Northern Europe FP&A Lead

Reporting to the Northern Europe CFO, the FP&A Lead is a key strategic business partner to the Northern Europe CEO and CFO. The role is responsible for driving financial performance, supporting strategic decision-making, and coordinating the planning, forecasting and performance management processes across a portfolio of 8 countries (the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, UK, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Czechia).
While the position does not include direct managerial responsibility, it requires strong leadership through influence, effective stakeholder management, and close collaboration with Country FDs and FP&A leaders, regional leadership teams, and Global FP&A.
The role provides leadership across the regional finance community by driving alignment, promoting best practices, and ensuring consistent execution of Northern Europe and corporate financial priorities. The position plays a key role in Monthly and Quarterly Business Reviews (MBRs and QBRs), forecasting, planning and variance understanding – driving, supporting and monitoring initiatives to support countries to reach their targets. The scope of responsibilities may evolve in line with business priorities and organizational needs.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the Northern Europe annual budget, strategic planning and multi-year business planning processes across 8 countries.

• Support monthly forecasting and reforecast cycles, ensuring timely identification of risks, opportunities and corrective actions.

• Deliver high-quality financial reporting, management dashboards and variance analyses to support executive decision-making.

• Develop insights into key financial and operational drivers, trends and performance indicators.

• Ensure financial plans are aligned with regional and corporate strategic objectives.

• Drive consistency of planning assumptions, methodologies and reporting standards across the region.

Strategic Business Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Northern Europe CEO, CFO and leadership team on business performance and strategic initiatives.

• Support the development and execution of the Market Unit growth strategy.

• Provide financial analysis and recommendations on capital allocation, pricing, productivity initiatives, investments and business transformation programs.

• Challenge business assumptions and provide independent financial perspectives to improve decision quality.

• Support scenario planning and strategic modelling to assess future business opportunities and risks.

Regional Performance Management

• Coordinate monthly and quarterly performance reviews with Country FDs, FP&A leaders and business leaders across the Market Unit

• Monitor delivery against budget, forecast and strategic targets.

• Identify performance gaps and support action plans to improve revenue growth, profitability, cash generation and return on investment.

• Drive a culture of accountability, transparency and performance excellence across the Northern Europe organization.

Stakeholder Management & Coordination

• Serve as the primary FP&A liaison between Country FDs, the Northern Europe leadership team and Global FP&A.

• Facilitate alignment across the FP&A community on financial priorities, reporting requirements and strategic initiatives.

• Lead finance reviews, performance discussions and planning workshops with senior stakeholders.

• Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Operations, Commercial, HR, Transformation and Procurement teams.

Executive Reporting & Communications

• Prepare and deliver clear, concise and impactful financial presentations to the Northern Europe CEO, CFO and senior leadership team.

• Support corporate reporting requirements and executive-level presentations.

• Translate complex financial information into actionable business insights.

• Ensure the quality, accuracy and integrity of financial information communicated internally and externally.

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Lead the identification, quantification and monitoring of regional Risks & Opportunities (R&O).

• Support development and implementation of mitigation plans in partnership with Country FDs and operational leaders.

• Ensure robust financial controls and compliance with company policies and governance requirements.

Cash Flow & Balance Sheet Performance

• Monitor regional cash generation and working capital performance.

• Partner with Country Finance teams to improve cash conversion, optimize working capital and strengthen balance sheet management.

• Provide visibility on cash flow trends and support liquidity planning across the region.

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Support finance and operational transformation initiatives.

• Contribute to automation, simplification, and reporting enhancements.

• Work closely with IT, Shared Services, and Regional Finance on process and data improvements.

• Work closely with Centers of Expertise of Finance to develop and implement processes, tools and methodologies.
• Promote best practices across countries and enhance data quality, automation and analytical capabilities

Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Projects

• Support financial due diligence and integration activities for acquisitions and strategic investments.

• Conduct financial analysis and business case evaluations for key strategic projects.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess value creation opportunities.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure adherence to corporate finance policies, internal controls and regulatory requirements.

• Support internal and external audit processes when required.

• Promote a strong control environment and financial governance culture across the region.

Profile & Experience

Education

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or equivalent.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, Controlling, Corporate Finance or Finance Business Partnering within an international and matrix organization.

• Experience in a complex operational or multi-site environment preferred

• Exposure to international or matrix organizations is an advantage.

• Strong understanding of financial planning, performance management and business partnering.

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in financial planning, forecasting and management reporting.

• Advanced knowledge of ERP, EPM and Business Intelligence solutions (Oracle, Hyperion, Power BI, etc.).

• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office capabilities; experience with financial reporting systems and dashboards.

• Strong understanding of accounting standards, financial controls and corporate governance principles.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• Strong executive presence and communication capabilities.

• Strategic mindset combined with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Proven ability to lead through influence in a matrix organization.

• Excellent project management and change management capabilities.

• Hands-on, results-oriented, proactive and highly collaborative.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic international environment.

• Fluent in English