Financial Controller

Smurfit Westrock, a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging, operates in 40 countries with over 500 packaging converting plants and 62 paper mills. We offer an unrivalled portfolio of innovative packaging solutions, ranging from corrugated and consumer packaging to Bag-in-Box® packaging and point-of-sale displays.

As a trusted partner to businesses around the world, Smurfit Westrock is committed to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges.

With nine factories worldwide, Smurfit Westrock Bag-in-Box is the European leader in Bag-in-Box® solutions and its Vitop® tap is the world’s number one for wine taps.

Bag-in-Box® is a sustainable packaging choice for many sectors such as wine, juice, liquid egg, dairy and non-food applications such as engine oil and chemicals.

As a senior member of the Plant Excom, the role entails ensuring all financial transactions for the organization are recorded in a timely and accurate manner. You will be responsible for ensuring a sound control environment and continuously looking for improvements and efficiencies in terms of the ways of working. You will be the main contact for on-site business stakeholders and financial matters relating to our business. In addition, you will be responsible for consolidating the annual accounts.

The Financial Controller will report directly to the Plant Manager with a dotted line to the Divisional CFO.

Key competencies

• Respects and enforces the rules regarding Hygiene & Food Safety, Occupational Safety & Health, Wellbeing and Environment.
• To define and supervise the implementation of the Divisional Financial strategy in accordance with Cluster/Division and Group guidelines, with a view to supporting the business operations and results achievement.
• Manage the compliance framework at the plant ensuring compliance with SWG policies & controls. Manage Internal Audits from Group and annual external year-end audit.
• Month End Closing & Reporting including the production of the Management Information pack. Manage Year End reporting including responsibility for the Annual Financial Statements for the legal entity.
• Manage the quarterly rolling forecast and annual budgeting process comprising forecasting of P&L, cash flow and balance sheet.
• Partner business stakeholders on areas of process control, cost control and financial reporting. Contribute to the formulation of business strategies, plans and budgets and, in managing their subsequent implementation and outcomes.
• Manage the routine processes (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) associated with the Finance Functions in keeping with the standards set by the Cluster (salaries, creditors, debtors, etc.)
• Lead and coordinate the required IT implementations (SAP, etc) with the support from the Divisional team.
• Support on the supply chain side with cost management and ensuring we optimize creditor payments. Participate in price negotiations.
• Support the sales organization with pricing, cost and profit analysis and payment follow-ups
• Support operations by identifying opportunities to improve our efficiency, reduce our waste levels and reduce quality complaints
• Advise the General Manager of any cause for concern in respect of the financial figures (outcomes, trends, etc.) and present appropriate action plans.
• Periodic reporting to Divisional CFO of the financial figures.
• Manage her/his direct team. Drive consistency and standardisation of procedures and controls within the Finance Team.

The ideal candidate will have

• Educated to CPA/CMA or equivalent level.
• Extensive knowledge of US GAAP, HFM, SAP (FICO - SD –MM –PM – BI –COPA–PP) and Microsoft Office products.
• Decisive, action-oriented, and able to manage deliverables effectively. Strong sense of ownership and flexibility when operational challenges occur.
• Analytical, with high attention to detail and proven ability to autonomously manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Good leadership paired with strong communication skills (written & oral) and the ability to engage and lead people.
• Enjoys finding solutions to problems and has a hands-on mentality.
• Energy and drive to motivate positive change within the team.
• Enjoy working in a continuously changing environment.
• Provide effective, strategic business feedback / develop business relationships.

Smurfit Westrock is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, status as a Vietnam Era, disabled veteran, special disabled veteran, Armed Forces Services Medal Veteran, recently separated or other protected veteran. Smurfit Westrock also complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination in places where Smurfit Westrock operates.