What's Happening?
Driscoll's, a global leader in fresh berries, is actively recruiting a Senior Internal Auditor. This position is crucial for providing assurance and advisory audit support to Driscoll’s of The Americas (DOTA) business unit, which encompasses operations
in Canada, Mexico, Peru, and the U.S. The role involves serving as a trusted internal control advisor to the DOTA leadership team and leading internal audit services. Key responsibilities include promoting control consciousness and anti-fraud awareness, assessing risk and control maturity, and driving process improvements. The Senior Internal Auditor will also assist in developing an annual risk-based audit plan aligned with DOTA’s strategic initiatives and perform integrated audits to evaluate financial, operational, and IT general controls. The position requires managing all aspects of the audit lifecycle, from planning and execution to issue validation and reporting, with a focus on identifying control gaps and recommending improvements. The role can be based in Watsonville, California, or Guadalajara, Mexico, and requires up to 20% domestic and international travel.
Why It's Important?
This hiring initiative by Driscoll's underscores the company's commitment to strengthening its governance and control environment across its extensive North American operations. By investing in a Senior Internal Auditor, Driscoll's aims to enhance financial integrity, operational efficiency, and compliance within its DOTA business unit. This role is vital for safeguarding company assets, mitigating risks, and ensuring adherence to internal policies and external regulations in a complex international supply chain. The auditor's work will directly impact the company's ability to maintain consumer trust and operational stability in the highly competitive agricultural sector. Effective internal audit functions are critical for large, multinational corporations like Driscoll's to identify potential vulnerabilities, prevent fraud, and ensure that business processes are robust and efficient, ultimately contributing to sustained growth and profitability. The emphasis on both financial and IT controls also highlights the increasing importance of cybersecurity and data integrity in modern agricultural businesses.
What's Next?
The recruitment process for the Senior Internal Auditor position will continue, with Driscoll's seeking candidates who possess a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, along with at least five years of progressive audit or finance management experience. Fluency in English and Spanish is a key requirement, reflecting the international scope of the role. Once hired, the individual will be tasked with immediately contributing to the development and execution of the annual risk-based audit plan for the DOTA business unit. This will involve close collaboration with business leaders to implement audit recommendations and track the remediation of identified deficiencies. The new auditor will also be expected to manage co-source audit providers and undertake special projects, such as investigations and M&A due diligence, as needed. The ongoing focus will be on continuous improvement of audit processes and leveraging data analytics to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Beyond the Headlines
The creation of this Senior Internal Auditor role reflects a broader trend in global agricultural companies to fortify internal controls amidst increasing regulatory scrutiny and complex supply chains. For Driscoll's, a company with over a century of farming heritage and a vast network of independent growers, maintaining robust internal audit capabilities is not just about compliance but also about preserving its brand reputation for quality and trustworthiness. The role's emphasis on promoting anti-fraud awareness and assessing risk maturity points to a proactive approach in a sector that can be susceptible to various operational and financial risks. Furthermore, the requirement for proficiency in data analysis and embracing AI techniques for audit procedures signals a move towards modernizing audit practices, aligning with broader industry trends in leveraging technology for enhanced oversight and efficiency. This strategic investment in internal audit functions can serve as a model for other agricultural enterprises navigating similar challenges in a globalized market.
