Head of Business Process Ownership

Our Corporate Functions teams make sure everything at Grünenthal runs smoothly by bringing together people with a wide range of skills – from experts in finance, IT, HR, law and compliance through to business strategists and creative media minds. If you’re a great collaborator and a strong communicator, you’ll feel right at home here. Join our team and join forces with colleagues across our business to maximise our company’s positive impact on patients and their families.

What the job looks like:

The role play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence within the Finance Process Governance & Performance Improvement Department. This role is responsible for leading a team of Finance Business Process Owners (BPOs) for Controlling and Accounting Processes, defining and executing automation and improvement roadmaps, and ensuring sustainable process governance aligned with corpoarte objectives.

Leadership & Governance:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of BPOs (Controlling & Accounting) and a Process Engineer
• Act as a strategic partner to senior finance leadership, ensuring alignment of process governance with organizational goals
• Oversee the development, documentation, and compliance of end-to-end finance processes

Process Improvement Area:

• Steer the roadmap for finance process automation, standardization, and improvement
• Colaborate with IT and digital transformation teams to identify, prioritize, and implement new technologies (e.g., RPA, AI, analytics)
• Lead the development of Lean Six Sigma methodologies across finance processes, including training, certification, and ongoing application
• Identify inefficiencies and implement scalable, data-driven solutions to enhance accuracy, speed, and cost-effectiveness
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the finance organization

Performance & Reporting:

• Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for finance process efficiency and effectiveness
• Provide transparency on progress of automation, process improvements, and governance initiatives
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and external regulatory requirements

What you'll bring to the table:

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
• Professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA, CFA, or equivalent) preferred
• 10+ years of experience in Finance, with at least 5 years in process improvement, automation, or governance roles, particularly in Industrial context
• Experience in the pharmaceutical, life sciences or manufactoring industry is an advantage
• Strong knowledge of SAP S/4HANA FI/CO module particularly with strong manufactoring context
• Define and drive processes/operationalization
• Change management
• Project management
• Think strategically
• Communicate with impact
• Buils trust & Engagement
• Fluent or proficient in English

Grünenthal is a global leader in pain management and related diseases. As a science-based, privately-owned pharmaceutical company, we have a long track record of bringing innovative treatments and state-of-the‑art technologies to patients worldwide. Our purpose is to change lives for the better – and innovation is our passion. We are focussing all of our activities and efforts on working towards our vision of a world free of pain.

Grünenthal is headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and has affiliates in 28 countries across Europe, Latin America and the US. Our products are available in more than 100 countries. In 2024, Grünenthal employed around 4,300 people and achieved sales of € 1.8 billion.