Would you like to step into a role where your financial insights directly shape multimillion-euro supplier negotiations? Do you bring commercial finance experience from FMCG or Retail and want to apply it in a high-impact, international environment?

Company Overview

Join a fast-growing international buying alliance that brings together leading retail organisations to strengthen their purchasing power, optimise supplier partnerships, and drive significant commercial value. Operating at the intersection of Retail, FMCG and supply-chain collaboration, the alliance plays a crucial role in shaping category performance and maximising savings for its member companies.

The environment is dynamic, hands-on, international, and commercially driven — ideal for someone who enjoys working closely with internal and external stakeholders while influencing high-impact procurement decisions.

Position Overview

As the (Senior) Business Controller, you will act as the financial backbone of the alliance. The role combines operational ownership with strategic analysis: from managing financial flows between member companies to supporting high-level supplier negotiations with robust insights.

You will work closely with buying teams, negotiate with suppliers, analyse promotions, oversee financial operations, and create reliable transparency for key stakeholders. This role is ideal for someone with strong commercial business control experience in Retail or FMCG.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Partner Management

• Serve as the primary financial point of contact for alliance member companies.
• Manage intercompany financial processes and cash-flow oversight.
• Resolve discrepancies between deliveries and settlements.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial settlements across all participating parties.

Financial Planning, Analysis & Reporting

• Build and maintain financial and commercial models supporting procurement strategies.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and monthly variance analysis for alliance performance.
• Monitor savings, cost avoidance, value creation, and commercial outcomes.

Performance Management & Data Analytics

• Define and track KPIs related to procurement, supplier performance, and category success.
• Prepare dashboards, executive summaries and regular performance overviews.
• Analyse complex datasets to spot risks, inefficiencies, and optimisation opportunities.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Consolidate financial data from various member organisations.
• Support buying teams with insights during supplier negotiations, commercial deals and promotion setups.
• Provide financial viewpoints on category performance and joint initiatives.

Governance, IT Systems & Compliance

• Optimise financial systems, tools, and internal processes (ERP / BI / controls).
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring compliance and correct documentation.

Strategic Support

• Contribute to business cases for new joint ventures, suppliers, and strategic initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for margin optimisation and risk mitigation.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a candidate who brings a strong combination of commercial and financial experience — someone who understands how buying teams operate and how value is created in consumer-driven environments.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in Business Control, Commercial Finance.
• Experience in Retail, FMCG, or a commercial supply-chain environment is essential.
• Strong exposure to commercial negotiations, margin analysis, promotion evaluation, and supplier deal structures.
• Advanced modelling skills (Excel), and experience with ERP (SAP preferred) & BI tools (Power BI).
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with senior stakeholders.
• Experience in multi-company or cross-functional environments is a plus.

What’s in It for You?

• A highly influential role at the heart of strategic purchasing decisions.
• An international environment working with well-established retail & FMCG partners.
• Ability to shape and elevate the finance function within the alliance.
• Direct impact on cost savings, commercial deals, and supplier negotiations.
• Strong compensation package and opportunities for long-term career growth.

Next Steps?
If you are interested, please reach out directly or send your CV. I will be happy to walk you through the details, share more context, and assess whether the role aligns with your experience.