Country Finance Director

**Company Description**:

- SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 96,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world._
- SGS Switzerland has around 200 employees in 6 branches throughout the country that are engaged in ensuring safety, efficiency and quality throughout the entire value chain._

Lead the Country Finance team to help achieve the Country business objectives with focus on both business partnering and finance governance. Ensure Finance Operations delivery with the full support of GBS Finance. In charge of managing a team of two accountants and two apprentices.

More precisely, you will:
As Finance Leader in Country Leadership team setting business strategy:

- Act as Country Finance Business Partner and assist the MD in achieving the business & operations objectives - Revenue, LC, Cash flow, NWC - by driving both long
- and short-term plans
- Lead Finance Transformation in the Country by digitalization the Finance department
- Professionalize the Finance function area of expertise to train them on leadership capabilities
- Set key business KPIs to deliver business success
- Challenge the business to drive sustainable value proactively through informed and insightful decision making
- Provide continuous future focused business insights tailored to the business needs in technical development and cash management and procurement
- Be part of all commercial and investment decision making process and ensure return on investment

As Manager of Finance Technical Excellence (align with Group Functions):

- Management of the entire financial accounting including financial statements
- Manage Country delivery in the areas of Forecasting, Planning, Analysis and Reporting
- Ensure efficient, effective and accurate Finance Operations and Procurement Processes for the Country
- Management of Budget (allocation)
- Dunning and debt collection - escalation
- Preparation of the monthly financial statements
- Preparation of Monthly reconciliation of cash positions
- Prepare Foreign currency hedging
- Coordination with FSSC for AR, AP, Intercompany and closing tasks
- Approver for payments FSSC and local transfers
- Preparation of Monthly reporting to the MD and comments to the regions
- Keeping various statistics (local, global)
- Distribution of the budget according to personnel and operating costs
- Preparation of the Investment budget
- Coordination of asset accounting with FSSC/SGS SA
- Ensure data integrity of Country financial reports (Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet) and KPIs.
- Personnel development of Finance (incl. procurement) team and individuals, enable to deliver high quality and valued service to customers
- Continous improvement of all Finance related processes, develop lean and accountable structures, encourage ownership at appropriate levels
- Preparation of provisions for Zurich entity
- Review/amendment bonus provisions and Tax provisions
- Management of BOSS daily invoice orders/print for each employee
- Coordination with iProcurement escalation and Inventory for Zurich

**Qualifications**
- University degree in Finance, Accounting or Economics.
- At least 8-10 years of finance experience in a large international company, of which minimum 3 years in a country leadership position.
- First experience in a Big Four would be a plus.
- Excellent knowledge in the areas of controlling, accounting, tax, treasury, procurement and IT.
- Strong technical skills and good knowledge of planning and reporting systems.
- Fluent in German and English (another European language would be a plus).
- Excellent communication (written & oral) and influencing skills, with the ability to challenge and drive forward change.
- Ability to build trust and respect.
- Capacity to work and communicate effectively in a multi-cultural and matrix environment.
- Aptitude to analyze complex issues, identify root cause problems and implement effective corrective measures and solutions.
- Sound analytical skills and ability to deliver synthetic and insightful information.
- Comfortable with changes and constantly looking to drive innovation and process improvement.
- Ability to deal with multiple tasks simultaneously, to prioritize, to hit tight deadlines and to work under pressure.
- Strong technical accounting and financial reporting skills and knowledge.

**Additional Information** What’s in it for you**
- Have the chance to develop and build up an area yourself
- Great benefits and a modern workplace
- Be a part of an internationally driven organization with a purpose that will broaden your horizon