Client

Our client is a highly successful international company operating in the distribution sector, recognized for its strong market position, sustainable growth, and commitment to operational excellence. With a broad business footprint and a proven track record of delivering value to customers and partners, the company continues to strengthen its organization and expand its capabilities.
To support its strategic development, the company is seeking an accomplished professional to join its leadership team.

Position

As the Head of Controlling, you will play a key role as a strategic business partner to the Management Board, providing high-quality financial insights and supporting data-driven decision-making. This position will lead the development of a forward-looking controlling function, ensuring transparency, performance visibility, and actionable recommendations across the business. Working closely with both local leadership and the wider Group organization, the role will contribute to driving sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Your areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:

Team Leadership

Providing leadership for a team of controllers;
Strengthening the team’s analytical capabilities and helping shape a more forward-looking business partnering approach;
Building a controlling function that management relies on as an active partner in decision-making.

Local Operational Financial Controlling

Taking ownership of the full P&L and leading the preparation of the 3-year plan, annual budget, and regular trend updates;
Leading the monthly closing, forecasting, and variance analysis processes;
Building and continuously improving profitability models by customer and business segment;
Developing cost allocation approaches that create transparency on margins by customer, order type, and product;
Turning complex financial information into clear and practical recommendations for the Management Board.

Group Reporting

Acting as the main point of contact between the Croatian entity and the Group;
Ensuring all Group reporting requirements are delivered accurately, completely, and on time;
Maintaining alignment between local reporting and consolidated reporting standards.

Candidate

Your Background

You bring at least 8 years of experience in Controlling, FP&A, or Management Accounting;
You have worked in distribution, FMCG, retail, pharmaceutical wholesaler, or logistics and understand how to manage profitability in a cost-intensive business;
You have previous management experience and a proven ability to lead teams and support people development;
You have a strong understanding of P&L mechanics across the full income statement;
You have a solid foundation in accounting principles, including local GAAP and IFRS, as well as internal control frameworks;
Experience with profitability improvement, restructuring, or transformation programs would be an advantage.

Your Systems & Skills

You have strong hands-on SAP experience and understand data flows and system logic beyond standard user level;
You are confident in Excel and Power BI and can build complex models, scenario analyses, cost allocations, and customer profitability views;
You are comfortable working with large datasets and turning them into clear dashboards and presentations for senior management;
You are fluent in English for management reporting and in Croatian for team leadership.

Your Mindset

You are hands-on and comfortable getting into the details whenever something needs to be clarified;
You think strategically and understand the business context behind the numbers;
You work effectively across functions and build strong relationships with colleagues in commercial, operations, logistics, and finance;
You approach challenges in a structured and analytical way and bring clarity to complex situations.

Contact

If you are a seasoned controlling professional ready to take on a key leadership role and shape the future of a high-performing organization, we would be pleased to hear from you. We invite you to submit your resume and a brief motivation letter in English. All applications will be handled with the highest level of discretion and confidentiality.

Head of Controlling (m/f)