Group Controller

Our client is the leading manufacturer of private label fruit juices and soft drinks. It has 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 buy & build strategy execution of the Group. The turnover of clients is exceeds the amount of € 1 billion.

Position

The Group Controller reports to the Director Finance & Control. Together with other Group controllers, Holding accountants and a Tax accountant he/she forms the Finance team of the Holding. The Group Controller has a direct relation with the unit’s financial management and participates in the monthly executive board meetings with the units and is expected to contribute to the financial solidity and performance of the allocated units. The overall Finance Affairs regarding the group are handled by the Director Finance & Control including Treasury and Tax. The Director Finance & Control is second in command in Finance next to the CFO.

Indirect reports
The Group Controllers are dedicated in working together with the Director Finance & Control to monitor the performance of the Business Unit Financial Directors. All 7 Business units have a Finance Director who reports into the business and have a dotted line to one of the Group Controllers.

Tasks & Responsibilities:
Main focus and responsibilities are on the financially sound performance of the dedicated European operations for his/her region (Germany, Finland, UK & Poland).
• Continuously improve & professionalize the P&C cycle including development of the annual operating plan, monthly/quarterly forecasting, budget versus actual reporting for the region, consolidated KPI’s of the business units and profit centres.
• Prepares and arranges follow up of the monthly board meetings with the allocated European units that are chaired by the CEO/CFO
• Actively stimulates and facilitates the companies strategy execution in the allocated European units
• Monitors the strategy execution of the allocated European units, signalizes deviations and initiates action if needed, acts as a ‘shadow Finance Director’
• Challenges unit FD’s on major financial items and issues.
• Ensures timely executed business budgeting & planning cycle
• Supports the allocated European units in the execution of the planning & budgeting cycle
• Proposes Profit Improvement initiatives
• Optimises management information reports
• Is actively involved in analyzing and evaluating acquisition prospects and divestments and supports integrations when needed. He/she will ensure that the financial and reporting structures and guidelines are implemented in the acquired companies
• Evaluates and advises upon financial soundness of capital expenditure of projects and monitors execution and agreed upon return
• Advisory role towards the CEO/ CFO / Director Finance & Control on all F&C related business issues and ensures the execution of financial analysis to support related decisions
• Stimulates exchange and implementation of knowledge and the best practises to the allocated European units
• Ensures working capital and capital employed performance in the allocated European units
• Implements in consent with the Director Finance & Control financial guidelines of the Holding in the field of accounting principles and procedures in the allocated European units
• Involved or project leading in various Holding financial projects.

Ideal candidate profile

Experience and achievements to date:
• Masters degree in Business Economics/administration preferably with a post academic qualification (RA/CA/CPA or CMA/CIMA/RC).
• At least 10 years experience of progressively financial appointments including a management team role for an management team that has P&L responsibility for an integrated business.
• Proven leadership and ability to motivate people to meet tight and complex reporting requirements.
• Strong preference for experience accumulated in a non branded, commodity FMCG (business to consumer or business to business) environment with a strong cost focus
• Has been responsible for Plant or Manufacturing Controlling at the earlier career stages
• Knowledge of IFRS is a plus

“Must have” competencies include:
• Excellent business / financial analysis and evaluation ability
• A balance between technical financial knowledge on the one hand and commercial acumen and business management skills on the other hand.
• A seasoned business professional, comfortable in dealing with and influencing senior decision makers.
• The ability to become a trusted advisor to senior management on financial issues and also in related commercial, strategic and organizational matters.
• Proven ability of working with various cultures and comfortable with international ways of working. Able to adapt plans, strategies and processes in ways suited to local cultures and customs.
• Well organized with a disciplined approach to evaluating priorities in a fast changing environment.
• Outstanding administration skills with the ability to review and improve systems and procedures with the emphasis on efficiency avoiding bureaucracy.
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.

Personal characteristics include:
• An energetic, “can do” approach.
• Highly self motivated and enthusiastic.
• Entrepreneurial spirit.
• High degree of integrity and honesty.
• A collaborative approach to building relationships, making decisions etc.
• A flexible attitude to work. Not afraid to put the hours in and willing to travel.

If you are interested in this opportunity send your resume by using the form below. For more information regarding this position please contact Elisabeth Huigen or Rolf Elderenbosch via +31 (0)20 661 43 43 or with regard to JO090038.