance and controls
15. Transition responsibility from Commercial Finance into a controlled, independent framework
16. Ensure compliance with accounting standards and consistency across all revenue streams
17. Partner with Commercial teams to ensure controls do not hinder but strengthen decision-making
Retail Controls & Loss Prevention
18. Own the control environment across Retail, including cash handling, stock management and shrinkage
19. Lead loss prevention strategy and initiatives
20. Identify systemic risks and implement preventative controls, not just detective ones
21. Work closely with Retail Operations to embed accountability and discipline
Compliance & LICS Leadership
22. Act as Compliance Champion for the UK market
23. Act as LICs champion for the UK market: Own and lead the LICS framework, ensuring full compliance and timely certification
24. Drive awareness and understanding of compliance requirements across the organisation
25. Ensure regulatory and internal policy adherence is consistently maintained
26. Escalate compliance and LICs issues to Head of financial Control and CFO in a timely way
Process & Controls Documentation
27. Lead documentation of key processes and controls across the business
28. Ensure robust control design for new systems (e.g. TPM implementation), including pre- and post-go-live assurance
29. Standardise documentation and ensure it remains live and relevant
30. Build a sustainable framework, not a one-off exercise
Risk Management & Culture
31. Embed a proactive risk management mindset across the business
32. Move the organisation from reactive audit response to forward-looking risk identification
33. Develop and deliver training and communication to make controls “live and breathing”
34. Influence senior stakeholders to take ownership of risks and controls
Team Leadership
35. Build, lead and develop a high-performing controls and compliance team (up to 3)
36. Set clear expectations, priorities and delivery standards
37. Create a culture of accountability, pace and continuous improvement
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Preferred
38. Qualified accountant (ACA / CA or equivalent)
39. Strong background in audit, internal controls, or risk (Big 4 or equivalent highly desirable)
40. Proven experience of improving or building control frameworks in a commercial environment
41. Demonstrated ownership of audit processes and remediation programmes
42. Strong understanding of revenue recognition and financial control principles
43. Experience managing and developing teams
44. Experience in FMCG and/or Retail environments (cash & inventory exposure) would be hugely beneficial
45. Experience implementing or enhancing compliance frameworks (e.g. SOX, LICS or equivalent) would be an advantage
46. Ideally experience supporting or controlling system implementations (e.g. TPM or ERP)
47. 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