Finance (incl. Tax, Treasury, Accounting, M&A) March 4, 2025 Project Controller Columbia , Unit[...]

GEA Group; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading global industrial engineering company as a Project Controller. You will oversee project financial management, ensuring accurate budgeting and performance analysis. Ideal candidates will have strong analytical skills and experience in finance or accounting. This role offers opportunities for personal development within a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in finance, accounting, or audit with 2 years in financial planning.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to influence senior management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project portfolio and serve as financial resource.
• Analyze business line performance and monitor KPIs.
• Collaborate with project managers on budgets and financials.

Skills

Analytical Abilities

Communication

Leadership

Data Analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Bachelor’s degree in Finance

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

SAP

Microsoft Office

Cognos

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. Approximately 18,000 employees in more than 60 countries contribute significantly to GEA’s success – come and join them! We offer interesting and challenging tasks, a positive working environment in international teams and opportunities for personal development and growth in a global company.

Finance (incl. Tax, Treasury, Accounting, M&A)

Position type

Full time

Site

9165 Rumsey Road, Columbia, MD 21045

GEA Group is a global industrial engineering company and a leading supplier of systems for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. Our LPT (Liquid Processing Technologies) division is committed to driving efficiency and excellence in project financial management.The Project Controller will oversee the project portfolio for 1-2 of our project-based business lines, serving as a key financial resource for our project execution organization. This role requires previous experience with multinational organizations (preferred), managing complex projects, and applying percentage of completion accounting. Strong analytical abilities, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential for success.

Your responsibilities and tasks:

Key Responsibilities

• Establish constructive working relationships with LPT NAM Leaders and Key Business Partners.
• Coordinate with Functional Leaders and their teams to translate project plans, resource utilization, and timelines into financial forecasts and annual budgets aligned with corporate guidelines.
• Analyze Business Line performance, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue, cost of sales, gross profit, and overhead expenses.
• Schedule Project Reviews according to global project controlling guidance and proactively communicate status and results.
• Collaborate with Project Managers to:
  • Ensure comprehensive project budgets (including change orders) are updated and accurate.
  • Maintain accuracy of reported project financials, including gross margin, billing plans, overdue receivables, and cost overruns.
  • Evaluate project cash flow against planned cash flow models and escalate significant deviations.
  • Capture, summarize, and report quarterly revenue and cash flow forecasts, project risks, and mitigation plans.
  • Communicate key risk areas or projects requiring increased focus to Business Line and Finance Leadership.
• Coordinate with intercompany partners to ensure timely documentation and accounting for project-related intercompany purchases.
• Support month-end financial closing tasks, project summaries, and rolling quarterly estimates.
• Liaise with Shared Services to facilitate transactional processing, vendor invoice processing, customer billing, and collections.
• Coordinate with Accounting to ensure timely and accurate monthly financial close and ledger maintenance.
• Automate repetitive tasks using available systems and Office tools to reduce waste.
• Provide financial expertise to improve business results through data-driven decision-making.
• Continuously develop industry, company, and project management knowledge to enhance technical expertise.

Your profile and qualifications:

Profile and Qualifications

• 4+ of progressive responsibility in any of the following functions: finance, accounting or audit, with a minimum of 2 years of financial planning & analysis responsibility, demonstrating the ability to execute complex analysis, prepare comprehensive, clear, concise and action-oriented reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (strongly preferred) or Finance, demonstrating a working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and financial analysis principles (IFRS knowledge a significant plus)
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence senior management.
• Resilient in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ERP/Financial Systems (Microsoft Dynamics or SAP preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with reporting tools such as Cognos, Tableau, BW (CBI), or Power BI (preferred).
• Ability to build and analyze relational databases (Access or similar experience preferred).
• Strong data analysis skills, including data validation, query building, and interpretation.
• Percentage of Completion (PoC) Accounting experience (strongly preferred).
• Manufacturing/Costing experience is a plus.
• CPA or other finance/accounting professional certification is a plus.
• Excellent time and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple tasks.
• Strong written communication skills, including technical writing and training material development.
• Articulate and polished executive presence with strong verbal communication skills.
• Ability to think quickly and respond constructively during meetings with key stakeholders.
• Eagerness to learn and take on additional responsibilities.
• Knowledge of finance operational cycles, preferably gained through hands-on experience, a plus.
• Other duties as assigned.

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $80,000 - $100,000 per year. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States.

The pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and/or equity awards.

Working at GEA Group has significant benefits:

GEA Group is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all clients and employees feel welcomed, accepted and valued.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

GEA careers

Join a top employer

GEA is certified as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for Europe. We have high scores for Leadership, Ethics & Integrity and Sustainability.

GEA careers

A world of opportunities

We’re a global industrial engineering company and one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, and many others. GEA offers exciting and diverse training and career opportunities around the world.

GEA’s heritage stretches back more than 140 years. Today, we operate in resilient customer industries with a dedicated workforce of more than 18,000 employees and conduct business with more than 150 countries.

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GEA is one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Our portfolio includes machinery and plants as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. Used across diverse industries, they enhance the sustainability and efficiency of production processes globally.

GEA is listed in the German MDAX and the STOXX Europe 600 Index and is also among the companies comprising the DAX 50 ESG and MSCI Global Sustainability Indices.