Finance Director Switzerland

We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity.  Our nearly 100k+ employees operate a network of 2,500 offices and laboratories , working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world. 

Job Description

Financial Control management

• • Ensure compliance with legal requirements.
  • Ensure accounting and reporting processes and responsibilities are established, adhered to and managed.
  • Ensure accounting controls are implemented and maintained.
  • Reviews balance sheets and income statements.
  • Assist business in budgeting process.
  • Ensures affiliate T&Cs are in line with Group Policy and watch over their implementation.
  • Review supplier payment conditions and settlement terms and address non-conformities.
  • Watch over NWC requirements as well CAPEX spend.
  • Ensure monthly, quarterly and yearly financial guidelines from Group are implemented.
  • Carry out financial analyses of performance when required.
  • Perform review of all Capex investment projects/proposals arising from business.
  • Plan, establish and manage provisions and accruals management, including authorization by business (AP and A/R).
  • Review inventory levels and recommend corrections, including yearly write-off for obsolescence.
  • Keep on top of updates regarding fiscal, accounting, commerce legislation and international regulations applying to the affiliate.
  • Support Managing Director (MD) in follow up of performance against plans, budgets and targets.
  • Ensure budgeting procedures are in line with Group policy.
  • Manage and push for improvements in Net Working Capital.
  • Ensures compliance with group and local accounting standards.
  • Ensure internal controls function in line with group requirement exist and are improved to protect company assets and ensure adherence to group standards and policy.
  • Support acquisition process including due diligence and implementation.
  • Perform any other reasonable tasks as assigned by direct line manager;
  • Manage internal audit visits, ensure preparation, supply of documents and response of management comments.
  • Ensure internal audit findings are corrected in line with time line agreed in internal audit report and ensure internal control environment amended to address all internal control points.
  • At all times, adhere to SGS safety, ethics and business continuity policies.

Business Control

Operations & Commercial

• • Ensure business control processes and responsibilities are established, adhered to and managed.
  • Communicate financial information effectively
  • Provide business with support to understand financial impacts of operational and commercial decisions (business control).
  • Enable financial assessment of drivers of profitability and their link to operational set-up.
  • Identify and communicate areas of risk – for an operation or a proposal.
  • Forecast future performance based on understanding of operational set-up.
  • Help identifying corrective actions where required (operations AND commercial/pricing).
  • Support in checking profitability in business proposals.
  • Provide robust but constructive challenge to business stakeholders.
  • Clearly communicate the financial implications of proposals.

CAPEX and strategy execution

• • Identify financial and risk issues in relation to corporate strategy
  • Delivering a workable strategic plan within known constraints
  • Ensure funding the organization’s operations is possible.
  • Effective communication of financial and risk issues to colleagues
  • Provide information to enable prioritizing of investments.
  • Support by monitoring progress against strategy (dashboards).

Change management

• • Take charge of the Finance side of business projects, as defined per Managing and business
  • Translate corporate goals into a clear strategy for Finance.
  • Develop plans (financial elements) to achieve corporate strategy.
  • Ensure deployment of Group projects

Qualifications

Education

• Financial/ Business degree, Swiss Chartered/Certified accountant preferred

Experience

• 10 years’ experience in a similar position;
• Experience in a multinational company
• Experience in a matrix organization preferred
• Must have a strong knowledge of financial accounting, budgeting, control, and reporting principles, methods, techniques, and standards;
• Leading the complete financial function;
• Must have knowledge of computerized financial information systems;
• Hyperion and HFM experience an advantage;
• Oracle Boss experience preferred;
• Experience of dealing with a shared service center;
• Must be able to travel domestically;

Required Skills:

• Fluency in English and at least one national language (German or French) is required; proficiency in two national languages is considered a strong advantage (written and spoken)
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain financial matters to non-finance stakeholders
• Proven ability to build trust, act with discretion, and maintain confidentiality
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues and implement appropriate solutions
• Ability to identify risks and develop effective mitigation measures and controls
• Solid analytical capability, including the ability to interpret financial data and prepare reports, statements, and forecasts
• Experience in executing performance management processes, with clear and measurable targets and objectives
• Ability to work independently while effectively managing and coordinating multiple priorities simultaneously
• Resilience under pressure and the ability to perform in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrates decisiveness and the ability to make difficult decisions when required
• Commercially driven, with a strong focus on competitiveness and profitability, and the ability to enhance business performance
• Acts with sound judgment and consistently demonstrates integrity in line with SGS standards and values

Additional Information

What we offer:

-Competitive salary & benefits package

-Modern office facilities (with a gym and canteen)

-Multinational working environment

As part of our recruitment process, we kindly ask that you submit your CV in English to ensure accurate evaluation.

Please note that only individual applications and those eligible to work in Switzerland will be considered.