What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Financial Controller position at Kistler Group?
Join Kistler – A Global Leader in Measurement Technology!
At Kistler, we’re revolutionizing industries with our cutting-edge dynamic measurement technology, helping customers optimize products and processes. From automobile development to smart factories, our Swiss-designed sensor solutions are driving the future of electrified drive technology, industrial automation, and emission reduction.
The Assistant Financial Controller supports both commercial decision-making and strategic planning across the organization. This role blends commercial controller responsibilities—such as sales and margin analysis, product profitability, and reporting—with robust financial planning duties, including forecasting, investment evaluation, project financial modeling, and risk and opportunity (R&O) tracking.
As a key financial partner to Sales and Executive Leadership, the Assistant Financial Controller will deliver clear, data-driven insights that guide strategic decisions and drive financial performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Commercial Finance & Controlling
- Provide critical financial insights and decision support on revenue, margin, pricing, and product mix.
- Analyze and report monthly bookings, billings and profitability (CM1) by region, customer, and product group, highlighting key trends, deviations, and opportunities.
- Prepare detailed Sales Center P&L reports up to CM2.
- Support sales teams with accurate bookings and billings forecasting.
- Monitor performance against targets and KPIs, collaborating with commercial leaders to understand variances and implement corrective actions.
Financial Planning & Forecasting
- Lead the annual budget, 3-year mid-term plan, and quarterly forecasting processes for sales, gross margin, and cost centers, ensuring alignment with Group Controlling guidelines.
- Conduct in-depth variance analysis to explain differences between actual and budgeted results, providing actionable insights.
- Develop and enhance financial forecasting models, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with business assumptions.
- Analyze and revalue stock, collaborating with sales to ensure visibility and manage aged inventory.
- Monitor and analyze personal and operational expenses against forecasts, coordinating reclassifications with accounting as needed.
- Track and report financial risks and opportunities (R&O) across the business, offering early warnings and proposing mitigation strategies.
- Support the development of strategic planning materials, including long-range plans and growth opportunity assessments.
- Collaborate across departments to understand financial needs and develop supportive business plans.
- 3P reps commission calculation
Investment & Project Analysis
- Develop robust financial models for capital investment proposals, business cases, and strategic initiatives.
- Analyze ROI, NPV, payback period, and scenario outcomes for capital projects, expansion plans, and new product introductions.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to build project budgets, monitor spend, and report on financial progress against plan.
- Coordinate with group controlling and update the Clarity system and align the actual with accounting.
Position Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; MBA, CPA, or CMA preferred.
- 5 years of experience in FP&A, business controlling, or commercial finance roles; experience in a manufacturing or B2B environment preferred.
- Advanced Excel modeling skills and proficiency in financial planning systems (e.g., SAP, Tagetik, Power BI or similar).
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; able to synthesize complex data into clear recommendations.
- Knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting standards.
- Understanding of financial ratios and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to influence non-financial stakeholders.
Why Kistler?
At Kistler, we value your expertise and offer opportunities for professional growth in a global environment. Our competitive benefits package includes:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
- 401(k) plan with a 4% company match
- Generous personal and vacation time
Join a team that’s shaping the future of measurement technology. We look forward to meeting you!
Kistler Instrument Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.