Finance Controller Supply Chain, EMEA

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

What to Expect

Join our Europe‑wide Finance team as a Supply Chain Controller based in our Erembodegem office, where you will play a key role in analyzing and controlling costs across materials, freight, and plant inventories. In this strategic position, you’ll support critical decisions such as Make‑or‑Buy, strengthen supplier risk assessments, enhance reporting through dashboards, and collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external partners. We’re looking for an analytical, structured professional who is self‑motivated and confident in managing responsibilities independently and efficiently.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Analyzing and forecasting material and freight cost developments, including year-over-year trends, budgets, and forecasts.
• Evaluating financial impact of cost improvement measures and supporting decision-making.
• Monitoring standard cost variances and coordinating updates with plants in line with corporate guidelines.
• Controlling inventory levels, analyzing material aging, and supporting S&OP in optimizing procurement strategies.
• Defining provisions for obsolete inventory risks in compliance with company standards.
• Coordinating make-or-buy analyses with Operations and Purchasing.
• Conducting total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses for global sourcing, including logistics, duties, and risk assessment.
• Assessing supplier financial stability using external data and balance sheet analysis.
• Enhancing reporting processes through dashboards and advanced analytics.

Keys to Success

• Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services
• Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions
• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations
• Impacts the achievement of customer, operational, project or service objectives; work is guided by department objectives
• Communicates complex concepts; anticipates potential objections and influences others to adopt a different point of view
• Progression to this level is restricted on the basis of business requirements

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None
• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in own specialized area and general knowledge of related areas
• May lead functional teams or projects with moderate resource requirements, risk, and/or complexity
• Leads others to solve complex problems; uses analytical thinking, tools and judgement to identify innovative solution

Requirements And Preferred Skills

• 8–10 years of experience driving performance and cost efficiency within international manufacturing environments, with a focus on aligning operational execution with financial objectives
• Proven track record as a Supply Chain Controller, collaborating closely with Procurement
• University degree in Business Administration and/or Engineering
• Solid experience working with manufacturing and logistics functions
• Strong background in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), with demonstrated ability to translate complex operational data into actionable financial insights
• Proficient in data analytics and reporting, with hands-on experience using SAP and Power BI

Why Gates?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

Work Environment

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

GDPR: Gates are committed to protecting your private data. Please see below the link to our Job Applicants Privacy Statement which we would ask you to read in full. By applying for this position, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted this policy.

https://www.gates.com/us/en/knowledge-center/resource-library/policies-and-statements/gates-job-applicants-privacy-statement.html