The Fruitist Company
Overview
We are seeking an experienced
Internal Audit Manager/Senior Manager
to join our growing team in
Los Angeles . This role is pivotal in driving SOX readiness and compliance activities, with responsibilities expanding to internal audits, advisory engagements, and consulting projects to support corporate and US subsidiaries as the function matures. This is currently an individual contributor role with significant exposure to senior management and will play a critical part in building a scalable, global internal audit framework.
Please note: This is a hybrid role based at our Century City, CA HQ — join us in the office a few days a week and enjoy flexibility/WFH the rest of week. What You’ll Do
SOX Readiness & Compliance Enhance and monitor the internal control environment to identify, assess, and mitigate risks proactively. Lead the design, documentation, and implementation of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) across the company’s US corporate, commercial, and farm entities. Partner with Finance, IT, and Operations teams to remediate control deficiencies. Support SOX project management activities, including gap assessments, control testing, and readiness reporting. Provide training and guidance to control owners on SOX requirements and control execution. Collaborate with process and control owners to validate the effectiveness of controls aligned with COSO and SOX 404 requirements. Support external audits by promptly addressing requests, delivering required documentation, and ensuring effective communication. Internal Audit & Advisory Contribute to the development of the audit methodology, risk assessment process, and audit plan. Plan and execute risk-based internal audits across financial, operational, and compliance areas. Deliver value-added advisory and consulting services to improve governance, controls, risk management, and operational efficiencies. Develop audit reports and communicate audit findings, risks, and recommendations clearly and effectively to senior management and key stakeholders. Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to internal controls, audit methodologies, and compliance processes. Lead or participate in various ad hoc projects related to risk, compliance, and control enhancements. Collaborate with and support Legal on policy, regulatory, and enterprise risk management (ERM) reviews, as well as investigations, as needed. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and global subsidiaries to standardize and strengthen internal control practices. What You’ll Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA or CIA designation preferred. Ideal candidate will have a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in internal audit, public accounting, or related field, with demonstrated SOX compliance expertise at a publicly traded company. Strong knowledge of US GAAP, SOX 404, ICFR, and internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO). Prior experience with IPO readiness or SOX implementations preferred. Exposure to agriculture, consumer products, or global operations is a plus. Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization. Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and work independently. High integrity and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion. Proficiency in implementing and optimizing GRC systems, such as Workiva, AuditBoard, or similar platforms. Experience with financial systems such as SAP B1, OneStream, Trullion, or similar SaaS applications. Able to travel monthly - globally. Why Join Us?
Opportunity to shape and grow a global Internal Audit function from the ground up. High visibility role with exposure to executive management. Strategic role influencing key business decisions and driving risk management and compliance improvements. Mix of SOX compliance, risk management, and consulting projects that evolve with company growth. Collaborative culture and mission-driven organization with global impact. What to Expect in Your First 90 Days
Weeks 0–4 -
Build relationships with senior leaders and process owners, understand business operations (corporate, commercial, and farm entities), review existing SOX documentation and risk assessments, and evaluate current systems and control environment maturity. Weeks 5–8 -
Develop a SOX project plan, deliver training to control owners, initiate process walkthroughs and documentation, conduct SOX gap analysis, and outline a risk-based internal audit plan. Begin identifying opportunities for advisory and quick-win process improvements. Weeks 9–12 -
Launch SOX control testing and remediation activities, provide readiness reporting to stakeholders, refine audit methodology, and establish frameworks for scaling the global internal audit and SOX program. Your 12-Month Success Metrics
SOX Readiness:
Design effectiveness validated for 100% in-scope processes; operating-effectiveness pass rate ≥90% on initial testing; effective remediation of any material weaknesses and significant deficiencies; ≥95% on-time remediation for noted control deficiencies. Internal Audit Execution:
Deliver the first annual risk-based internal audit plan; complete 1-3 audits/advisory projects within an average audit cycle time ≤8-12 weeks from kickoff to final report; ≥85-75% of timely remediation of audit observations/issues implemented within 90 days of report issuance. GRC System Optimization:
Configure and operationalize the SOX module in Workiva to manage documentation, testing, issue tracking, and reporting, with ≥90% adoption by global Internal Audit team members and timely completion of assigned tasks. Framework & Scalability:
Establish and roll out standardized audit methodology, reporting, and control frameworks, with adoption by ≥90% of regional Internal Audit teams, ensuring consistent documentation, issue tracking, and reporting practices globally. Data, Systems & Automation:
Implement and optimize IT SOX controls and related automation across key financial systems, achieving ≥75% automated control coverage, ensuring 100% of system access and configurations are completed, and reducing manual testing effort by 20%. Governance & Culture:
Quarterly Audit Committee reporting packs on time with detailed analysis and metrics; 100% control owners training and attestation; partner with Legal to implement a whistleblower hotline with cases triaged within SLA and closure rate ≥90% inside 60 days. Stakeholder Engagement:
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with department leaders and external auditors, ensuring ≥90% of audit requests are addressed through internal testing and achieving documented positive feedback from senior stakeholders on responsiveness and collaborative problem-solving.
