Director Cost Control

With a fleet of modern container ships and a total transport capacity of 11.9 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd is one of the world’s leading liner shipping companies. In the Liner Shipping segment, the Company has around 13, employees and offices in countries. Hapag-Lloyd has a container capacity of 11.9 million TEU – including one of the largest and most modern fleets of reefer containers. A total of liner services worldwide ensure fast and reliable connections between more than ports across the world. In the Terminal & Infrastructure segment, Hapag-Lloyd has stakes in 20 terminals in Europe, Latin America, the United States, India, and North Africa. The roughly 2, employees assigned to the Terminal & Infrastructure segment handle terminal-related activities and provide complementary logistics services at selected locations.

Reports to Senior Director Business Administration

Overall Job Purpose :

The Director of Cost Control is responsible for developing and overseeing the company’s cost control systems, ensuring that the organization’s financial health is optimized through efficient and effective management of costs. This role involves working closely with various departments to monitor, analyze, and control costs, implementing strategies to enhance cost efficiency and drive profitability.

Job Description :

• Lead project to develop, implement, and maintain cost control.
• Propose systems or processes to monitor operational costs.
• Analyze financial data to identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend corrective actions.
• Conduct regular cost reviews, variance analyses, and performance evaluations to ensure alignment with budgeted goals.
• Process cost reviews linked to regional cost-saving across departments, including Logistics and Operations to optimize the cost per TEU for the region.
• Establish monthly cost reviews and support quarterly advanced cost forecasts to proactively anticipate extra costs with the operation team.
• Identify and address cost deviations in coordination with Operations and Logistics departments.
• Focus on business controlling, optimizing costs, generating additional revenues, and improving performance, including monitoring initiatives linked to other services.
• Raise alerts, anticipate risks, and provide ad hoc studies for new services/lines implementations, moving away from transactional tasks and creating value for the business.
• Contribute significantly to cost control and operational efficiency.
• Provide ongoing support and control over the P2P process:
• Cost recovery (Trex system).
• 2nd Level of Invoice Control after being posted, controlled, and paid by QSC or own offices using dashboard.
• Monitor the percentage of control of invoices and lead projects related to systems implementation.
• Support procurement and operation activities by updating all the tariffs with our vendor system for following cost categories: Terminal cost, Logistics - Feeder, and Empty costs.
• Define, review, and check standard cost.

Qualifications & Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA) is preferred.
• Mandatory minimum of 8-10 years of experience in cost control, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record in cost management, budgeting, and financial analysis.

Skills :

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
• Proficiency in financial software and tools, such as ERP systems, Excel, and cost management software.
• Strong leadership abilities, with experience in team management and development.
• Knowledge of industry-specific cost control practices and regulatory requirements.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to see the big picture while managing details.
• High level of integrity and ethical standards in financial management.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills.