Controller, North America

The Finance Controller for North America plays a crucial role in overseeing financial management and accounting practices of North America for our dynamic malt business units. This pivotal role encompasses managing daily financial transactions, delivering incisive financial analysis of operational outcomes, assessing the fiscal implications of new business opportunities, and innovating our processes for heightened cost-effectiveness and added value. We seek a leader who excels in communication across all organizational levels, thrives in a collaborative, team-focused environment, and brings seasoned expertise from a manufacturing background, especially in managing swift monthly close cycles. Your will act as a strategic business partner to the North American Managing Director or senior executive team, delivering nuanced accounting insights and analysis. This position requires a deep understanding of accounting principles, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to driving efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting and operations. As the Finance Controller, you will be at the forefront of our financial operations, contributing significantly to the division's success and efficiency. Your role will be integral to shaping our financial strategy and practices in a dynamic and evolving business environment.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic oversight of the North American accounting team (x Senior Accountants, x Staff Accountants).
• Lead a proactive, efficient accounting team to support sales, procurement, and operations, ensuring high financial management and reporting standards.
• Lead and develop finance and accounting staff, fostering leadership skills.
• Increase understanding of financial considerations amongst critical stakeholders in the operations and sales groups for each business unit.
• Provide timely financial analysis and evaluate business unit performance; deliver insights into the business operations and manage statutory work like compliance/internal control, insurance, and relationships with auditors and tax authorities.
• Regular interactions with support functions in the French holding company, ensuring alignment and collaboration across the global organization
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives in accounting processes and operational efficiency.
• Oversee and refine costing functions to provide accurate and insightful inventory reporting.
• Manage and strategize North America's cash flow hedges and embedded derivative programs.
• Deliver accurate, timely, and professionally presented financial reports and analyses to senior management.
• Coordinate and oversee internal and external audit activities.
• Supervise and streamline the month-end and year-end closing processes, including task delegation within the accounting team.
• Evaluate and enhance existing accounting operations and systems for improved performance and efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to internal controls and compliance with authority delegation guidelines.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES

• 10-15 years of diverse experience in distribution and manufacturing industry.
• Experience managing and reporting on cost accounting and inventory valuations.
• Expertise/experience dealing with complexity: multi-activity (Distribution and Manufacturing) multi entities, multi currencies, multi-cultural
• Proficiency in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Deep understanding of internal controls, risk management, foreign currency, and commodity risk management.
• Extensive experience with ERP systems and a thorough understanding of cost accounting principles
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a capacity to excel in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication skills, both in writing and verbally.
• Adaptability and flexibility in a changing business environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting; CPA required.
• Demonstrated experience in manufacturing and distribution sectors with multiple locations, multi-currency environment, accounts and reporting requirements
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics (D365) software systems strongly preferred.
• Proven planning and time management skills and ability to prioritize both strategic and day to day requirements.
• Self-motivated with a high level of initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to act in a consulting capacity.