Senior Financial & Business Controller

Alpha Trains is working together with Bakker & Partners in the search for a Senior Financial & Business Controller.

Alpha Trains is a leading European company, specializing in passenger train and locomotive leasing.

The Senior Financial & Business Controller role is a unique opportunity to play a key role in the financial health and business performance of a leading international player in the rail industry. This is a hybrid role, with the option to work both remotely and from the office in Antwerp.

Role Overview:

As the Senior Financial & Business Controller, you oversee, analyse and report on the company’s financial performance. You will work closely with various departments to ensure that the planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes are of the highest standard and delivered on time.

You will report directly to the Head of Controlling, based in Cologne, and play an instrumental role in supporting both strategic and operational decision-making through in-depth financial analysis and reporting. With a focus on planning, scenario modeling, and performance reporting, you will actively contribute to achieving the company’s objectives.

Position:

• You will be responsible for providing detailed financial overviews and reports, focusing on planning figures with a five-year horizon. This includes developing key forecast models, conducting lifetime value analyses, and performing scenario modeling to support long-term strategic decision-making.
• In Monthly Financial Reporting, you will track actual performance against the budget, re-forecast when necessary, and offer clear, insightful explanations for variances in the P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow. Utilizing tools like Power BI and query systems, you will ensure that financial reports are accurate, actionable, and insightful.
• Investment Control and Appraisal will involve monitoring, reporting, and managing investment projects and fund flows, while also evaluating the financial viability and risks of capital investments, acquisitions, and new business initiatives to ensure sound financial decisions.
• You will collaborate closely with various departments to continuously monitor, manage, and enhance the company’s financial performance. This will involve working directly with business unit leaders, providing financial insights and recommendations that drive strategic initiatives and business growth.
• In Strategic Business Support, you will provide critical financial advice to support decision-making processes, aligning financial planning with business objectives.
• Through Cost Control and Efficiency, you will identify opportunities for reducing costs, improving efficiency, and optimizing operations. You will advise management on profitability and the ROI of projects to maximize financial returns.

Profile:

• If you're excited about the prospect of joining the team, here’s what we’re looking for in the ideal candidate:
• You bring several years of valuable experience in financial accounting and controlling.
• Expertise in planning, forecasting, and demand reporting is essential for success in this role.
• Advanced Excel skills are a must, and familiarity with BI tools is highly desirable. If you have experience with Power BI and Power Query, even better!
• A strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills with the ability to quickly grasp complex concepts and adapt to changing situations.
• Fluency in English is required, but if you also speak Dutch, French, or German, that’s a valuable plus.

Beyond technical skills, we are looking for a candidate who is:

• Mature and self-confident, someone who is comfortable in their expertise but maintains humility.
• Has a positive attitude and doesn’t take themselves too seriously; a sense of humour is appreciated in our collaborative, high-paced environment.
• Collaborative by nature, able to work closely with different departments such as legal, engineering, and operations, while contributing to cross-functional success.
• Flexible and adaptable, capable of thriving in an environment where priorities, deadlines, and business needs can shift quickly.
• Demonstrates an eagerness to fill in the gaps and has a natural drive to see tasks through to completion.
• A positive spirit with an openness to exchanging ideas and fostering teamwork.

The Offer:

At Alpha Trains they have a mission: to keep their employees happy. So they go the extra mile to make your working life more enjoyable: From fresh apples in the office fruit basket to annual company offsites, from bike leasing options so you can get to the office in style to an insurance package that gives you the peace of mind you need.

Want more transparency? Attend the weekly town hall meetings. And because they are all about collaboration, they keep their hierarchies flat and friendly.

And, last but not least, prepare to meet the most awesome, dedicated and party-ready colleagues at Alpha Trains.

Interested?

Bakker & Partners is the exclusive recruitment partner for this position. Send us your CV and cover letter, quoting the reference FIN11389, via the application button or via finance@bakker.be.