Controller

For Trek Bicycle in Harderwijk, we are looking for a Controller who will be driving the future success of the Trek brand in the Benelux and beyond.

Jobdescription

You will take a talented and committed finance team to the next level, employing your first class technical and leadership skills to drive a high-performance culture: doing the basics brilliantly and adding value to your business partners through expense management, great story telling, innovative ways of serving customers and data-led, commercial decision-making.

Your areas of accountability will comprise:

• Trek Benelux – distribution & retail in Netherlands, Belgium & Luxembourg
• European Central Office (ECO) – central services, primarily warehousing, inventory management & logistics
• Trek Factory Racing – our Flanders-based UCI World Tour level Road racing teams

Reporting, Transaction Processing & Control

• Own all monthly close activities, report to Group under US Gaap within 2 days of month-end
• All balance sheet accounts reconciled and clean
• All income statement accounts analysed and explained
• Present monthly results, financial & non-financial KPIs to European management
• Own all local financial, regulatory & direct & indirect tax reporting including the Bikeurope BV consolidation (includes branches in France and Denmark)
• Line-manage a team of 6 experienced Finance Professionals
• Oversee credit control, minimising past dues and DSO
• Operate efficient processes in respect of Accounts Payable with clean ledgers at all times
• Maintain accurate product costings and be able to explain all material variances fast
• Operate strong internal controls including safeguarding of assets, and compliance with external regulations and internal policies/delegation of authority
• Manage Payroll and various HR matters

 Business Partnering / Analysis

• Own all budgets and monthly re-forecasts
• Analyse sales and margin, identifying opportunities for improvement
• Analyse and manage down Expenses
• Create compelling ways to communicate financial performance to the Commercial teams, driving engagement & profitable growth
• Support the Benelux Country Manager and European Logistics Director in driving the strategy and long-range plans for the business

• Provide routine and ad-hoc analysis to support sales and management
• Work with Customers to establish best practice benchmarks and help them to manage cash flow and grow profitably
• Manage projects & ad-hoc activities as needed
• Drive a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement

 Key Relationships

• Reporting to the Europe Finance Director based in Milton Keynes, UK and the Country Manager, Benelux based in Harderwijk, Netherlands
• Key member of cross-functional leadership team in Trek Benelux
• Cross-functional involvement in all activities of the ‘European Central Office’ providing warehousing, logistics and other services to sister companies across Europe
• Own relationship with External and Internal auditors (in Netherlands & Belgium)
• Part of global senior finance group, liaising with functional leaders in US HQ

 Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrable ability to lead an energetic, commercial-savvy team
• Financial qualification and demonstrable knowledge of regulatory environment in Netherlands and preferably Belgium and beyond
• Capable of zooming into the detail to solve complex issues and zooming out to see the commercial big picture
• Advanced spreadsheet skills – able to efficiently manage large amounts of data into workable, simple processes with built-in sense checks
• Able to provide clear and fact-based analysis to support a proposed course of action
• Familiarity with JDEdwards or similar ERP systems and proven ability to learn
• Fluent in Dutch & English
• Team player but natural leader… holds team accountable to high standards
• Flexible and positive attitude, brings energy
• Able to combine empathy with assertiveness and influencing skills
• Excellent attention to detail; tenacious and methodical
• Inquisitive and always seeking a better way, open to new ideas
• Passionate about cycling / an active lifestyle is preferable

Trek Bicycle is a global leader in the design and manufacture of bicycles and accessories. Trek believes the bicycle can be a simple solution to many of the world’s most complex problems and is committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent people from using bicycles more often for transportation, recreation and inspiration. Our mission is to create products we love and take care of our customers. We value our team, making sure the best is on the field. We value innovative ideas from anywhere, inspiring others with our positive energy, dealing with reality to make the tough calls, and getting things done fast – turning ideas into reality.