Head of Business Performance Controlling

Stora Enso Group; Helsinki; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Stora Enso seeks a commercially driven and highly analytical Head of Business Performance Controlling to partner with Packaging Solutions leadership across Europe. The role requires strategic thinking and hands-on execution to improve profitability, cash generation and long-term competitiveness.

You will lead performance management, business analytics and investment evaluation, influencing stakeholders across functions and geographies.

Qualifications

• Requires a Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in business controlling, performance management or related fields.
• Proven track record delivering EBIT improvement, cost optimization and cash flow enhancement.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leadership on strategic performance and value creation initiatives.
• Identify and drive EBIT and cash flow improvement opportunities.
• Lead complex cross-functional projects in a global matrix organization.
• Develop and refine KPI frameworks, forecasting, and reporting for transparency and accountability.
• Utilize AI, advanced analytics and digital tools to improve decision-making.

Skills

Business analytics

Financial modeling

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Business, Economics, Engineering

Tools

AI tools

Analytics software

Automation

Job description

Packaging Solutions is one of Stora Enso’s seven business areas (BA), focusing on sustainable, fiber-based packaging. We deliver premium packaging to leading brands in retail, e-commerce, and industrial markets, while providing design and automation services that improve material use, streamline logistics, and reduce CO². We are now looking for a commercially driven and highly analytical Head of Business Performance Controlling to partner closely with business and the Packaging Solutions leadership teams. The position can be based at any Packaging Solutions location across Europe. Preferred locations are Helsinki or Lahti (FI), Stockholm or Jönöping (SE), Riga (LV), Ostrołeńka (PL), and De Lier (NL).

Your mission As Head of Business Performance Controlling, you will drive performance improvement across Packaging Solutions through business analytics, financial optimization and cross-functional transformation initiatives. You create forward-looking business performance insights, scenario analyses and actionable recommendations that enable leadership to make informed decisions and accelerate value creation. You will act as a trusted advisor and sparring partner to senior leadership, combining operational understanding, business controlling expertise and an outside-in perspective to identify opportunities that enhance profitability, improve cash generation and strengthen long-term competitiveness. This role requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. You will lead initiatives independently, influence stakeholders across functions and geographies, and ensure that business decisions are backed by robust analysis and clear value creation logic.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Head of Packaging Solutions and Business Area leadership on strategic performance and value creation initiatives
• Identify, quantify and drive EBIT and cash flow improvement opportunities across the business area
• Lead complex business controlling, business analytics and performance management projects from concept to implementation
• Challenge existing operating models and support data-driven decision-making across functions and countries
• Develop business cases and investment recommendations, ensuring resources are allocated to the highest-value opportunities
• Drive end-to-end performance optimization by balancing commercial, operational and financial priorities
• Improve business performance reporting, forecasting and KPI frameworks to increase transparency and accountability
• Leverage AI, advanced analytics and digital tools to enhance business insight generation and decision quality
• Build financial and operational models that support scenario planning, network optimization and strategic decision-making
• Facilitate cross-functional initiatives across sales, operations, supply chain, procurement and finance
• Ensure improvement initiatives have clear value tracking mechanisms and measurable business outcomes
• Act as a catalyst for change by influencing stakeholders across a matrix organization without direct authority

Who We Are Looking For

• You are an experienced business performance leader with a proven track record of delivering measurable financial impact in an international industrial environment.
• Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering or another relevant field
• 10+ years of experience in business controlling, performance management, strategy, operations finance or business transformation
• Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable EBIT improvement, cost optimization and cash flow enhancement initiatives
• Experience leading complex cross-functional projects in a global matrix organization
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills without formal people leadership responsibility
• Proven ability to challenge status quo and drive change through facts, insight and credibility
• Strong business modeling, financial analysis and problem-solving capabilities
• Experience utilizing AI, advanced analytics, automation or modern digital tools to improve business performance and decision-making
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Fluent English, both written and spoken
• Understanding of manufacturing, industrial operations, supply chain or packaging industry dynamics is an advantage

What We Offer

At Stora Enso, we believe that people perform at their best when they feel they belong and have opportunities to grow. We foster a culture built on trust, respect and collaboration, where everyone is encouraged to contribute, develop their capabilities and achieve together. To support you in doing your best work, we also invest in your physical and mental wellbeing. You will contribute to a more sustainable world, as we believe that anything made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow.

We believe diversity strengthens our competitiveness and leads to better decision-making. Diverse teams with different backgrounds help us explore new perspectives and challenge our ways of thinking. We actively work to increase diversity in the workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Stora Enso is an equal opportunity employer that follows non-discriminatory practices.

We believe diversity strengthens our competitiveness and contributes to better decision-making. Diverse working teams help us to explore different perspectives and challenge our way of thinking. We work actively to increase diversity in the workplace and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. Stora Enso is an equal opportunity employer and follows non-discriminatory practices.

Safety and wellbeing are our top priority every day. We inspire you to lead your growth and to set the ambition high.