Lead Associate, Quality Controls and Internal Audits

Job description:

Job Summary: 

The Quality Controls & Internal Audits Lead Associate reports to the Senior Manager, Quality and is responsible for working cross-functionally to understand each department’s operations and creating strong, effective, and auditable controls.  Notably this includes controls designed to ensure I-CAR is aligned with the latest SOC 2 standard.  The Lead Associate will perform internal audits to verify those controls are being met and continually monitor I-CAR’s adherence to the controls & SOC 2 requirements. 

 

The Lead Associate will have significant responsibilities in helping departments understand non-conformances found during audits and providing assistance in performing root cause analysis and resolving corrective actions. 

 

The Lead Associate will work especially closely with the IT department.  Therefore the Lead Associate needs a solid understanding of concepts regarding IT security & operation, and the ability to interpret how policies & SOPs are intended to align to SOC 2 requirements. 

 

The Lead Associate does not need to be a programmer but must understand how software systems work well enough to perform in-depth audits on IT systems with assistance from those systems’ daily users.  This is a compliance and audit role.  This is not an IT, system administration, or programming role. 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Develop and execute internal audits and control tests based on I-CAR’s policies, SOPs, key controls document, and the SOC 2 standard 

• Function as a subject matter expert on SOC 2 

• Ensure that all SOC 2-relevant policies are aligned with each other 

• Spearhead collecting evidence to support SOC 2 Type 2 external audits/accreditations 

• Continuously monitor and report on the effectiveness of I-CAR’s controls over time 

• Understand departmental objectives and risks to continually update key controls document and audit templates 

• Identify non-conformances/control failures/process deficiencies and work with departments to resolve 

• Facilitate root cause analysis of why non-conformances occur and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented  

• Perform  other duties as assigned by management 

 

Key Competencies: 

• Experience with SOC 2 standard 

• Ability to understand how various software systems operate including: 

• Salesforce 

• Learning Management System 

• Jira 

• IT ticketing systems 

• Document management systems 

• Sharepoint 

• Understand IT security concepts including access management, risk mitigation, incident protection, and data protection 

• Capable of communicating audit results & non-conformances, assisting in root cause analysis, analyzing corrective action effectiveness, and understanding other departments’ activities with limited direct manager oversight 

• Experience designing new controls and using data to evaluate their effectiveness 

• History of managing audit cycles and performing audits 

• Able to operate as a key contributor to a cross-functional team 

• Ability to organize evidence across multiple systems and collate it into a single audit 

• Experience with helping other people learn how to create high quality policies and SOPs 

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral 

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population 

 

Computer Equipment and Software Requirements: 

• Excellent Microsoft Office Suite skills especially Excel including usage of complex formulas 

• Solid theoretical or practical understanding of relational databases 

 

Additional Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) including risk assessment methodologies 

• Creating complex reports in Salesforce 

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills including using Power Query 

• Experience in performing audits and working with other QMS features 

• Experience with resolving non-conformances through 8D methodology 

• Experience leading cross-functional teams for small-to-medium sized projects such as those resulting from corrective action implementation 

• Experience gaining & maintaining external accreditations (especially IACET, SOC 2, or ISO 9001) 

• Experience with statistics or Six Sigma 

 

Experience and Training: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (preferred) or Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent work experience required.  

• Experience with quality auditing processes and quality management systems 

• 4-7 years of relevant experience internal or external audit experience or other quality or technical role required.  

• Experience with I-CAR training programs is preferred  

• Experience with automotive industry and/or collision repair techniques a benefit but NOT required 

• Experience with ISO 9001 or similar quality management system standards is a benefit. 

• Preferred experience utilizing critical QMS systems and tools (ISO 9001 auditing, root cause analysis, corrective action, complaint management) 

 

We offer:

Why Join I-CAR?

At ICAR, we foster a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Our benefits and perks are designed to enhance work-life balance, career development, and overall well-being.

 

Comprehensive Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Work-Life Balance

• Remote and hybrid work opportunities
• Flexible Fridays program
• Half days before holidays
• Four weeks of PTO, plus paid holidays

Career Growth & Development

• Leadership development programs
• Access to LinkedIn Learning and professional training
• Opportunities to attend industry events and conferences

Company Culture & Engagement

• Mission-driven work with a focus on innovation and education
• Team-building activities and company events
• Volunteer opportunities to give back to the community

 

 

Many employees build long-term careers with I-CAR, with tenures of 5, 10, or even 30  years. Join us and be part of a team that makes a difference in the industry.

 

 

EEO Statement: ICAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law, where applicable. Those with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws.