Regional Finance Director Europe

The organisation

Our client is a privately-owned trading company, globally importing and exporting food commodities. From 20+ offices spread over 4 continents, a high diversity of frozen and refrigerated food products is traded, worth approximately € 1.6 billion in group sales. The organization operates a financially stable course and achieves stable and sustainable growth year after year. Its success and stability are partly due to the diversification of its activities across a number of product sectors and global markets.

The global head office is located in London (UK). The European branch of the organization consists of 2 trading offices in the Netherlands (Doetinchem and Cuijck), 1 trading office in Germany (Hamburg) and packaging sites in Serbia and Greece. A central office responsible for global compliance, risk management and financial control is based near Zürich (Switzerland).

The position

For our client, a privately-owned global food trading company, we are recruiting a Regional Finance Director Europe (the successor of the Group CFO in approx 3 to 5 years). This role has a large travel component (approx. 50%) to the Swiss office, the UK or other locations.

This role requires travelling and dividing your time and attention between the European entities (approx. 45%), the Swiss office (approx. 45%) and the UK or other locations (approx. 5%).

The Regional Finance Director Europe reports directly to the Group CFO (who is based in Switzerland). As the Group CFO is planning to retire in 3 to 5 years, you will initially focus on the European organization and will be trained as the successor to take on the group role in a few years.

Tasks & responsibilities

• Challenge & advise company management and the executive board to ensure optimum business planning and performance.
• Perform accurate and relevant business analysis & performance measurement.
• Ensure quality control over all financial transactions, statements and reportings throughout the European business.
• Coordinate and direct the preparation of the budget and financial forecasts and reports.
• Support month-end and year-end close process.
• Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls and compliance.
• Oversight of company accounts and investments.
• Support a strong risk management function.
• Treasury maintenance and improvements.
• Investigation of investment and growth opportunities.
• Maintain outstanding banking relationships and strategic alliances with vendors and business partners.
• Assist with compliance with existing and new requirements, such as GDPR, Plastic tax, ESG, to name a few.
• Support transfer pricing modelling, approval, and reporting, together with other tax planning initiatives.

Candidate profile

Role requirements (hard skills):

• Master's degree in Business Economics, Finance or Accounting.
• A Chartered Accountant (CPA / RA) - active or inactive - is preferred.
• 10+ years of finance, controlling and accounting experience, of which 3+ years in a financial management/leadership role, within international private corporations.
• Experience gained in (food/commodity) trading / trade companies, logistics and supply chain organizations or the food service is preferred.
• Significant experience working with external auditors, internal controls, and compliance related issues.
• Experience with budget management, public accounting, and cash flow.
• Experience with corporate governance.
• Excellent IT and excel skills. Experience with ERP implementations is desirable.
• Fluency in English is a must (written and verbal communication). Additional languages (Dutch, German or French) are considered a plus.

Competencies & personal characteristics (soft skills):

• Demonstrated leadership ability, confidence, and the ability to motivate staff.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong work ethics; Honesty, integrity, reliability.
• Superior attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload effectively, and delegate.
• Very much a hands-on approach required for a dynamic trading company.

The offer

Salary and renumeration information will be disclosed upon request.

Interested?

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