Finance Business Partner Western Europe (m/f/d)

The Finance Business Partner for Royal Canin Western Europe plays a key role in providing financial direction, guidance, and constructive challenge to the Sales team on business decisions with financial impact. This includes analyzing complex business information, distilling key insights, and developing financial models based on underlying assumptions. The geographical scope includes Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Luxemburg.

Beyond technical expertise, the role acts as a strategic thinking partner—collaborating closely with stakeholders, challenging assumptions, identifying trends, and encouraging innovative perspectives to drive better decision-making. The role requires a proactive mindset, strong drive, and the ability to support and lead change initiatives within a dynamic business environment.

Beyond its strategic impact, this position offers a strong development platform and can serve as a potential springboard toward future leadership or management responsibilities within the team.

What are we looking for?

• 5 to 10 years progressive experience in Finance Business Partnering, ideally gained over several years in a comparable role
• Experience in co-piloting sales teams
• Strong understanding of financial concepts and principles
• Proven business acumen, including market knowledge and experience in Demand Finance
• Ability and motivation to stay close to the business and its stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills with a people-centric mindset
• Background in finance, planning, or data analytics, with the ability to manage complexity
• Proven experience in financial modelling
• Advanced Power BI and Excel skills
• FMCG industry experience is a strong advantage
• English is a must, German, Dutch, French would be a benefit

What are your Key Responsibilities?

• Shape the financial strategy and define relevant targets for specific customer accounts by understanding their business models and key drivers, contributing to the development of long-term mutual P&L
• Take an active part in S&OP cycles preparation and discussions. Lead discussions to ensure consistency of recurring demand plans in volume and value. Lead process organization and efficiencies
• Monitor and manage Trade Spend budgets throughout the year, ensuring compliance and taking corrective actions where required
• Support the cluster in digitalization of reporting and create the new Power BI dashboard and implementation of new business intelligence systems. Standardize processes and deliver efficiencies
• Provide decision support for ad hoc initiatives with financial impact, such as trade investments, customer- or company-led projects, business cases and root cause analysis of performance opportunities/issues
• Partner closely with the Sales responsible during the annual negotiation process, from development through to final sign-off
• Lead investment proposals and collaborate on new business opportunities within the channel, ensuring investment level and product range are optimized to drive sustainable growth and profitability
• Promote and maintain a strong governance culture across customer accounts

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 140,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.