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We are seeking an experienced
Internal Audit Manager/Senior Manager
to join our growing team in
Los Angeles . This role is pivotal in driving SOX readiness and compliance activities, with responsibilities expanding to internal audits, advisory engagements, and consulting projects to support corporate and US subsidiaries as the function matures. This is currently an individual contributor role with significant exposure to senior management and will play a critical part in building a scalable, global internal audit framework.
Please note: This is a hybrid role based at our Century City, CA HQ — join us in the office a few days a week and enjoy flexibility/WFH the rest of week. What You’ll Do
SOX Readiness & Compliance Enhance and monitor the internal control environment to identify, assess, and mitigate risks proactively. Lead the design, documentation, and implementation of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) across the company’s US corporate, commercial, and farm entities. Partner with Finance, IT, and Operations teams to remediate control deficiencies. Support SOX project management activities, including gap assessments, control testing, and readiness reporting. Provide training and guidance to control owners on SOX requirements and control execution. Collaborate with process and control owners to validate the effectiveness of controls aligned with COSO and SOX 404 requirements. Support external audits by promptly addressing requests, delivering required documentation, and ensuring effective communication. Internal Audit & Advisory Contribute to the development of the audit methodology, risk assessment process, and audit plan. Plan and execute risk-based internal audits across financial, operational, and compliance areas. Deliver value-added advisory and consulting services to improve governance, controls, risk management, and operational efficiencies. Develop audit reports and communicate audit findings, risks, and recommendations clearly and effectively to senior management and key stakeholders. Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to internal controls, audit methodologies, and compliance processes. Lead or participate in various ad hoc projects related to risk, compliance, and control enhancements. Collaborate with and support Legal on policy, regulatory, and enterprise risk management (ERM) reviews, as well as investigations, as needed. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and global subsidiaries to standardize and strengthen internal control practices. What You’ll Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA or CIA designation preferred. Ideal candidate will have a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in internal audit, public accounting, or related field, with demonstrated SOX compliance expertise at a publicly traded company. Strong knowledge of US GAAP, SOX 404, ICFR, and internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO). Prior experience with IPO readiness or SOX implementations preferred. Exposure to agriculture, consumer products, or global operations is a plus. Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization. Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and work independently. High integrity and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion. Proficiency in implementing and optimizing GRC systems, such as Workiva, AuditBoard, or similar platforms. Experience with financial systems such as SAP B1, OneStream, Trullion, or similar SaaS applications. Able to travel monthly - globally. Why Join Us?
Opportunity to shape and grow a global Internal Audit function from the ground up. High visibility role with exposure to executive management. Strategic role influencing key business decisions and driving risk management and compliance improvements. Mix of SOX compliance, risk management, and consulting projects that evolve with company growth. Collaborative culture and mission-driven organization with global impact. What to Expect in Your First 90 Days
Weeks 0–4 -
Build relationships with senior leaders and process owners, understand business operations (corporate, commercial, and farm entities), review existing SOX documentation and risk assessments, and evaluate current systems and control environment maturity. Weeks 5–8 -
Develop a SOX project plan, deliver training to control owners, initiate process walkthroughs and documentation, conduct SOX gap analysis, and outline a risk-based internal audit plan. Begin identifying opportunities for advisory and quick-win process improvements. Weeks 9–12 -
Launch SOX control testing and remediation activities, provide readiness reporting to stakeholders, refine audit methodology, and establish frameworks for scaling the global internal audit and SOX program. Your 12-Month Success Metrics
SOX Readiness:
Design effectiveness validated for 100% in-scope processes; operating-effectiveness pass rate ≥90% on initial testing; effective remediation of any material weaknesses and significant deficiencies; ≥95% on-time remediation for noted control deficiencies. Internal Audit Execution:
Deliver the first annual risk-based internal audit plan; complete 1-3 audits/advisory projects within an average audit cycle time ≤8-12 weeks from kickoff to final report; ≥85-75% of timely remediation of audit observations/issues implemented within 90 days of report issuance. GRC System Optimization:
Configure and operationalize the SOX module in Workiva to manage documentation, testing, issue tracking, and reporting, with ≥90% adoption by global Internal Audit team members and timely completion of assigned tasks. Framework & Scalability:
Establish and roll out standardized audit methodology, reporting, and control frameworks, with adoption by ≥90% of regional Internal Audit teams, ensuring consistent documentation, issue tracking, and reporting practices globally. Data, Systems & Automation:
Implement and optimize IT SOX controls and related automation across key financial systems, achieving ≥75% automated control coverage, ensuring 100% of system access and configurations are completed, and reducing manual testing effort by 20%. Governance & Culture:
Quarterly Audit Committee reporting packs on time with detailed analysis and metrics; 100% control owners training and attestation; partner with Legal to implement a whistleblower hotline with cases triaged within SLA and closure rate ≥90% inside 60 days. Stakeholder Engagement:
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with department leaders and external auditors, ensuring ≥90% of audit requests are addressed through internal testing and achieving documented positive feedback from senior stakeholders on responsiveness and collaborative problem-solving.
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