Business Controller

Business ControllerLocation: Leiden - Hybrid working options Sector: International B2B RetailWe are currently partnering with a leading, global B2B organisation operating within the Retail and Wholesale sector to appoint a Business Controller in a newly created role within the finance team. This is a high-impact role within the Commercial Finance function, offering significant exposure to senior stakeholders and commercial leadership across multiple markets. The RoleThe Business Controller plays a pivotal role in driving financial performance management, planning, and insight across the commercial organisation. Acting as a key business partner, this position sits at the heart of budgeting, forecasting, and monthly performance cycles, translating complex financial data into clear, actionable insights that support strategic decision-making.Reporting to the Commercial Finance Director, you will be supporting the business cross-functionally including C-Suite and VP level stakeholders to make key business decisions and support the growth of the organization. Role & ResponsibilitiesOwn and continuously improve the monthly financial and commercial performance cycleLead the preparation and coordination of monthly performance review materials for senior leadershipEnsure accuracy, consistency, and robustness of data, KPIs, and financial narrativesTranslate financial and operational data into clear insights and recommendationsPartner closely with BI and Data teams to enhance automation and standardisation of reportingEncourage and implement a data-driven, self-service BI culture across commercial functionsLead the execution of the annual budgeting process, including timelines, assumptions, and stakeholder coordinationOwn rolling forecasts, scenario modelling, and in-year outlook updatesDrive greater granularity, analytical depth, and accuracy in planning processesAct as the primary finance contact for commercial stakeholders on budget and forecast mattersEnsure financial plans align with commercial initiatives and strategic prioritiesAct as a key finance partner to various stakeholders including;- Sales, Pricing, Category Management and Operations teamsDeliver profitability analysis across products, customers, channels, and geographiesEvaluate commercial initiatives, promotions, and pricing decisionsLead performance discussions with commercial teams, driving accountability and actionProactively identify financial risks and opportunities related to revenue, margin, and costsBuild and maintain financial models to support business cases, new initiatives, and optimisation projectsMonitor financial KPIs and trends, highlighting variances and recommending corrective actionsSupport ad-hoc strategic analysis for senior management and leadership teams Education & Experience Educated with a degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related disciplineProfessional finance qualification (CPA, CMA, ACCA or equivalent) is highly advantageous5-7+ years of relevant experience, ideally within an international or matrix organisationStrong background in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and commercial planningProven experience partnering with commercial teams in a business-facing finance roleSolid understanding of ERP systems, BI tools, and data analyticsAbility to translate complex financial information into compelling business presentations and reportsHighly analytical with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilityProven ability to communicate and influence senior stakeholdersStrong commercial acumenComfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving, and transformation-led environmentFluency in English is essentialMust be eligible to work in The Netherlands without sponsorship What our Client Offers:- Competitive salary and benefitsHybrid working options Join a high-performing, collaborative and international team Working within a very impactful role Ability to add value quickly, directly and work on a number of exciting projects If you are an experienced finance professional with a strong commercial acumen and are looking for a high impact role, then we would love to hear from you!