Controller/in Business (m/f/d) – COGS & Cost Control

We are looking for a Regional Business Controller (m/f/d) to drive cost transparency and performance steering across our German business units during an exciting integration and scale-up phase.
The focus of this role is on COGS, OPEX, budgeting and working capital, supporting operational leaders with strong analytical insights and hands-on controlling.

Location: Düsseldorf (hybrid: 4 days office / 1 day home office) with occasional travel within Germany.

• Build a consistent COGS view across German business units (materials, packaging, production, logistics)

• Analyze cost deviations vs. Budget / Forecast / Previous Year and identify key cost drivers

• Challenge Operations and BU leads on cost development and support performance improvement initiatives

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Coordinate German budget and forecast processes across business units

• Ensure clean assumptions, clear cost ownership and timely reforecasting

• Implement pragmatic budget vs. actual tracking to prevent overruns

Analytics & Reporting

• Improve analytical reporting on top of ERP and accounting systems

• Support KPI, cost structure and reporting harmonization

• Work closely with Group Data Analyst, Group Business Controller and Accounting teams

Working Capital Steering

• Drive inventory transparency and cash impact monitoring

• Support AR/AP steering together with the Finance Director Germany

• Act as a right hand to the Finance Director Germany on working capital topics

• 3–6 years of experience in Business Controlling, Operations Controlling or Business Analysis

• Experience in a dynamic environment such as PE-backed, scale-up or integration-driven companies

• Exposure to multi-entity or multi-business unit setups

• Background in cost- and inventory-heavy industries (FMCG, production, logistics)

Skills & Tools

• Strong Excel and analytical structuring skills

• Solid understanding of ERP systems and financial processes

• First experience with BI tools (Power BI is a plus)

• Ability to translate numbers into actions and business steering

Mindset

We are looking for a hands-on, pragmatic and execution-oriented profile. You are comfortable with ambiguity and change, willing to challenge cost owners constructively, and see controlling as business steering, not policing.

• Being part of a fast-growing, entrepreneurial company in one of the most exciting FMCG segments (premium pet food)

• A key finance role with strong impact on cost transparency, performance steering and business integration

• Attractive career development opportunities with clear growth potential within the organization

• Competitive salary package including benefits

• Hybrid working model: 4 days office / 1 day home office in Düsseldorf

• Collaboration with international teams and exposure to a PE-backed scale-up environment