Associate Audit Manager

At AkzoNobel, we're driven by a passion for delivering sustainable and innovative paints and coatings that help protect and enhance the world around us. As we continue to strengthen our global governance and risk management framework, AkzoNobel is looking for an experienced Associate Audit Manager to join its Global Internal Audit team in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

As an Associate Audit Manager, you will play a key role in providing independent assurance and trusted advisory services across AkzoNobel's global operations. You will lead and execute audits across a broad range of business processes, helping the organization identify risks, strengthen internal controls, and improve operational performance. Working with colleagues and stakeholders around the world, you will manage complex audit assignments with a high level of autonomy while coaching team members and contributing to the continuous development of the Internal Audit function. This role offers excellent exposure to senior leadership, diverse business areas, and international operations, making it an ideal opportunity for an audit professional looking to broaden their impact within a global organization.

About the role

As an Associate Audit Manager, you will provide independent assurance and trusted advisory services across AkzoNobel's global operations, leading and executing audits across a broad range of business processes to help the organization identify risks, strengthen internal controls, and improve operational performance.

What you will do

You will lead and execute operational, financial, compliance and process audits across AkzoNobel's global business. Acting as Audit Assignment Manager or Lead Auditor for a significant portion of audit engagements, you will be responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering audits from start to finish.

During the planning phase, you will leverage data analytics and risk assessments to define the audit scope, evaluate control design and develop effective audit programs. Throughout fieldwork, you will assess process effectiveness, identify risks and control gaps, validate findings with stakeholders and develop practical recommendations that add value to the business.

You will prepare high-quality audit reports, clearly communicating observations, risks and improvement opportunities to management. Beyond audit delivery, you will mentor and coach fellow auditors, contribute to audit methodology enhancements, and support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives within the Global Internal Audit team.

What you will bring

You hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration, Information Technology, Economics or a related discipline. A professional certification such as CIA, CISA, CPA, RA, RO, RE or RC is required.

You bring at least six years of audit experience, gained within a public accounting firm and/or the internal audit function of a large international organization. Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment is considered a strong advantage.

You have a solid understanding of risk-based auditing principles, internal control frameworks and generally accepted auditing standards. You are comfortable working with SAP, audit management systems and data analytics tools to support audit planning and execution.

As a natural leader, you know how to guide audit teams, manage multiple priorities and build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. You combine strong analytical thinking with excellent communication skills and have the confidence to challenge processes constructively while maintaining a collaborative approach.

You are fluent in English, both written and spoken. Additional language skills are considered an advantage. As this is a global role, you are willing to travel internationally for approximately 40% of your time.

Why join AkzoNobel?

At AkzoNobel, Internal Audit is more than an assurance function—we are trusted business partners who help shape a stronger, more resilient organization. As an Associate Audit Manager, you'll gain broad exposure to global operations, collaborate with senior leaders across multiple functions, and contribute to strategic business improvements.

In return, AkzoNobel offers a collaborative international environment, continuous learning and development opportunities, and the chance to build a rewarding global career within one of the world's leading paints and coatings companies.