Results-driven Corporate
Compliance Manager with
5+ years of experience in the cigarettes/FMCG industry, specializing in
financial compliance, internal & external audits, enterprise risk management, and corporate governance. Proven ability to interpret and implement
management guidelines, ensure regulatory adherence, and strengthen internal control frameworks. Trusted
business advisor to senior management, providing strategic compliance support, risk mitigation insights, and cross-functional guidance to enable ethical, compliant, and sustainable business operations.
Key Responsibilities & Expertise
- Financial compliance monitoring and regulatory reporting
- Internal and statutory audit coordination and closure
- Enterprise risk management (ERM) and control assessment
- Development and implementation of management guidelines & SOPs
- Corporate governance and compliance assurance
- Advisory support to business units and senior leadership
- Stakeholder coordination with auditors, regulators, and internal teams
Detailed Roles & Functions
- Financial Compliance & Control Oversight:
- Ensure full compliance with applicable financial laws, regulations, taxation requirements, and industry-specific statutory obligations related to the cigarettes/tobacco sector.
- Review and monitor financial transactions, accounting practices, and reporting processes to ensure accuracy, transparency, and regulatory adherence.
- Coordinate with Finance, Tax, and Accounts teams to ensure timely statutory filings, payments, and disclosures.
- Identify financial control gaps and recommend process improvements to strengthen governance and prevent fraud or non-compliance.
- Internal & External Audit Management:
- Plan, coordinate, and support internal audits, external audits, and regulatory inspections.
- Act as the primary liaison between auditors, regulators, and internal stakeholders.
- Ensure timely closure of audit observations, implementation of corrective actions, and follow-up monitoring.
- Develop audit dashboards and reports for senior management and audit committees.
- Enterprise Risk Management (ERM):
- Identify, assess, and document financial, operational, regulatory, and reputational risks across the organization.
- Maintain and periodically update the risk register in line with management and board expectations.
- Facilitate risk assessments and control self-assessments (RCSA) with business units.
- Recommend and monitor risk mitigation strategies to reduce exposure and ensure business continuity.
- Management Guidelines, Policies & SOPs:
- Develop, review, and update management guidelines, compliance policies, codes of conduct, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Ensure policies align with local laws, industry regulations, and corporate governance best practices.
- Communicate policies across the organization and provide interpretation and implementation support to business teams.
- Monitor policy compliance and initiate corrective measures where deviations occur.
- Regulatory & Statutory Compliance:
- Track and interpret tobacco-specific regulations, including excise laws, health warnings, packaging, labeling, advertising, and distribution controls.
- Ensure adherence to anti-illicit trade, licensing, and reporting requirements.
- Support regulatory submissions, inspections, and correspondence with government authorities and regulators.
- Proactively assess regulatory changes and advise management on business impact and compliance readiness.
- Corporate Governance & Ethics:
- Support the implementation of corporate governance frameworks, board directives, and ethical standards.
- Monitor compliance with codes of conduct, conflict of interest declarations, and whistleblower mechanisms.
- Investigate compliance breaches and recommend disciplinary or corrective actions where required.
- Prepare governance and compliance reports for management, board, and audit committees.
- Business Advisory & Strategic Support:
- Act as a trusted business advisor, providing compliance-based insights to support strategic and operational decisions.
- Review new business initiatives, contracts, and projects from a risk and compliance perspective.
- Support business teams in navigating regulatory complexities while enabling commercial objectives.
- Provide practical guidance on balancing compliance requirements with operational efficiency.
- Training, Awareness & Culture Building:
- Design and deliver compliance training programs for employees and management.
- Promote a culture of compliance, ethics, and risk awareness across the organization.
- Conduct awareness sessions on regulatory changes, audit findings, and key compliance risks.
- Reporting & Management Communication:
- Prepare periodic compliance dashboards, risk reports, and audit status updates for senior management.
- Highlight key compliance risks, trends, and improvement areas with actionable recommendations.
- Support leadership in meeting board-level and regulatory reporting obligations.
- Continuous Improvement & Best Practices:
- Benchmark compliance practices against industry standards and best practices.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance compliance effectiveness and efficiency.
- Leverage technology and automation tools to improve compliance monitoring and reporting.
