Commercial Controller – Retail / Middle-East

As a Commercial Controller Retail/Middle East you will act as Business Partner to the NBU Leaders and their direct reports to deliver operational and strategic goals laid down Annual Plans and in the strategy.

You are responsible for the business controlling of the Sales execution organisation in the Middle East Region  (all channels) and you will have a strategic focus on the Retail channel for total EMEA region. In this role you will ensure an independent and overarching view of company quantitative and qualitative performance through adequate analyses, recommendations and monitoring of the execution of the strategy.

You will become a part of the Commercial Controlling Team and report directly to Director Commercial Control. This role is based in Breda.

What will you do?

• Analyse and monitor the execution of the Middle East sales perfomance vs. plan/forecast/market challenging the business on the execution through transparent performance management framework
• Support the ELT member, Director Commercial Control and  Business Partner Sales Directors and their teams on Business Areas strategy development and tracking
• Provide regular updates with regards to the  execution of the AOR strategy from Controlling point of view and come up with analysis and recommendations how to further improve;
• Responsible for coordination of all activities within his/her AOR regarding business planning and control, including strategic planning and periodic control on operational and financial performance
• Responsible for management reporting for his/her AOR towards ELT and LT ensuring accuracy, consistency and timeliness;
• Drives the budget and forecast process, responsible for reporting to the organization;

• Supervise financial forecasting accuracy, ensuring alignment with IBM process. Validate and challenge outcomes in terms of accuracy and gap closing;
• Advise and challenge the Business Areas on corrective actions in case of deviations with the AOP, conduct variance analysis against budget and forecast, presenting results as part of IBM cycle;
• Maintain, further develop and anchor relationships with all internal stakeholders in order to create awareness of  the importance of excellent business planning and control for the success of our company and to make finance integrated part of the thinking and acting of all employees;
• Co-pilot an co-ownership of business results.

What do you bring?

• Bachelor/ Master level in Finance, Controlling, Business Administration or equivalent and strongly developed business acumen;
• > 10 years’ experience;
• Able to manage a complex field of stakeholders and focus on strategic branded development of retail and tendering;
• Relevant professional experience in a controlling role in international environment, preferably FMCG / Agri / Agro companies;
• Business acumen and affinity within at least the AOR;
• Experience in leading projects and teams;
• Sound understanding of Risk management and Corporate Governance practices;
• Financial understanding, strong numeric insight & analytical skills;
• Ability to develop strong relationships and partnerships with internal customers, peers and effectively managing those relationships;
• Problem-solving, analytical and prioritization skills;
• A professional, planned and organized way of working, along with an objective and pragmatic approach.;
• A self-starter with a strong work ethic and the ability to work productively within a dynamic working environment;
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and change;
• Experience with SAP and Business Objects preferred;
• Fluent in English both spoken and written, Arabic is a preference.

We offer you a challenging job in a dynamic and growing organization in the food industry. We challenge you to grow in the same way as our company, where development is key. We thrive in a culture defined by our values: Integrity, Teamwork, Inclusion, Drive for Results and Empowerment. As we say at Lamb Weston EMEA, when we see a potato, we see opportunities. What opportunities do you see?