Senior Manager, Internal Audit – Tech Ops
At a glance
Senior Audit & Controls role at Novartis. Barcelona Gran Vía · full-time · €59,100–€109,700 base.
financeroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Run audits and advisory work from scoping through completion across manufacturing, supply, and technical operations
- Trace risks to their underlying causes, then recommend workable changes that improve operations
- Write clear findings and recommendations for senior Operations leaders, offering independent challenge and practical advice
- Improve audit methods and planning by spotting new process risks and supporting AI-enabled, data-led audit work
- Coach auditors through onboarding, peer support, and shared learning
What you bring
- A university degree in a technical or scientific field tied to manufacturing or supply chain
- Extensive assurance or internal audit experience in manufacturing, supply, or regulated operations
- Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical production, supply chains, quality settings, and relevant rules such as GMP, GDP, FDA, or EMA
- A record of leading complex engagements and influencing senior operations leaders, with practical use of analytics, digital tools, or AI
- Fluent English and the ability to communicate credibly with senior leadership
Who this fits
This senior role suits someone who can lead audits while advising and challenging senior Operations stakeholders. It is based in Barcelona and involves global travel of thirty to forty percent. Additional European languages, pharmaceutical or related-sector experience, and CIA or CRMA credentials are advantageous.
From the employer
Salary Range:
€59,100.00 - €109,700.00
Job Description Summary
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Play a critical role in strengthening trust, resilience, and performance across Novartis’ manufacturing and supply operations. As a Senior Manager, Internal Audit – Tech Ops, you will lead high‑impact audit and advisory engagements across pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain, and technical operations, partnering closely with senior stakeholders across Operations. You will bring deep operational insight, sound judgment, and digital fluency to help identify risk, strengthen controls, and drive pragmatic improvements across complex, regulated environments. This role offers the opportunity to combine operational expertise with strategic influence while shaping the future of digitally enabled internal audit.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
Lead audit and advisory engagements end‑to‑end across manufacturing, supply chain, and technical operations.
Deliver risk‑based insights by assessing root causes and recommending practical, value‑adding improvements.
Ensure consistent, high‑quality execution aligned with Internal Audit standards and quality assurance programs.
Prepare clear, impactful audit and advisory reports for senior operations stakeholders.
Act as a trusted advisor to senior Operations stakeholders, providing independent challenge and practical insight.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of audit methodology, supporting consistent, high‑quality execution and AI/digitally enabled audit practices.
Contribute to operations audit planning by identifying emerging risks across manufacturing and supply processes.
Coach and develop auditors through onboarding, peer coaching, and knowledge sharing.
Champion data‑driven and digitally enabled audit practices in collaboration with Audit Intelligence Enablement teams.
Please be advised that this role will have a global travel requirement of 30%-40%.
Essential Requirements
University degree in technical or scientific discipline related to manufacturing or supply chain management.
Extensive experience in Internal Audit or assurance roles within manufacturing, supply, or regulated operations.
Strong understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain, and quality environments.
Proven ability to lead complex audit or advisory engagements and influence senior operations stakeholders.
Hands‑on experience using data analytics, digital tools, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance audit outcomes in complex or regulated environments.
Solid knowledge of pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks, including GMP, GDP, FDA, EMA, and related standards.
Fluent English, with the ability to communicate credibly at senior leadership level; additional European languages are an advantage.
Desirable Requirements
Preferred background in Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or Big Four audit/consulting with a healthcare or regulated operations focus.
Professional certifications are a plus, including CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) and/or CRMA (Certification in Risk Management Assurance).
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve
Skills Desired
Compliance And Controls (Inactive), Critical Thinking, E2E Process View (Inactive), Employee Engagement, Financial Accounting, Financial Management Reporting, Giving And Receiving Feedback (Inactive), Interpersonal Savvy (Inactive), Problem Solving, Process Optimization