ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE

Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA, and ANZ regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.

Our client is a global leader in the manufacture of self-adhesive products and system solutions for industry, trade, and consumers, operating in over 100 countries with more than 5,000 employees worldwide. We are seeking a Financial Controller (m/f/d) to play a key role in overseeing and managing the company’s financial reporting, planning, and control activities in line with both corporate and local requirements. In this role, you will ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information, drive the preparation and analysis of budgets, forecasts, and financial performance, and ensure full compliance with UAE regulations and internal systems. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to strategic decision-making within a dynamic, innovative, and globally recognized organization. 

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Lead financial reporting and monitoring, coordinating all submissions within the Internal Monitoring System to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness
• Own group reporting, ensuring compliance with corporate deadlines and International Financial Reporting Standards
• Ensure accurate IFRS provisions during month-end and quarter-end closings
• Manage and enhance the Cost Center reporting framework, improving data quality, consistency, and usability
• Monitor financial performance against budgets and forecasts, providing clear variance analysis and actionable insights
• Prepare and oversee the Annual Business Plan and periodic forecast updates, aligned with corporate standards and business strategy
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs to ensure accurate, realistic, and strategy-aligned financial plans
• Support annual IFRS audits, serving as the primary liaison with corporate and external audit partners
• Oversee Risk and Control Matrix activities, including compensating controls for Segregation of Duties conflicts
• Produce ad hoc management reports and perform financial calculations, including quarterly distributor premium calculations, to support decision-making

To be successful in this role you should have the following skills and experiences: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or Business Administration
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in controlling and accounting within the UAE
• In-depth knowledge of UAE tax laws, VAT, corporate tax, and financial regulations
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office and SAP
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide actionable financial insights
• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and self-aware
• Customer-focused and results-driven, able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Excellent team player with exceptional collaboration and communication abilities
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal

ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE

Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA, and ANZ regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.

Our German-headquartered client is an internationally operating manufacturing group with a strong footprint in the region and a commitment to operational excellence, performance transparency, and sustainable growth. In this dynamic and performance-driven environment, the Business Controller plays a critical role in managing financial reporting, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and controlling activities. Reporting directly to the Director – Finance & Corporate Services, the position acts as a key business partner to senior management, supporting strategic decision-making and driving financial transparency across the organisation. This role is ideal for a hands-on finance professional with strong analytical capabilities and solid experience in manufacturing environments.

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Provide proactive financial recommendations and strategic support to Management on budgeting, policies, and performance targets
• Support the preparation of annual business plans, long-term financial plans, and rolling forecasts
• Lead budgeting processes, establish planning assumptions, and communicate top-down targets
• Prepare and analyse monthly and quarterly financial reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cost & Revenue) with variance analysis and commentary
• Conduct detailed forecasting and ongoing variance analysis against budget and prior forecasts
• Oversee cost accounting, allocations, period-end closing activities, and master data integrity
• Perform cross-functional controlling for production, R&D, procurement, sales, logistics, marketing, HR, and IT
• Monitor cost structures and recommend improvements to enhance financial efficiency across the organisation
• Support project and investment controlling, including feasibility analysis and performance tracking
• Coordinate with external auditors and ensure compliance with governance and ISO/QHSE standards
• Review financial data accuracy and continuously improve reporting systems and controlling processes
• Deliver regular management reports and initiate corrective actions based on performance reviews
• Contribute to ad hoc finance projects such as productivity improvement, pricing analysis, inventory review, and cost optimisation initiatives

To be successful in this role, you should have the following skills and experiences: