Director, Finance Category Controller

We have a current opening for a Category Controller, Kinder & FMC and are actively reviewing applications.

As a Finance Category Controller Director you will provide strategic financial leadership across assigned categories, shaping category priorities and translating business strategy into clear financial choices, resource allocation, and long-term value creation. 
You will act as a senior partner to the Category, working closely with Marketing, Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, and executive leadership, ensuring an integrated view of performance, risks, opportunities, and investment priorities. The role will support recurring financial processes and ad hoc analyses across innovation, portfolio, and investment decisions.

•    Act as the senior Finance partner to Category leadership and executive stakeholders, challenging assumptions and influencing strategic, portfolio, pricing, investment, and resource-allocation decisions.
•    Coordinate category performance management across Finance and cross-functional teams, providing an integrated view of full P&L results, key drivers, risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
•    Own the financial direction and quality of Budget, Forecast and Strategic plan ensuring alignment with category strategy and corporate targets.
•    Guide the evaluation of innovation, portfolio choices, customer opportunities, capital investments, and strategic initiatives through robust business cases, scenarios, and value-creation recommendations.
•    Establish financial governance, common standards, and decision frameworks across categories, improving consistency, transparency, accountability, and execution discipline.
•    Build strong cross-functional alignment among Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Production, Administration, Group Controlling, and senior leadership, resolving priorities and ensuring coordinated delivery.
•    Lead, coach, and develop the Category Finance team through regular feedback, on-the-job guidance, formal training, and development plans that strengthen strategic thinking, business partnering, storytelling, and technical finance capabilities.
•    Set clear objectives and priorities for the team, allocate resources effectively, review the quality of key outputs, and foster ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
•    Sponsor process simplification, reporting enhancements, and digital tools that improve the speed, accuracy, and strategic value of category finance insights.

•    Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field required; MBA, CPA, or equivalent advanced qualification preferred.
•    Typically 12 or more years of progressive finance experience, including significant leadership responsibility in consumer packaged goods, commercial finance, financial planning, or category controlling.
•    Demonstrated ability to shape category or business strategy, influence senior leaders, and convert complex financial and commercial information into clear choices and actions.
•    Strong command of full P&L management, planning, forecasting, management accounting, investment evaluation, and performance management.
•    Proven experience coordinating across functions and navigating a matrix organization to align priorities, strengthen governance, and deliver business outcomes.
•    Established people-leadership capability, including coaching, training, talent development, performance management, and building effective finance teams.
•    Excellent executive communication and storytelling skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and present recommendations to senior stakeholders.
•    Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with SAP FI/CO and financial reporting or business intelligence platforms preferred.
•    Strong change-leadership mindset, with experience improving processes, controls, analytical tools, and ways of working.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
As part of our recruitment process, Ferrero may use artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tools to assist with reviewing candidate applications. These tools are used solely to support recruiters by summarizing application information and identifying potential alignment with job requirements. AI does not independently screen out or select candidates, and it does not replace human judgment. Final decisions regarding candidate progression are always made by Ferrero recruiters and hiring managers.

Careers with caring built in - discover our benefits here.

The base compensation range for this position is $142,016.00 - $189,355.00. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This range represents the anticipated salary for this position at this time.

In addition to base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other benefits.

Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with many iconic brands sold in countries all over the world. Find out more about Ferrero at ferrero.com.

Ferrero is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture in which all employees feel welcomed and appreciated and have the same opportunities. We believe all our people are equally talented in their own way. In nurturing the curiosity and natural abilities of our employees, we provide them, generation after generation, the means to succeed personally and professionally, enabling them to craft their journey at Ferrero. The diversity of our talents is what makes our work environment multicultural, innovative, and highly rewarding.
Find out more here.

Ferrero is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable human rights laws. Ferrero will recruit, hire, train, and promote all persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or history of disability (except where physical or mental abilities are a bona fide occupational requirement and the individual is not able to perform the essential functions of the position even with reasonable accommodations), citizenship, or any other protected characteristic. 

Ferrero will accommodate the needs of applicants with disabilities throughout all stages of the selection process. If you need accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise the People & Organization (HR) Representative. Information relating to the need for accommodation and accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.