Financial Director (m/f/d)

This role is the senior finance position for the European operations. It is a hands-on position with direct responsibility for running day-to-day finance operations across Germany with two large manufacturing sites and several other European countries with mainly sales organisations. The role focuses on cost control, operational performance, financial discipline, and reliable reporting rather than high-level corporate finance strategy.

The European finance function operates with a lean local team and is closely supported by shared service centres and centres of excellence based abroad. As such, this role requires strong collaboration with central teams while maintaining firm operational ownership locally.

The primary purpose of the role is to ensure robust financial control and operational insight across the European business. The role holder acts as a trusted partner to local management and the global board, providing clear analysis, identifying performance drivers, and supporting corrective actions to improve profitability, cash flow, and budget adherence.

Key Responsibilities

• Full responsibility for monthly management reporting, analysis, and timely close processes in coordination with shared service teams
• Deep understanding of cost structures, cost drivers, and margin performance across manufacturing operations
• Active monitoring of budget versus actuals, identifying deviations and driving corrective actions with local management
• Development of meaningful performance indicators and leading indicators to support forward-looking decision making

Operational Finance and Business Partnering

• Act as a hands-on finance partner to plant leadership and European management
• Translate financial data into practical insights that support operational decisions
• Drive a culture of financial discipline, ownership, and accountability across the business
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

Cash Flow and Treasury Oversight

• Responsibility for local cash flow planning and liquidity monitoring
• Day-to-day oversight of local banking operations and execution of treasury activities, within centrally defined frameworks
• Close coordination with central treasury on forecasts, funding requirements, and compliance

Compliance, Governance, and External Coordination

• Oversight of statutory accounting, local audits, and tax compliance for European entities
• Coordination with external advisors such as accounting firms, tax advisors, and auditors
• Ensure compliance with local GAAP requirements as well as group reporting standards
• Maintain strong internal controls and governance in line with group expectations
• Lead and develop a small local finance team
• Set clear expectations, provide hands-on guidance, and foster a practical, performance-oriented culture
• Ensure continuity, reliability, and resilience of finance operations

Key Stakeholders

• European management and plant leadership
• Group CFO and global finance leadership
• Shared service centres and centres of excellence
• External auditors, tax advisors, and banking partners

Profile and Experience

Professional Background

• Solid experience in a regional controller, head of finance, or senior finance manager role within an international industrial or manufacturing environment
• Proven track record in cost control, operational finance, and performance analysis
• Experience working in organisations with headquarters outside the local country, preferably in a matrix environment
• Hands-on mindset with strong fundamentals in accounting and controlling

Skills and Capabilities

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate numbers into operational insight
• Comfortable working with lean structures and shared service models
• Pragmatic problem solver who enjoys deep dives into operational issues
• Strong stakeholder management skills across cultures and geographies
• Clear communicator who builds credibility through substance and consistency
• Business fluent language skills in German and English

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on, down-to-earth, and detail-oriented
• Comfortable operating close to the business and the numbers
• Collaborative, respectful, and culturally sensitive
• Resilient and confident, with a strong sense of ownership