Global FP&A Operations Director

Summary

The Global Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Operations Director plays a crucial role in bridging finance and operations, providing financial insights and strategic support to internal customers, including the Purchasing and Operations Excellence teams (Supply Chain & Manufacturing) across Asia Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas. Working closely with the finance leadership, this position ensures financial integrity, cost efficiency, and data-driven decision-making to drive operational excellence.

Responsibilities

1. Standards & Policy Development
   Develop and enforce financial analysis and cost accounting standards to ensure consistency, accuracy, and alignment with Calderys’ global strategy. This involves working closely with regional finance and operations teams to standardize methodologies and improve cost transparency.
   
   • Establish globally consistent cost accounting principles and reporting structures.
   • Standardize financial policies across all regions.
   • Increase data accuracy and comparability across business units and regions.
   • Improve financial governance and compliance in operations.
2. Gross Margin Analysis & Insights
   The role ensures a deep understanding of gross margin components, offering actionable insights to enhance product profitability and pricing strategies.
   
   • Act as the primary architect for gross margin analyses, providing insights into cost structures, product profitability, and margin drivers.
   • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver actionable recommendations to improve gross margin performance.
   • Identification of profit improvement opportunities across product lines.
   • Increase responsiveness to market and cost fluctuations.
3. Strategic Support to Senior Leadership
   Provide deep financial insights on gross margins to support strategic decision-making. Work closely with the VP of Purchasing and VP of Operations Excellence to analyse cost structures and profitability drivers.
   
   • Business Partner with the VP of Purchasing and VP of Operations Excellence, providing strategic financial analysis to support decision-making and long-term planning including identification of key cost drivers impacting gross margin performance.
   • Increase coordination between finance and operational teams.
   • Deliver clear, data-driven reports and presentations to the executive team, highlighting critical financial insights and performance metrics, including actionable recommendations to improve profitability and cost efficiency.
   • Timely and accurate gross margin reporting for decision-making.
4. Regional Alignment & Performance Tracking
   Ensure data integrity, financial alignment, and consistent reporting across all regions (Asia Pacific, EMEA, Americas). Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to optimize operational efficiency and cost control.
   
   • Coordinate with FP&A teams across Asia Pacific, EMEA, and Americas to ensure cohesive reporting, data integrity, and alignment with Calderys’ financial goals.
   • Track key performance indicators (KPIs) for Purchasing and Operations, identifying trends and opportunities to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
   • Standardized KPI tracking across all regions.
   • Lead collaboration between regional FP&A teams.
5. Management & Cross-Functional Coordination
   Lead and optimize financial planning processes across finance, supply chain, and operations teams. Foster collaboration to ensure accurate, timely, and cohesive financial planning and reporting.
   
   • Develop and manage financial planning processes to ensure alignment and efficiency across regions and departments.
   • Facilitate collaboration among global finance teams, focusing on harmonized financial planning and accurate, timely reporting.
   • Streamline financial planning and budgeting processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; master’s degree or relevant certification (CPA, CFA) preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in financial planning & analysis within a global manufacturing or industrial organization.
• Expertise in cost accounting, financial modelling, and gross margin analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in financial systems and analysis software (Excel, Hyperion, or similar).
• Mandatory knowledge of SAP CO-PA and standard costing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Adapts communication styles to diverse audiences.
• Understands regional financial regulations and their impact on operations.
• Demonstrates persistence in improving financial processes and data quality.
• Communicates financial insights transparently and honestly to senior leaders and different teams, capable of translating financial insights into business strategies.
• Builds trust with senior leaders and internal customers.
• Operates with integrity and ethical financial practices.