Key Skills

Job Description

Help drive profitable growth across a global organization At AFB International, we make pet food taste great. Our palatants help pet food, treats, and supplements deliver the taste pets love while ensuring they receive the nutrition they need. As part of Ensign-Bickford Industries, we operate globally with a strong commitment to innovation, quality, customer partnership, and continuous improvement. We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Operations Controller – Europe to support sustainable, profitable growth across the Europe region. Based in Oss, the Netherlands, this position will partner with leaders throughout Europe and collaborate with colleagues in the United States, Brazil, Thailand, and other global locations. This role combines financial expertise, business partnership, operational insight, and strategic problem-solving. You will analyze and forecast financial and operational data, translate insights into meaningful recommendations, improve margins, strengthen performance, and help guide sound business decisions across the European organization. Why join EBI and AFB International? AFB International is a high-growth global company operating in the resilient, non-cyclical pet food industry. AFB is a business unit of Ensign-Bickford Industries (EBI)—a uniquely positioned, privately held, professionally managed company with a long-term approach to business. Working at EBI and AFB offers many of the advantages of a private organization without the pressures often associated with public companies or private equity ownership. Our employees can focus on creating value, serving customers, improving operations, and achieving sustainable growth—with less time spent on non-value-added reporting, quarterly investor demands, investor relations, or Sarbanes-Oxley requirements. Unlike many private equity environments, EBI and AFB are not focused on high debt levels, restrictive bank covenants, or short-term decision-making. This allows the organization to think strategically, make sound long-term decisions, and invest in the people, processes, technology, and capabilities that will strengthen the business for years to come. The opportunity Reporting to the Director of Finance & Control Europe, the Operations Controller will work closely with the FP&A Manager, Finance Controller, and leaders across Operations and Supply Chain. This position has no direct reports but will influence and support stakeholders throughout the Europe region and across the broader global organization. What you’ll do Drive sustainable, profitable growth Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Procurement leaders to analyze, forecast, and improve financial and operational performance. Evaluate and challenge purchase price management, productivity, cost prices, inventory coverage, headcount, and other key business drivers. Monitor and improve margins through meaningful analysis, root-cause identification, and practical recommendations. Support the development, execution, and monitoring of the Operations strategy. Analyze and advise on product profitability. Report on absorption, cost evolution, productivity, purchase price variances, cost per kilogram, and other Operations KPIs. Partner with Procurement to develop and improve the Days Payable Outstanding strategy and support supplier contract discussions. Partner with Operations to improve inventory performance and Days Inventory Outstanding. Support capital investment decisions Prepare capital authorization requests supported by clear, well-developed business cases. Evaluate proposed investments from both an Operations and financial perspective. Monitor and report on capital expenditure budgets, commitments, and status. Partner with stakeholders to assess investment returns, risks, timing, and operational impact. Lead monthly performance reporting Report monthly margin performance and analyze profitability and variances compared with plan and prior year. Update and report monthly margin forecasts by category. Prepare clear reports, insights, and key commentary for the Europe Management Team and Global Finance meetings. Contribute to an accurate, efficient, and timely month-end close process. Translate financial results into clear recommendations and actions for business leaders. Improve systems, processes, and controls Identify opportunities to improve the quality, speed, and efficiency of the month-end process. Expand financial dashboarding and visualization through Power BI and other tools. Optimize master data, inventory management, and cost-price settings in IFS, AFB’s ERP system. Support the continuous strengthening and execution of internal control policies. Participate in global and local Finance, Operations, and continuous improvement projects. Share best practices with colleagues across the global Finance organization. Help standardize reporting, processes, and ways of working across the Europe region. Contribute to a strong business culture Participate in team meetings, information sessions, training, daily management meetings, and Kaizen events. Support a culture of trust, inclusion, belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement. Demonstrate commitment to safety, quality, food safety, environmental responsibility, efficiency, and operational effectiveness. Build strong relationships across cultures and functions while living the organization’s values and success factors. Encourage fact-based decision-making and constructive challenge across the business. What you’ll bring Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience may also be considered. A master’s degree in Finance and Control or a comparable qualification is preferred. At least five years of experience in financial controlling, FP&A, or a related finance role. Experience working in an international, matrixed organization; experience with a U.S.-based company is preferred. Strong experience with forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, profitability analysis, and root-cause analysis. Proven ability to partner effectively with Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and other business functions. Demonstrated success improving processes, ways of working, margin performance, and cash flow. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Experience with Power BI, IFS, or other ERP and reporting systems is an advantage. Highly proficient in written and spoken English. Willingness and ability to collaborate across multiple European and international locations. You are someone who Combines strong financial expertise with a practical, business-oriented mindset. Is analytical, curious, resourceful, and comfortable solving problems independently. Takes initiative and proactively identifies opportunities and risks. Is hands-on, decisive, results-oriented, and comfortable challenging the status quo. Can translate complex financial and operational information into clear recommendations. Builds trust and influences others effectively without direct supervisory responsibility. Demonstrates excellent listening, communication, organizational, and prioritization skills. Works well in a dynamic environment with changing priorities. Brings energy, enthusiasm, cultural awareness, and a collaborative approach. Is committed to continuous learning and sharing best practices. Enjoys working in a multicultural, international, and highly collaborative environment. Work environment This position is based in Oss, the Netherlands, and is primarily an office-based role involving regular computer work, data analysis, reporting, and collaboration with colleagues across Europe and other global locations. The role is generally performed during standard business hours in the Europe region, with flexibility required to support international meetings and collaboration with Finance colleagues in St. Louis, the United States, and other locations. The position regularly requires sitting and performing data entry, with occasional standing and walking. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Join us If you are a commercially focused finance professional who enjoys partnering with the business, improving performance, and turning data into action, we would love to hear from you. Join AFB International and help shape the future of pet food palatability while making a meaningful impact across our European and global organization. At AFB and EBI, you will have the opportunity to work in a growing, privately held company where long-term thinking, collaboration, innovation, and meaningful business impact are valued.

Core Responsibilities

Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Procurement leaders to analyze performance, improve margins and cash flow, support operational strategy, and evaluate capital investments. Lead monthly margin reporting and forecasting, translate financial results into actionable recommendations, and improve reporting systems, processes, and controls across Europe.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is required or equivalent experience may be considered; a master's degree in Finance and Control or a comparable qualification is preferred. Candidates should have at least five years of relevant finance experience, strong forecasting and analysis skills, experience partnering across business functions, advanced Excel proficiency, and highly proficient written and spoken English.