Financial Controller

Company Description

Desmet is a leading global provider of custom-engineered plants and equipment serving the food, feed, and biofuels industries. Its reliable and innovative technologies transform oilseeds, grains, and tropical oils into protein feed and food, edible oils and fats, oleochemicals, and biofuel. Desmet delivers best-in-class expertise through three long-standing brands—Desmet, RoseDowns, and Stolz—with a combined experience of over 300 years. The organization focuses on technical excellence, sustainable solutions, and close collaboration with clients around the world. Team members join a company that values innovation, quality, and long-term partnerships.

Role Description

The Financial Controller is a critical partner to management , providing essential financial leadership and insights that drive informed decision-making and operational excellence across the EMASA Hub. With the business evolving, the Financial Controller also has the opportunity to shape processes , enhance financial controls, and support ongoing integration and development . By maintaining high standards in financial management, the Financial Controller enables the business to achieve its goals and deliver value in a competitive environment.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead all finance and accounting operations for the EMASA Hub, supporting strategic and operational objectives.
• Act as a finance business partner to the EMASA management team and advisor to the Managing Director.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of local controllers, fostering a culture of compliance, learning, collaboration and business partnership.
• Consolidate and review affiliate financial data for accurate reporting; analyze results, explain variances, and provide actionable recommendations to management.
• Oversee treasury, accounting, budgeting, tax, and audit activities across Belgium, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa through local controllers.
• Liaise with the holding company on corporate housekeeping, cash, audit, reporting, and finance projects.
• Ensure timely statutory reporting and compliance with group policies and local regulations.
• Assess and improve finance systems and processes, ensuring robust internal controls and best practices.
• Monitor cash positions, currency exposures, and tax compliance.
• Manage local FP&A, accounting, and control functions; oversee payment approvals and relationships with auditors, banks, and third parties.

Required Profile

Preferred Education/Experience

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration
• 10+ years' professional track record of progressively responsible experience in financial leadership roles
• Experience with current financial and accounting computer applications
• Successful experience in a people management role (proven ability to lead, motivate, mentor and coach teams to deliver high impact results)

Preferred Education/Experience

• Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant.
• Master’s Degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Experience in a project-based industrial company
• Experience in a corporate setting or CPA firm

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strong technical finance and accounting expertise.
• Analytical, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Inspiring trust and fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
• Proven leadership of diverse, multicultural teams.
• Strong business acumen and organizational skills.
• Results-driven, able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Fluent in English with excellent communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Office and ERP systems (preferably Microsoft D365).

OUR OFFER

• You will join a global market leader in an international and multicultural environment with highly talented colleagues.

• We’ll offer you a fulltime leadership position at the heart of the EMASA hub management team, leading the hub’s financial controllers and the local accounting team.

• Attractive compensation package and good benefits

• The opportunity to grow and develop in your skills, competencies, and career. µ

• Possibility to shape an evolving organization for growth.

• Apply now with CV and short motivation: [email protected]  or call Kathleen Pierco (+32(0)498/257926)