Lead Internal Auditor

We've been trusted to serve Aussie communities since 1914 and grown to become a top 30-listed on the ASX with over 115,000 team members and a portfolio of iconic brands. At Coles Group, you'll not only get to make a difference to millions of Aussie lives—you'll also get to see your impact.

Our Commercial team is a large, but a close-knit group of trading experts, who are ready to shape the future of Coles. We pride ourselves on the long-lasting supplier relationships we build, the new ideas we develop and how passionately we work to help Australian eat and live better every day. And the best part? We're all so different. We bring diversity of thought, backgrounds, and experience to every Business Unit across Coles Supermarkets and Liquor.

Reporting to the Own Brand Supplier Audit & Compliance Manager, as Lead Internal Auditor you will develop and mentor a team of food safety auditors covering over 500 sites annually.

*Note: Given the national locations of Coles Brand suppliers, this role will include regular travel. With 60% of your role being based at supplier sites.

You will also:

• Support the company's due diligence defence across all categories.
• Provide Quality and Technical support to business units.
• Continuously review and, where necessary, improve the quality and performance of suppliers across all categories.
• Collaborate with the cross functional category teams.
• Evolve the Own Brand site certification program to maintain 'best in class' approach
• Audit production sites, as well as coaching and advising suppliers to deliver great manufacturing standards.
• Instilling food safety culture and a continuous improvement mindset with suppliers and Coles technical team members
• Conduct shadow and witness audits to coach continuous development of Own Brand auditor capability.
• Review audit reports and corrective actions to ensure consistency and escalate when required.
• Developing safety, quality and innovation capability of Own Brand suppliers.

• Tertiary degree in Food Science and Technology.
• Lead Auditor Qualification
• HACCP certified
• Minimum ten years' experience in food or related industries, in quality assurance and/or supplier audit across several food industry areas.
• Strong understanding of food safety and HACCP principles.
• Confident team leadership experience – setting KPIs, managing, coaching and growing team members.
• Demonstrated safety competence in a range of specific product categories
• Proactive, firm but fair approach; willing to share knowledge to drive positive change.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident stakeholder management with the ability to build relationships and resolve conflict.
• Driver's licence and own transport.

• Flexible working options: We know that work is only one part of your life, so we actively encourage a positive work-life balance and provide hybrid working options to help you achieve it.
• Office perks: Take advantage of our gym facility and fitness classes, free parking, BBQ area, mini-Coles supermarket, fooderie hub where you can sample new products before they hit the shelves, school holiday program and so much more when you come in.
• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform 'mythanks'. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you'll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

We're continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We're happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the 'Our Recruitment Process' section of our careers site or email

Job ID: 160231

Employment Type: Full time