Business Controller (Functional Fats)

Apical; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Apical in Malaysia is seeking a Business Controller – Functional Fats to act as the finance business partner for the Global Functional Fats business, driving profitability and strategic decision-making across Malaysia, Indonesia, and China.

You will lead budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, collaborate with commercial and manufacturing teams, strengthen governance, and steer digital finance initiatives including Power BI analytics and SAP S/4HANA enhancements.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• Professional qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent) is advantageous.
• 8–10 years of experience in Business Controlling, FP&A, and Manufacturing Finance.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA and Power BI is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate financial, KPI, and management reporting to support business decision-making.
• Drive profitability, margin improvement, and cost optimization initiatives across the Functional Fats business.
• Lead annual budgeting, monthly forecasting, financial analysis, and ad-hoc management reporting.
• Partner with Commercial teams on pricing, customer profitability, product profitability, and business growth initiatives.
• Manage working capital performance, including Accounts Receivable, inventory, advances, and cash flow to ensure optimal capital utilization.
• Monitor customer collections, inventory aging, financial exposures, and business risks, ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Partner with manufacturing teams in Malaysia, Indonesia, and China to improve operational efficiency, productivity, quality, and cost (QPC).
• Evaluate capital investment proposals, business cases, and strategic projects to ensure financial viability and return on investment.
• Ensure effective risk management, internal controls, compliance, and governance in line with Group Finance policies.
• Support SAP S/4HANA stabilization, enhancement initiatives, and finance process improvements.
• Lead and support digital transformation projects, including automation, Power BI reporting, AI-enabled solutions, and data analytics initiatives.
• Develop finance team capabilities, succession planning, and promote a high-performance culture.
• Act as the financial steward and final gatekeeper to ensure business decisions are commercially sound, financially justified, and aligned with Group objectives.

Skills

Business partnering

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Performance management

Education

Degree in Accounting/Finance or related discipline

CA/CPA/ACCA or equivalent

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Power BI

Job description

The Business Controller – Functional Fats is the finance business partner for the Global Functional Fats business, responsible for driving profitability, financial planning, business performance, governance, and strategic decision-making. The role supports commercial and operational excellence across manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, Indonesia, and China, while ensuring strong financial controls, risk management, and sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and timely financial, KPI, and management reporting to support business decision-making.
• Drive business performance, profitability, margin improvement, and cost optimization initiatives across the Functional Fats business.
• Lead annual budgeting, monthly forecasting, financial analysis, and ad-hoc management reporting.
• Partner with Commercial teams on pricing, customer profitability, product profitability, and business growth initiatives.
• Manage working capital performance, including Accounts Receivable, inventory, advances, and cash flow to ensure optimal capital utilization.
• Monitor customer collections, inventory aging, financial exposures, and business risks, ensuring timely corrective actions.
• Partner with manufacturing teams in Malaysia, Indonesia, and China to improve operational efficiency, productivity, quality, and cost (QPC).
• Evaluate capital investment proposals, business cases, and strategic projects to ensure financial viability and return on investment.
• Ensure effective risk management, internal controls, compliance, and governance in line with Group Finance policies.
• Support SAP S/4HANA stabilization, enhancement initiatives, and finance process improvements.
• Lead and support digital transformation projects, including automation, Power BI reporting, AI-enabled solutions, and data analytics initiatives.
• Develop finance team capabilities, succession planning, and promote a high-performance culture.
• Act as the financial steward and final gatekeeper to ensure business decisions are commercially sound, financially justified, and aligned with Group objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline & Professional qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) will be advantage
• 8–10 years of experience in Business Controlling, FP&A, Commercial Finance, and Manufacturing Finance.
• Strong experience in business partnering, financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management.
• Experience with SAP S/4HANA, Power BI, digital finance solutions, and manufacturing operations is preferred.