US Finance Controller, Phenol

Company
INEOS Phenol

Interested in joining a winning team? A team whose employees share in the ownership of the business and are empowered to make a difference?

• Purpose of the job: describe in 1 phrase what contribution the job is expected to make to the organization's objectives

Partner closely with Senior leaders across the US to align the Phenol financial strategy with operational goals, providing strategic insights and driving performance across multiple business units.

• Environment/Context: describe the most important internal and external factors influencing the job

Internal Factors

• Strong reliance on collaboration between Finance, Accounting, and Operational teams.
• Current processes heavily dependent on manual Excel-based reporting and analysis.
• Ongoing transformation toward digitalization and adoption of modern financial tools.
• Need for robust governance and checks and balances within financial decision-making.

External Factors

• Volatile raw material prices and global supply chain disruptions impacting cost structures.
• Increasing regulatory requirements and compliance standards in the chemical industry.
• Competitive market dynamics requiring agile financial planning and forecasting.

• Rapid technological advancements, including AI and automation, influencing best practices in controlling and reporting.

• Accountabilities of the job: describe the main results expected from the job

• Strategic Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior management, influencing decisions with financial and operational insights.

• Drive alignment between corporate objectives and business unit strategies.

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning processes.

• Business Partnering

• Build strong relationship with business leaders to support growth, cost optimization, and profitability.

• Provide proactive analysis on market trends, cost and margin developments

• Challenge assumptions and ensure robust financial governance.

• Performance Management

• Develop KPIs and dashboards to monitor business performance and lead conversations to ensure compliance.

• Identify risks and opportunities, which are shred with business leaders and ensure corrective actions are in place.
• Support or lead on investment decisions, including CAPEX and R&D projects.

• Support and oversee the monthly closing process, acting as a key counterpart to the Accounting team to ensure proper checks and balances.

• Modernization & Tools

• Implement advanced analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, AI-driven tools).

• Drive digital transformation in controlling and reporting processes.

• Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor one business analyst

• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Dimensions: Describe the most representative figures of the job (for example: number of staff, budget your responsible for, number of projects…)

Facts and Number or amount in $

• Turnover – US: $0.8 billion (2024)
• EBITDA – US: $74 million (2024)
• Business complexity: - 1 Region with 2 sites and 2 legal entities for consolidation purposes; - 2 product lines

Supervision of staff
:
Give the number of people you supervise. "Direct" means that they report directly to you.

Direct - 1

E
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Main contacts:
what are the internal and external contacts you have, necessary for reaching your results?
US Head of Accounting & Accounting Team: Daily; Drive change, Implement checks and balances, Leadership; Communication, Process Alignment, Performance Management.

Site Directors And Site Leadership For Mobile & Pasadena
Weekly/ monthly; Communication & explanation of business performance; Forecasting, Budgeting, Site performance reporting, Forecasting & Budgeting, Understand deviations and key cost drivers.

US Business Manager & US Feedstock and Procurement Manager: Weekly/ monthly; Update/Ad Hoc requests, Challenge Forecasting/Budget assumptions, Credit Reviews, Reporting of Margin performance, Forecasting, Budgeting, Credit Management.

Phenol Global Financial Controller: Weekly Communication, Ad Hoc requests, All Financial aspects of the region.

European Site Controllers: Weekly / Monthly; Communication, Best Practice Sharing, All Financial aspects of the region.

• Required profile:
• Bachelor's degree (BA) from a four-year college and 10 years' post-qualification experience, preferably in the chemical or manufacturing industry
• Strong knowledge of cost accounting, margin analysis, and supply chain dynamics.
• Expertise in ERP systems (SAP preferred) and modern BI tools.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives
• Experience with AI and automation in financial processes is a strong plus.
• Must be able to communicate proactively with all levels of management and effectively present information and respond to questions.
• Ability to lead and work in a team with well-developed interpersonal skills.
• This role coordinates the base reporting requirements of the Phenol US business units and local US plant sites. The jobholder has responsibility for ensuring system integrity and that all data is clearly understood, accurate and processed on time.
• Performance indicators: Describe the criteria allowing to measure to what extent the results are achieved - related to the accountabilities
• Statutory and management reporting obligations are met on time and to a high standard.
• Sound financial advice is provided to Controller and CFO for reporting to the Board.
• Financial Performance of the region is thoroughly reported with solid analysis and commenting on key business and cost drivers.
• Business success is evident in term of growth in shareholder value.
• Internal customers agree that financial reporting contributes to the operation of the business in a fiscally sound manner.
• Year-end budget submission timetable and reporting requirements are met.

Our culture is one of honesty and integrity with an emphasis on safety, health and environmental performance. On our team, people are acknowledged for embracing new practices that help create real value for customers.