Manager (m/f/d) Internal Controls - Business

BIRKENSTOCK is a global brand which embraces all consumers regardless of geography, gender, age and income. The company is deeply footed on a family tradition of shoemaking that can be traced back to 1774. With around 7100 employees worldwide, BIRKENSTOCK is the largest employer in the German footwear industry. To ensure our quality standards, we produce over 95% of our products in Germany and source more than 90% of our materials and components from Europe. The BIRKENSTOCK Group is headquartered in Linz am Rhein and maintains several locations in Germany, as well as sales offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

YOUR TASKS:

- Risk Assessment & Control Design: As Internal Controls professional, you take ownership of risk assessments and control design across assigned business processes, ensuring that key financial reporting risks are identified and adequately addressed.
- Business Process Reviews: Furthermore, you assess end-to-end business processes, evaluate existing controls, identify gaps, and develop practical, risk-based solutions without introducing unnecessary complexity.
- SOX Testing: You plan, execute, and document Testing of Design and Testing of Operating Effectiveness independently, including the assessment of supporting evidence, IPE, and testing exceptions.
- Issue & Remediation Management: Identify and assess control deficiencies, document issues in AuditBoard, agree remediation actions with responsible stakeholders, and monitor their implementation and effectiveness is also part of your responsibility.
- Auditor Management: You engage with external auditors, critically assess audit findings and recommendations, and develop well-founded, risk-based responses independently.
- Stakeholder Management: Building effective relationships with Process Owners and other stakeholders, providing guidance on internal controls and driving agreed improvements comes easily to you.
- Continuous Improvement: Furthermore, you identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate controls while maintaining appropriate risk coverage.
- Professional Leadership: Last but not least you provide technical guidance and coaching to colleagues, share expertise, and independently drive assigned initiatives, escalating significant matters when necessary.

YOUR PROFILE:

- University degree in Finance, Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration, or a comparable field.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in SOX, internal controls, or external audit, preferably in an international environment or Big Four firm.
- Strong hands-on SOX / ICFR expertise, including risk assessment, control design, ToD, ToE, IPE, and deficiency evaluation.
- Solid understanding of end-to-end business processes, particularly Order-to-Cash, Purchase-to-Pay, Accounting-to-Reporting, Inventory, and Fixed Assets, including their key risks and controls.
- Professional certifications (CIA, CPA, ACCA, CISA) and experience with GRC tools such as AuditBoard are an advantage.
- Good knowledge of SAP and its role in business processes and internal controls.
- Excellent English communication skills; German language skills are an advantage.
- Strong risk-based thinking and professional judgment, with the ability to independently identify control gaps, challenge existing practices, and develop pragmatic solutions.
- Proven ability to take ownership of complex topics, engage confidently with business stakeholders and external auditors, and drive matters to resolution.

WE OFFER:

BIRKENSTOCK offers you all the advantages of a successful, fast growing, global company: dynamic work environment, considerable design freedom, authentic and open corporate culture and excellent development opportunities. Sounds exciting? It is. We are looking forward to receiving your online application, stating your salary expectations!