Head of Controlling

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Director at Willcox Matthews Ltd - Providing Technical & Engineering Recruitment Services across the UK, USA & Europe

We’re supporting our client, a global, leading manufacturer based in Riedlingen, who are looking for a Head of Controlling to join their growing team. The successful Head of Controlling will have extensive experience in financial controlling, including managerial responsibilities in a multi-level production company.

Job Summary: As Head of Controlling, you will be responsible for the financial controlling function, ensuring the accuracy, efficiency, and strategic alignment of financial reporting, planning, and analysis. This role involves overseeing reporting structures, standardizing data, driving automation, and providing key financial insights to support decision-making. The position also requires strong leadership skills to manage and develop the controlling team while ensuring compliance with corporate financial policies and processes.

Responsibilities for Head of Controlling:

1. Develop and enhance local reporting structures to meet evolving business requirements.
2. Standardize financial data and reporting through the creation of uniform reports.
3. Implement automation in regular financial reporting processes to improve efficiency.
4. Conduct target vs. actual financial analysis for planning, forecasting, and business performance evaluation at multiple levels (company, value stream, customer, and product).
5. Develop scenario-based calculation tools for value stream analysis.
6. Prepare financial data to support management decision-making, including pricing negotiations and internal meetings.
7. Simplify inventory valuation processes to ensure consistency and reduce complexity.
8. Recalculate standard prices and analyse population changes affecting financial performance.
9. Oversee and execute inventory assessments and controls.
10. Manage financial aspects of development and investment controlling.
11. Coordinate and communicate financial matters with the UK head office.
12. Continuously improve controlling processes and systems to enhance efficiency and business performance.
13. Lead and oversee P&L, balance sheet preparation, and consolidation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
14. Serve as a financial business partner to management, providing insights and scenario analyses to support strategic decision-making.
15. Identify and implement cost and price optimization strategies to improve productivity across operations, commercial, and support functions.
16. Deploy 80/20 thinking and LEAN finance tools to drive continuous improvement, mentoring, and disciplined execution.
17. Analyse value stream performance, operational KPIs, and capacity utilisation to provide recommendations for resource allocation.
18. Ensure financial targets align with strategic goals and support continuous improvement initiatives.
19. Implement cost control measures and identify root causes of financial inefficiencies.
20. Develop and implement LEAN costing and quotation approaches to streamline financial processes.
21. Manage financial system transitions to ensure continuity and efficiency in costing and performance management.
22. Lead, manage, and develop the controlling team to build a high-performing finance function.
23. Promote a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge-sharing, and professional development.
24. Ensure the finance team is aligned with business objectives and financial best practices.

About You:

1. A university degree in accounting, controlling, finance, or a related field (Master’s/ Magister/ Diploma preferred).
2. Extensive experience in financial controlling, including managerial responsibilities in a multi-level production company.
3. Strong IT skills, with knowledge of ERP and controlling software (MS Dynamics preferred).
4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with digitalisation and automation of financial processes.
5. Proficiency in advanced Microsoft Excel and experience of handling large data sets
6. Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken.
7. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proactive and independent working style.
8. High level of responsibility, assertiveness, and decision-making capability.
9. Manufacturing experience required, ideally within a precision engineering environment

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Manufacturing, Engineering, and Production

Industries

Manufacturing and Engineering Services