Group Business Controller

Group Business Controller

Our cliënt is a leading European manufacturer in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods, focusing on distinguishing quality in terms of products, people and performance.

A decentralized organization with fully integrated regional business units with a high level of independence and responsibility. A small central management team initiates and coordinates the strategy of the Group. The Group employs approximately 2,800 people among the 26 production sites throughout 8 countries in Europe. It is headquartered in Rotterdam (NL) where the management is housed. Also at this location financial control and purchasing are under full control of the central organization. Commercial responsibilities are regionally organized in order to have a local to local communication towards trading partners. Account management for international customers is coordinated centrally. In 2009 the net turn-over was approx. € 1.2 billion.

Reports to: CFO

Purpose

To report on internal financial information and external financial statements, to set financial and accounting guidelines for the selected BU’s/PC’s, as well as to analyse and advise the CEO and CFO on capital expenditure or desinvestment proposals, in line with the group strategy and in consent with the CFO, in order to facilitate effective decision making and to give adequate insight into the financial position of the organization to all stakeholders.

Shared Accountabilities

• Joins the CEO at the Board meetings with the BU’s/PC’s and is also the secretary
• Communicates the business plan to the selected BU’s/PC’s 
• monitors the execution of the business plan within the selected BU’s/PC’s, signalises deviations and takes action if necessary
• Participates in due diligence processes
• Implements financial and reporting structures and guidelines in the acquired companies

Specific Accountabilities

• Ensures timely executed business budgeting & planning cycle
• Optimises the budgeting & planning cycle
• Supports the selected BU’s/PC’s in the execution of planning & budgeting cycle
• Analyses and challenges the selected BU’s/PC’s plan and budget; suggests profit improvement possibilities
• Ensures the monitoring of (large) strategic, finance related decisions of the BU’s/PC’s (eg major investments)
• Challenges FD’s on major financial topics
• Ensures timely delivery of monthly and annual reporting on the consolidated KPI’s of the selected BU’s/PC’s
• Ensures analysis of the consolidated monthly reports on deviations and takes action if necessary
• Advices the CFO proactively on all Controlling related business issues and ensures the execution of financial analysis to support these decisions in order to stimulate synergy and awareness with regard to the impact of the decisions on KPI’s
• Advices the CFO on proposals to Capital Expenditures, desinvestments and restructuring

Management Accountabilities

• Supports and stimulates exchange and implementation of knowledge and the best practices within the selected BU’s/PC’s
• Challenges FD’s
• Monitors performance of business units

Ideal candidate profile

• Master degree in Business Economics/administration, with post qualification (RA/CA/CPA or CMA/CIMA/RC)
• 10+ years experience of progressively financial appointments
• Able to provide clear leadership and motivate people
• Experience in FMCG and/or manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of various cultures and international ways of working
• Good mix of technical financial knowledge and commercial acumen and business management skills
• Able to influence senior decision makers
• Trusted advisor to senior management, not just on financial issues but also on commercial, strategic and organizational matters
• Energetic ‘Can Do’ approach
• Highly self-motivated and enthusiastic
• Integer and Honest
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills
• A flexible attitude to work. Not afraid to put the hours in and willing to travel internationally

Competencies

•  Vision
•  Entrepreneurship
•  Group Leadership
•  Coaching
•  Result Orientation 
•  Team Work 
•  Performance Orientation 
•  Behavioral Flexibility

Interested?

You can apply to this position by using the form below.

For further questions please contact Elisabeth Huigen or Rolf Elderenbosch on +31 (0)20 661 43 43.