Director, Americas & Function Operations

Job description

You may know McCormick as a leader in herbs, spices, seasonings, and condiments – and we’re only getting started. At McCormick, we’re always looking for new people to bring their unique flavor to our team. McCormick employees – all 14,000 of us across the world – are what makes this company a great place to work. We are looking to hire a Director, Americas & Function Operations to join the Global Risk and Audit Management (GRAM) team based at our Global Headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The position is hybrid eligible (50% onsite per month). What We Bring To The Table: The best people deserve the best rewards. In addition to the benefits you’d expect from a global leader (401k, health insurance, paid time off, etc.) we also offer: • Competitive compensation • Career growth opportunities • Flexibility and Support for Diverse Life Stages and Choices • Wellbeing programs including Physical, Mental and Financial wellness • Tuition assistance We have embarked on an exciting jou rney to transform and integrate our Enterprise Risk and Internal Audit capabilities and align with McCormick’s strategic priorities. Director, Americas & Function Operations is a dual-mandate key leadership role within McCormick's GRAM function. The position carries regional accountability for planning and executing the end-to-end risk & audit program across the Americ as (United States, Canada, Mexico, and broader Latin America), while simultaneously serving as the functional champion for the operational and administrative infrastructure that enables audit excellence globally. Reporting directly to the Chief Risk & Audit Officer (CRAO), this leader acts as a strategic partner, trusted advisor to the business, and steward of the function's methodology, quality, and risk management capabilities. The role is pivotal in integrating the Americas risk landscape into McCormick's enterprise-wide audit strategy and ensuring that the function operates with the rigor, consistency, and credibility expected of a world-class risk and audit organization. Responsibilities: Americas Regional Risk & Audit Leadership Own and drive the annual risk assessment and audit planning process for the Americas region, ensuring alignment with enterprise risk priorities and McCormick's global strategic agenda. Lead the execution of financial, operational, compliance, and integrated audits across Americas operations, including manufacturing, supply chain, commercial, and shared service functions. Serve as the primary relationship manager with regional business leaders, Finance, Legal, and Compliance stakeholders, fostering trust, transparency, and a risk-aware culture. Provide timely, insight-driven audit findings and recommendations that deliver tangible business value and support management in strengthening the control environment. Monitor the status of open audit recommendations and management action plans for the region, escalating systemic or high-risk items to the CRAO as appropriate. Represent the Americas region in global audit leadership forums, contributing regional perspective to enterprise-wide risk discussions and audit strategy. Function Operations & Administration Champion the design, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Global Risk Management and Audit Methodology, ensuring alignment with the IIA's International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) and other applicable standards. Lead the function's Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP), including internal quality assessments, preparation for external quality assessments, and remediation of improvement opportunities. Facilitate the global Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program on behalf of the CRAO — facilitating the enterprise risk identification, assessment, and reporting cycle in partnership with business leaders and the Board's Audit Committee while advancing the programs agenda. Collaborate closely with the GRAM leadership team to manage the internal audit technology ecosystem (audit management platform, data analytics tools), driving adoption, optimization, and innovation in how the team leverages technology. Oversee audit department policies, procedures, and the Charter, ensuring they remain current, compliant, and fit for purpose. Coordinate and manage the function's annual operating plan and budget, resource allocation across global engagements, and staffing/recruiting initiatives. Drive the function's talent strategy including performance management, professional development, professional certification support, and succession planning. Lead the preparation of materials for the Audit Committee and senior leadership, including the quarterly Internal Audit activity report and the annual QAIP results. Team building and Development Build, grow and develop a team of GRAM talent that is poised to support the department objectives and execution of the annual enterprise risk assessment and audit plan. Develop productive relationships with key risk owners across the business, particularly in the areas of Accounting, Legal, Human Resources, Information Technology, Operations and Supply. Candidate profile Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Preferred: Advanced degree (MBA, MAcc). Required: CPA, CIA, or CISA certification. Preferred additional risk certifications CRMA, CERM or similar. 10+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, external audit, or risk management, with at least 4 years in a leadership capacity. Deep, hands-on knowledge of the IIA Standards and the IPPF; demonstrated experience designing and managing a QAIP. Proven experience owning or significantly contributing to an ERM program, including risk framework design, facilitation, and executive reporting. Experience managing cross-regional or multi-country audit programs, with specific exposure to emerging markets with regions. Strong track record of leading high-performing audit teams and developing talent at all levels. Exceptional communication, influencing, and executive presence skills — ability to present complex risk and audit topics to C-suite and Board audiences. Proficiency with audit management and GRC technology platforms (e.g., Optro, Workiva, SAP GRC, or equivalent). Large, multi-brand, global, public company experience preferred. M&A experience preferred. Thorough understanding of internal auditing standards, COSO, SOX, US GAAP and risk assessment practices. Strategic thinker with ability to think “”Big Picture” and partner across teams to develop and support best-in-class risk solutions to protect and drive value. Strong enterprise mindset, financial acumen, and customer centricity to navigate complexity and support the broader growth aspirations of the business, leverage strategic analysis of data to inform business making decisions. Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiations and conflict resolution skills. Individual with enthusiasm and infectious energy to advance new ideas and methods for proactive, forward-looking risk framework that produces results. Strong process improvement skills and demonstrated ability to influence and optimize processes to drive, business synergies and productivity Excellent organizational, time management and prioritization skills. Commitment to maintaining a high degree of discretion and confidentiality. #LI-DNI Base Salary: $140,610-253,080 Base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience for this role, and/or internal equity of our current employees as part of any final offer. This position is also eligible to participate in McCormick’s Incentive Bonus (MIB) Plan/ McCormick’s Sales Incentive Bonus (SIB) Plan/ McCormick’s Dividend Program. In addition to a competitive compensation package, permanent employees of McCormick are eligible for our extensive Total Rewards programs that include: - Comprehensive health plans covering medical, vision, dental, life and disability benefits - Family-friendly benefits such as paid parental leave, fertility benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and caregiver support - Retirement and investment programs including 401(k) and profit-sharing plans McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. As a general policy, McCormick does not offer employment visa sponsorships upon hire or in the future. #LI-DNI