US Business Controller Manager

Overview

Partner closely with Senior leaders across the US to align the Phenol financial strategy with operational goals, providing strategic insights and driving performance across multiple business units.

• Strong reliance on collaboration between Finance, Accounting, and Operational teams.
• Current processes heavily dependent on manual Excel-based reporting and analysis.
• Ongoing transformation toward digitalization and adoption of modern financial tools.
• Need for robust governance and checks and balances within financial decision-making.

• Volatile raw material prices and global supply chain disruptions impacting cost structures.
• Increasing regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the chemical industry.
• Competitive market dynamics requiring agile financial planning and forecasting.
• Rapid technological advancements, including AI and automation, influencing best practices in controlling and reporting.

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior management, influencing decisions with financial and operational insights.
• Drive alignment between corporate objectives and business unit strategies.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning processes.

• Build strong relationship with business leaders to support growth, cost optimization, and profitability.
• Provide proactive analysis on market trends, cost and margin developments
• Challenge assumptions and ensure robust financial governance.

• Develop KPIs and dashboards to monitor business performance and lead conversations to ensure compliance.
• Identify risks and opportunities, which are shared with business leaders and ensure corrective actions are in place.
• Support or lead on investment decisions, including CAPEX and R&D projects.
• Support and oversee the monthly closing process, acting as a key counterpart to the Accounting team to ensure proper checks and balances.

• Implement advanced analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, AI-driven tools).
• Drive digital transformation in controlling and reporting processes.
• Manage and mentor one business analyst
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor degree (BA) from a four-year college and 10+ years’ post-qualification experience, preferably in the chemical or manufacturing industry
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, margin analysis, and supply chain dynamics.
• Expertise in ERP systems (SAP preferred) and modern BI tools.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives
• Experience with AI and automation in financial processes is a strong plus.
• Must be able to communicate proactively with all levels of management and effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Ability to lead and work in a team with well-developed interpersonal skills.
• This role coordinates the base reporting requirements of the Phenol US business units and local US plant sites. The jobholder has responsibility for ensuring system integrity and that all data is clearly understood, accurate and processed on time.