Senior Business Controller — Manufacturing
As Senior Business Controller, you'll play a pivotal role in driving the financial and operational success of our manufacturing business unit. You will act as a trusted sparring partner for the business unit VP and management team, ensuring decisions are backed by robust analysis, accurate forecasting, and clear strategic insight. Your contributions go beyond finance: you will challenge assumptions, highlight risks and opportunities, and help shape the long-term performance of the business unit within the wider company strategy. Your insights will directly influence investment decisions, pricing strategy, production efficiency, and profitability.
Job description
This is not a back-office finance role. This is a strategic, high-visibility position for a finance leader who wants to challenge, shape, and accelerate a manufacturing business from the inside out.
What you will do
Strategic partnering
- Act as a key member of the business unit’s management team, actively contributing to strategic discussions and business decisions
- Challenge the team constructively, bringing data-driven perspectives to optimize performance and guide direction
Financial planning and analysis
- Lead the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and strategic plans, ensuring alignment with business objectives
- Provide in-depth performance analysis, variance reporting, and actionable recommendations
Operational performance management
- Collaborate with operations and sales teams to translate financial insights into tangible improvements in efficiency, quality, and profitability
- Monitor production cost structures and identify opportunities for cost reduction or productivity gains
Risk management
- Identify financial and operational risks, propose mitigation actions, and monitor implementation
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, corporate policies, and relevant regulations
Business case development
- Prepare and evaluate investment proposals, capital expenditure requests, and new business opportunities
- Provide scenario analysis to assess impacts on profitability and cash flow
Team effort
- You have a seat at the management table with direct influence over the business unit’s strategy and performance
- You work in tandem with an experienced business controller
- You are part of the Global FP&A team reporting to the Group Controller, all located in Leuven
Your profile
Education and experience:
- Master’s degree in finance, economics, business administration, or a related field
- At least 10 years of experience in financial controlling, preferably with manufacturing or industrial sector experience
Skills and competencies
- Strong analytical capability with a hands-on approach to problem-solving
- Excellent business acumen and ability to understand operational drivers
- Skilled communicator able to influence senior stakeholders and defend financial perspectives
- Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Excel/analytics tools
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced industrial setting
- IFRS knowledge: familiarity with IFRS is a plus
Personal attributes
- Able to cut through complexity and present financial insights with clarity and conviction
- Comfortable in a challenger role — confident to question and push for the best outcomes
- Collaborative mindset with strong relationship-building skills
- You are fluent in Dutch and English
- IFRS and SOX knowledge is a plus
What we offer
Healthy life-work balance
When creating a better and healthier world, a good place to start is with yourself. That's why we encourage our employees to prioritize their overall well-being, fostering physical fitness, mental resilience, and social connections through a range of workshops, sports activities, and other events and initiatives that contribute to a balanced and fulfilling work-life harmony.
Hybrid working & flexibility
At Materialise, we value the power of in-person connections and the advantages of remote work, allowing our employees the flexibility to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can work remotely up to 60% of the time and work flexible hours, depending on your particular role.
Personal growth and career advancement
At Materialise, we’re committed to nurturing the professional development of our employees. We invest in our passionate people and empower them to explore and grow by offering diverse career paths that capitalize on their talents. Plus, we offer courses, external coaching programs, and in-house mentoring so that our employees can fulfill their potential.
Team building
We cultivate a positive work culture so our employees have an enjoyable professional environment. Collaboration is key, so we organize activities that unite our employees, such as after-work events and team lunches. We want all our staff to feel connected in an environment that promotes strong bonds based on trust, respect, empathy, and friendship.
Innovation is key
Innovation is not just a buzzword at Materialise; it's at the core of what we do. As pioneers in our industry, we create cutting-edge solutions, fostering an environment that supports and rewards ingenuity and leadership. We’re dedicated to shaping the future of 3D printing, recognizing and celebrating the creative spirit within all our global innovators.
Healthy life-work balance
When creating a better and healthier world, a good place to start is with yourself. That's why we encourage our employees to prioritize their overall well-being, fostering physical fitness, mental resilience, and social connections through a range of workshops, sports activities, and other events and initiatives that contribute to a balanced and fulfilling work-life harmony.
Hybrid working & flexibility
At Materialise, we value the power of in-person connections and the advantages of remote work, allowing our employees the flexibility to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can work remotely up to 60% of the time and work flexible hours, depending on your particular role.
Personal growth and career advancement
At Materialise, we’re committed to nurturing the professional development of our employees. We invest in our passionate people and empower them to explore and grow by offering diverse career paths that capitalize on their talents. Plus, we offer courses, external coaching programs, and in-house mentoring so that our employees can fulfill their potential.
Team building
We cultivate a positive work culture so our employees have an enjoyable professional environment. Collaboration is key, so we organize activities that unite our employees, such as after-work events and team lunches. We want all our staff to feel connected in an environment that promotes strong bonds based on trust, respect, empathy, and friendship.
Innovation is key
Innovation is not just a buzzword at Materialise; it's at the core of what we do. As pioneers in our industry, we create cutting-edge solutions, fostering an environment that supports and rewards ingenuity and leadership. We’re dedicated to shaping the future of 3D printing, recognizing and celebrating the creative spirit within all our global innovators.
Location and type of contract
- Leuven, Belgium
- Full-time
- Hybrid
- Mid-senior level
- CV in English
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Working at Materialise
Materialise is a dynamic, international high-tech company, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Belgium, with over 2,300 employees worldwide. Materialise’s mission is to innovate for a better and healthier world through its software and hardware infrastructure and in-depth knowledge of additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing). Our customers are in diverse industries, such as automotive, aerospace, medical, research, and academia.
As a growing company, Materialise is always looking for enthusiastic professionals who want to work in an environment full of revolutionary technology and surrounded by people passionate about their work.