The Audit & Compliance Manager will lead and manage end-to-end internal audit, compliance, and risk control activities across retail store operations.

This role is responsible for ensuring adherence to company SOPs, statutory regulations, financial controls, inventory accuracy, and loss prevention measures across all assigned locations.

Key Responsibilities:

Store Audit & Compliance:

- Plan and execute periodic and surprise store audits across assigned locations.

- Ensure compliance with company SOPs, operational policies, brand standards, and statutory requirements.

- Audit store operations including billing processes, discounts, returns, cash handling, and visual merchandising standards.

- Monitor adherence to brand guidelines and customer service protocols.

Inventory & Shrinkage Control:

- Conduct inventory audits, cycle counts, and stock reconciliations.

- Identify stock variances, shrinkage, pilferage, damages, and operational gaps.

- Analyze shrinkage trends and recommend preventive and corrective actions.

- Partner with operations and merchandising teams to strengthen inventory controls.

Financial & Cash Audits:

- Review and audit daily cash reports, bank deposits, petty cash, and POS transactions.

- Validate sales reports, discounts, refunds, loyalty points, and gift vouchers.

- Ensure accuracy of GRNs, stock transfers, RTVs, and inter-store movements.

- Identify revenue leakage and control weaknesses.

Process Improvement & Risk Management:

- Identify process gaps, control weaknesses, and risk areas.

- Recommend and drive process improvements, SOP enhancements, and automation initiatives.

- Track implementation and closure of audit observations.

- Support loss prevention and fraud risk mitigation strategies.

Reporting & Documentation:

- Prepare detailed audit reports with observations, root-cause analysis, risk assessment, and actionable recommendations.

- Present audit findings to senior management and key stakeholders.

- Maintain audit documentation, compliance trackers, and follow-up reports.

Stakeholder Coordination & Investigations:

- Coordinate with store managers, operations, finance, supply chain, and merchandising teams.

- Lead or support investigations related to fraud, theft, policy violations, or misconduct.

- Support internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance inspections.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Strong understanding of retail operations, store processes, and compliance frameworks.

- Deep knowledge of inventory management, POS systems, and cash controls.

- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills.

- Strong communication, presentation, and report-writing abilities.

- High level of integrity, objectivity, and confidentiality.

- Ability to work independently in a high-travel, multi-location environment