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:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field
- Certification in Controlling, Financial Analysis, or equivalent professional qualification
- 5–6 years of experience in Business Controlling within a manufacturing environment
- Strong knowledge of SAP FICO, SAP BW, and MS Office tools
- Solid understanding of budgeting, forecasting, cost accounting, and variance analysis
- Experience in cross-functional controlling (production, supply chain, sales, etc.)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured and detail-oriented approach
- Ability to work closely with senior management and provide strategic financial insights
- High level of integrity, governance awareness, and process orientation
- Self-driven, proactive, and capable of working independently within a structured corporate environment