Head of Audit, Risk and Projects

W&R Barnett Ltd is a diverse Group of international commodity trading, storage, agribusiness and industrial companies. It is Northern Ireland’s largest family and owner-managed business with a turnover of £1.57bn and ownership or significant shareholding across 50 trading subsidiaries. A fourth-generation family business, the Group has grown from its origins as a grain merchant and expanded its operations to include dry bulk commodities, derivatives, molasses, oils, feed mills, corrugated packaging, laboratory testing and storage.

The Head of Audit, Risk and Projects is a newly created role, designed to evaluate the effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal control arrangements throughout the Group, along with work on ad hoc projects across the Group as required.

The successful candidate will develop an effective risk analysis system along with an internal audit strategy. They will devise an audit programme to cover financial, organisational and functional areas ranging from routine subsidiary financial control standard reviews through to high level operational reviews (i.e. procurement practices, supply chain security, cyber control compliance, working capital management, health & safety management etc). They will present clear and concise findings to the Group Chief Executive, Group Finance Director and Group Board including identification of practical recommendations and solutions.

The role holder will also support acquisition and business development-based activities including potential target research, due diligence support and post-acquisition integration. They will conduct divisional financial reviews on areas such as working capital, capital expenditure project evaluation and net debt facilities.

This is a high profile senior finance appointment in the Group and candidates should possess the following experience:

• ACA qualified.
• Previous audit experience at minimum Manager level, or equivalent grade.
• Large company audit experience, trained in modern audit methodologies (including IT audit).
• Strong track record in business partnering and working collaboratively with senior management colleagues.
• Evidence of managing projects from concept to completion, prioritising deadlines and effectively delegating tasks.
• Willingness to travel throughout UK and Ireland.
• Previous work experience in a manufacturing or similar industrial setting would be desirable but is not essential.

For further information please contact Ruth McDonald at Narratology in confidence.