Head of Controlling (F/H) - Sarralbe

Leach International Europe, is looking for a Head of Controlling to join its Sarralbe site and play a key role in driving financial and operational performance.

This is not a traditional reporting role. We are looking for a business-oriented Finance leader who combines strong financial expertise with a hands-on approach, operational curiosity and a high level of accountability.

The Head of Controlling will be a key partner to the Site Leadership Team, providing clear financial visibility, challenging performance, identifying risks and opportunities, and supporting management in making fast, fact-based decisions.

In a highly demanding aerospace environment, the role requires a strong focus on EBITDA, cash generation, cost control, productivity and profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Controlling & Performance Management

• Lead the controlling activities for the Sarralbe site.

• Own the monthly financial reporting, forecasting and budgeting processes.

• Provide accurate and timely analysis of actual performance versus budget, forecast and prior year.

• Develop and monitor key financial and operational performance indicators.

• Identify performance gaps, risks and opportunities and translate them into concrete action plans.

• Challenge assumptions and ensure the quality and integrity of financial information.

• Prepare management reviews and performance presentations for Site and Group leadership.

Business Partnering

• Act as a true business partner to the Site Leadership Team, providing financial insight and constructive challenge.

• Work closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Sales and HR to understand business drivers and their financial impact.

• Support operational teams in improving productivity, cost competitiveness and profitability.

• Ensure that financial considerations are embedded in operational decision-making.

• Bring a strong financial perspective to make the business more transparent, accountable and performance-driven.

EBITDA, Cost & Cash Discipline

In line with the Leach culture, the Head of Controlling will have a strong focus on value creation and financial ownership.

Key areas include:

• EBITDA performance and margin improvement.

• Direct and indirect cost control.

• Labor productivity and efficiency.

• Material cost and manufacturing variances.

• Overhead management.

• Inventory and working capital.

• Cash generation and cash conversion.

• Capital expenditure and return on investment.

• Identification and execution of cost-reduction opportunities.

The role will actively challenge performance and ensure that corrective actions are identified, owned and followed through to completion.

Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual operating plan and budget process for the site.

• Coordinate monthly forecasts and long-range planning.

• Challenge business assumptions and ensure alignment between operational plans and financial objectives.

• Monitor headcount, labor costs, production volumes, pricing, material costs and productivity assumptions.

• Provide management with forward-looking analysis rather than purely historical reporting.

Industrial & Operational Controlling

• Develop a strong understanding of the site’s industrial processes and economic drivers.

• Analyze production performance, labor efficiency, scrap, overtime, material consumption and manufacturing variances.

• Partner with Operations to identify productivity improvement opportunities.

• Establish clear financial accountability for operational performance.

• Support business cases for industrial investments, make-or-buy decisions and productivity initiatives.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Ensure compliance with Group financial policies, procedures and internal controls.

• Maintain a robust control environment.

• Support internal and external audits.

• Ensure data quality, consistency and transparency across financial reporting.

• Promote a culture of financial discipline and accountability.

Leadership & Team Development

The Head of Controlling will lead and develop the controlling team, ensuring:

• Clear ownership and accountability.

• High standards of financial accuracy.

• Strong business partnership with operational teams.

• Development of analytical and business capabilities.

• Continuous improvement of controlling processes and tools.

The role requires a leader who is comfortable being hands-on when required, while also building a high-performing and autonomous finance organization.

We operate with a strong focus on ownership, accountability, decentralization and value creation.

We expect our leaders to:

• Own the numbers.

• Understand the business behind the numbers.

• Make decisions based on facts and data.

• Challenge performance constructively.

• Move quickly from analysis to action.

• Focus on results rather than process for the sake of process.

• Maintain a strong sense of urgency.

• Protect cash and drive profitable growth.

• Hold themselves and others accountable for commitments.

• Continuously look for opportunities to improve performance.

The successful candidate will therefore be comfortable operating in a demanding environment where financial performance is a shared responsibility across the organization.

Your Profile

You have a strong background in finance, controlling or industrial finance, ideally acquired in a manufacturing environment.

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Engineering or equivalent.

• Significant experience in financial controlling, preferably within an industrial or manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of P&L, balance sheet and cash flow.

• Solid experience in budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to understand complex operational environments quickly.

• Experience working directly with Operations and senior management.

• Strong communication and influencing skills.

• Ability to challenge business stakeholders while maintaining a constructive relationship.

• Strong level of autonomy and ownership.

• Excellent Excel and financial modelling skills.

• Experience with ERP systems and reporting tools.

• Fluent English and French.

Experience in the aerospace, automotive, industrial or other highly regulated manufacturing environments would be an advantage.

What We Are Looking For

More than a technical controller, we are looking for a performance-driven Finance leader.

You are:

• Business-minded.

• Understand that Finance exists to help the business make better decisions and create value.

• Comfortable going to the shop floor, asking questions and understanding what drives the numbers.

• Analytical.

• You are not afraid to question assumptions, challenge performance and raise difficult issues.

• Accountable.

Joining Leach International Europe means joining a leading aerospace organization with the opportunity to work in an international environment while having a direct impact on the performance of the Sarralbe site.

The position offers significant exposure to:

• Senior Site and Group Management.

• Industrial and operational performance.

• International Finance teams.

• Strategic business decisions.

• Profitability and cash improvement initiatives.

• Continuous improvement and value creation.

This is an opportunity for a Finance professional who wants to move beyond traditional controlling and become a key player in the operational and financial performance of a major aerospace manufacturing site.