Senior IT Compliance Specialist - Corporate Office (Austin, MN) Preferred; remote eligible - specific locations

Senior It Compliance Specialist

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, Skippy, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and more than 30 other beloved brands.

As a Senior IT Compliance Specialist, you will own the end-to-end execution of IT compliance activities at Hormel Foods including audit coordination, evidence management, issue remediation, and continuous improvement of compliance processes. While enterprise compliance strategy is set by senior leadership, this role exercises independent judgment to operationalize those strategies, assess risk, influence stakeholders, and ensure successful audit outcomes across the technology environment.

In addition to managing audits, this role is responsible for driving efficiency, reducing manual effort, and improving the overall compliance operating model through process redesign, automation, and effective use of tools.

Responsibilities:

• Apply enterprise compliance strategies and audit frameworks to independently assess IT risks and control effectiveness. Prioritize issues, determine appropriate responses, and escalate risks based on potential business impact.

Audit Ownership (External & Internal)

• Serve as the primary IT compliance point of contact for both external auditors (SOX) and Internal Audit, owning the full audit lifecycle planning, walkthroughs, evidence strategy, testing support, issue response, and remediation tracking.
• Advise IT and business leaders on audit requirements, risk exposure, and control expectations, ensuring controls are fit-for-purpose and aligned to system criticality, data sensitivity, and risk tolerance.

Process Improvement & Automation

• Identify opportunities to streamline and modernize IT compliance processes, reducing manual effort and improving stakeholder experience.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement tools (e.g., GRC platforms, automated evidence collection solutions) to increase efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Develop standardized, repeatable workflows and documentation to support a maturing compliance program.
• Partner with IT teams to introduce automation or monitoring capabilities that reduce recurring audit burden.

Issue Management & Remediation

• Independently evaluate root causes of audit findings, partner with control owners to define corrective actions, and hold stakeholders accountable for timely and sustainable remediation.
• Track and report remediation progress, ensuring closure aligns with audit expectations and enterprise risk tolerance.

Governance & Policy Support:

• Partner with enterprise risk management and IT leadership to translate compliance strategies into actionable IT policies, standards, and governance practices.
• Provide expert input based on audit trends, risk assessments, and operational realities.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, accounting, or related field, or 5+ years equivalent work experience.
• 2+ years' experience in IT compliance, audit coordination, or related governance roles.
• Familiarity with SOX requirements and IT General Controls (ITGCs).
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require employer sponsorship for a work visa.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Preferred

• Deep understanding of audit concepts and risk assessment methodologies, including the ability to identify and evaluate risks across a diverse and global business model. Experience with frameworks such as COBIT and COSO.
• Experience with GRC tools, evidence management systems, and automated evidence collection technologies.
• Certifications such as CISA, CIA, or similar.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and reporting tools (Power BI).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with maturity frameworks like NIST CSF.
• Has implemented, configured, or optimized common GRC tools.
• Familiar with automated evidence gathering tools and capabilities to drive efficiencies and reduce manual effort in recurring audit processes.

Location: Corporate Office Austin, MN Preferred; may be open to a remote work arrangement for candidates based in Minneapolis, MN; Des Moines; IA; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI and surrounding areas.

At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the Senior IT Compliance Specialist role is between $103,125 - $144,375 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.

Benefits: Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package includes comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.

Travel Requirements: 10% of the time for candidates working remotely, with occasional travel to Austin, MN