Senior Financial Business Controller (FMCG)

The Senior Financial Business Controller is responsible for providing financial leadership, performance analysis, and strategic business partnering within a fast-paced FMCG environment. The role supports commercial and operational decision-making by delivering accurate financial insights, driving profitability, improving processes, and ensuring strong financial governance. This position works closely with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, and senior management to optimize business performance and support sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities as Senior Financial Business Controller:

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead monthly forecasting, annual budgeting, and long-range planning processes.
• Analyze revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, and profitability drivers.
• Monitor and explain variances versus budget, forecast, and prior year.
• Provide actionable recommendations to improve financial performance.

Business Partnering

• Act as a strategic finance partner to commercial and operational teams.
• Support pricing, promotions, trade investments, and customer profitability analysis.
• Challenge assumptions and influence decision-making using data-driven insights.
• Participate in business reviews and management meetings.

Performance Management

• Develop and monitor KPIs related to sales, margins, inventory, and operational efficiency.
• Prepare dashboards and management reports for senior leadership.
• Identify risks and opportunities impacting financial results.

FMCG Commercial Controlling

• Evaluate promotional effectiveness and return on investment (ROI).
• Analyze channel, customer, and product profitability.
• Support category management and portfolio optimization initiatives.
• Monitor trade spend and ensure proper financial control.

Process Improvement & Systems

• Drive continuous improvement in reporting, forecasting, and financial processes.
• Support finance transformation and automation initiatives.
• Contribute to ERP and BI tool enhancements.

Qualifications & Experience

• 7–10+ years of experience in finance controlling, FP&A, or commercial finance.
• Previous experience in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment is essential.
• Strong understanding of commercial finance, trade spend management, and profitability analysis.
• Experience working in a multinational or matrix organization is a plus.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial reporting tools.
• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or similar.
• Knowledge of BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and challenge constructively.
• Strong business acumen and problem-solving mindset.
• High attention to detail with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Preferred Personal Attributes

• Proactive and results-oriented
• Commercially minded with strategic thinking capability
• Resilient and adaptable
• Collaborative leadership style
• Continuous improvement mindset

• a startup/scale-up FMCG version,
• a competency-based version,
• or a version tailored for Belgium/European markets.

Robert Walters Belgium is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.