Area Controller Europe South

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field is a must
• 10+ years of experience in finance, controlling, or financial management, ideally in an international or multi‑country environment.
• Proven track record in regional or area financial leadership roles, preferably in matrix organizations.
• Strong technical background in accounting (IFRS preferred), controlling, and financial governance.
• Deep understanding of financial statements, KPIs, and performance drivers (Sales, Margin, Opex, EBITDA, ONWC).
• Strong expertise in planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling.
• Solid knowledge of internal controls, compliance frameworks, and audit processes.
• Comfortable working with complex data sets and generating insight-driven analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems and financial reporting tools (e.g., SAP, Hyperion, Power BI, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience developing finance teams across multiple countries.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to act as a sparring partner to senior leadership.
• Experience navigating complex organizational structures and balancing local vs. regional vs. group priorities.
• Strong understanding of commercial drivers and ability to link operational performance to financial impact.
• Experience supporting transformation, restructuring, and performance improvement initiatives.
• High integrity, reliability, and commitment to governance and compliance.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, able to translate financial insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Hands‑on, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset with excellent problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and operate in dynamic environments.
• Fluent in English (mandatory) and proficiency in one or more local Area languages is an advantage.

Join us in a pivotal area finance leadership role with responsibility across Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. This position offers the opportunity to steer financial performance, strengthen governance, and act as a trusted partner to senior management. You will play a crucial role in harmonizing standards and elevating finance capabilities across the Area. The role is located in any of the 4 countries in the Area: Spain, France, Italy or Portugal.

• The Area Controller Europe South is responsible for the financial governance, performance oversight, and technical leadership of the Finance organizations across the Europe South Area (Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France).
• Operating as a regional finance leader, the role ensures consistency, quality, and compliance of financial reporting, controlling standards, and governance across countries, while acting as a key business partner and sparring partner to the Area Manager. The role is co-responsible for the financial performance of the Area and acts as a quality gate between local entities and EMEA / Group Finance.

• Oversee and challenge the financial performance of the Europe South countries, with a strong focus on Sales, Material Margin, Opex, EBITDA, and ONWC.
• Act as a quality gate for financial information reported from countries to Area, EMEA, and Group, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and transparency.
• Identify financial risks, deviations, and red flags across countries and escalate when required, acting as a link between local management and EMEA / Group Finance.
• Ensure alignment of local financial practices with Group, EMEA, and Area Europe South standards and policies.
• Act as the primary financial partner and sparring partner to the Area Manager.
• Actively contribute to Area management decisions as part of the Area leadership trio (Area GM, Area HR, Area Finance).
• Challenge business assumptions, performance drivers, and action plans with fact-based and data-driven analysis.
• Support strategic initiatives, restructuring topics, and performance improvement programs at Area level.
• Provide functional leadership and technical guidance to local Finance Managers in Europe South, particularly on accounting, controlling, and financial governance topics where local General Managers may lack technical depth.
• Ensure local statutory, tax, treasury, and governance topics are properly managed, being informed and involved in key decisions while maintaining local accountability.
• Act as a reference point and escalation level for complex financial, accounting, tax, and audit-related matters.
• Promote consistent application of finance standards and best practices across countries.
• Oversee and challenge country budgets, forecasts, and long-term plans, ensuring coherence at Area level.
• Define benchmarks, performance comparisons, and best practices across Europe South to foster continuous improvement.
• Support countries in translating benchmarks and insights into concrete action plans.
• Ensure a strong culture of governance, compliance, and internal controls across the Area.
• Oversee and support countries in internal and external audit processes, ensuring issues are addressed consistently and timely.
• Ensure alignment with Group and EMEA governance requirements, acting as an early warning system for compliance risks.
• Shape and develop the finance organization across Europe South.
• Support definition of roles, succession planning, and identification of key talents within local finance teams.
• Promote knowledge sharing, capability building, and professional development of Finance Managers and their teams.