Regional Finance Director

Salary: £102,000 – £114,000 per year

Regional Finance Director
Based Europe

Salary: Executive Level Package

The client:

Headquartered in the US, our Client has nine global locations, including five fully integrated manufacturing facilities in the United States and an engineering plastics compounding facility in Europe. The 2,500 employees around the world are committed to making a difference in the communities they serve and leading the development of nylon 66 solutions.

The role:

The Regional Finance Director will be a member of the Corporate Controlling team reporting directly to the Global Corporate Controller and a business partner to the European (EU) Region Vice President. In addition, the Regional Finance Director will be an active member of the Sr. Leadership Team for the EU region to help develop and execute the business strategy. The individual must also possess strong leadership ability, strong analytical skills, and enjoy a challenging work environment, including the opportunity to exercise significant initiative, and demonstrate an aptitude to deliver business solutions. S/he will contribute to the development of strategic and operational plans, and be accountable for ensuring and monitoring delivery against financial plans through targeted and comprehensive financial analytical review. The Director will also partner with the Commercial, Ops and Senior Leadership team of the region to deliver insightful ongoing business analytics, manage the annual budget process and execution of the strategy and long-range plan. This role will provide the necessary leadership to ensure that the appropriate financial infrastructure and systems are also in place for each manufacturing site, country office and regional office to support the strategic vision and mission of the organization. The Finance Director is responsible for overseeing the financial and accounting management for the region, within a flexible, team-based organizational environment across multiple locations and manufacturing sites. The role is also focused on ensuring effective tax/financial compliance, including a strong internal control environment.

Targeted Outcomes/12 Month Success Benchmark:

⦁ Improve the ongoing reporting and forecasting processes (by site and for the region) and deliver on the synergies for the recent acquisitions.
⦁ Provide effective ongoing financial insights (e.g., margin/price analysis, operations cost analysis, regional P&L, working capital metrics, etc.) and ongoing KPI’s for the region, including reporting by plant and by business segment.
⦁ Analyze and challenge the financial performance for the region, including the margin/pricing understanding cost structure, providing ongoing reporting and useful measurements to the management team.
⦁ Evaluate org structure and work responsibilities between the EU Regional team and Manufacturing sites to ensure optimal efficiency.
⦁ Grow and develop the team’s competencies and talent to enable the department to act more as business advisors (vs accountants) and proactively pursue value add improvements.
⦁ Establish timely, reliable and sustainable financial reporting processes and ensure the tax structure for the region is optimized and compliant with established procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

⦁ Provide financial advice and support to enable senior executives to make key decisions.
⦁ Analyze and report on the financial performance of the region, including by plant and business segment.
⦁ Proactively deliver ongoing, insightful financial analysis and KPI’s to enable good decision-making.
⦁ Monitor financial activities such as margins, costs, cash flow, investments, and other financial transactions.
⦁ Commensurate with the monitoring responsibilities, the Director also needs to constructively challenge colleagues and business proposals when appropriate.
⦁ Lead the regional budgetary planning process and long-range plan. Monitor and analyze monthly operating results against the budget.
⦁ Review, analyze and support the modeling of capital projects as part of the management approval process.
⦁ Assist in providing financial advice on M&A projects, manage related integration activities, and achieve synergies.
⦁ Business partner with the regional leadership team to manage costs and provide guidance for sound decision-making.
⦁ Seek out methods and practices to minimize financial risks.
⦁ Proactively pursue improvements to work processes to realize efficiencies.
⦁ Manage the preparation of all financial reports, outlooks and forecasts.
⦁ Ensure the company’s financial practices are compliant with statutory regulations.
⦁ Recruit, train, supervise and develop finance staff in the region.
⦁ Ensure strong internal controls and adherence of accounting policies, including timely completion of account reconciliations.
⦁ Manage tax compliance. Oversee internal/external audits and tax functions.
⦁ Manage intercompany transactions and transfer pricing procedures across EU legal entities and with the US.
⦁ Coordinate with HQ on projects, procedures and financial processes to ensure harmonized financial due dates and structures are in place.
⦁ Work closely with other functional areas including Tax, Treasury, HR, Legal, and Commercial to provide financial support, solve issues, and ensure effective communications.
⦁ Ensure effective cash management, including appropriate banking practices, and timely and accurate payment processing.
⦁ Promote the Company’s values throughout the region.
Team:

⦁ Peers: Tax Director, APAC Finance Director, Global Assistant Controller
⦁ Direct Reports: Team of 16 accounting and finance professionals based in Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, and France

Required Experience /Required Skill Set:

⦁ Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting. Master’s Degree in Finance or Accounting is preferred.
⦁ Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in a senior level Finance position. An experienced regional Finance Director or business segment CFO is preferred.
⦁ Chemical manufacturing experience in a multi-plant, multi-country setting is preferred but will consider other manufacturing experience that includes both costing and inventory accounting.
⦁ Deep knowledge of margin analysis, manufacturing costs, other costs such as SGA, and investment modeling.
⦁ Direct experience in integrating acquisitions, realizing synergies and re-aligning work responsibilities of the staff for the new entities.
⦁ Knowledge of finance analytics, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including US GAAP.
⦁ Knowledge of ERP systems, preferably with SAP.
⦁ Ability to analyze financial data and understand financial reports, statements and projections.
⦁ Leadership skills and management experience.
⦁ Excellent organizational and analytical skills. Exceptional communication skills.
⦁ Excellent oral, written, analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills
⦁ Ability to conceptualize and assimilate data, openly and constructively challenge colleagues, and present proposals in a clear and concise manner.
⦁ Adapts effectively to new and changing environments; and is able to work in a fast-paced environment.

For EU roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the European Union.
Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.

Offices located in: UK • GERMANY • NETHERLANDS • UAE • FRANCE • ITALY • SPAIN • USA • CHINA

PLASTICS – PETROCHEMICALS – PACKAGING – CHEMICALS – ENERGY – RECYCLING

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