Finance Director

With our Farm of the Future 2035 vision, we continue to support sustainable agriculture with a focus on animal welfare, technology, and ecological balance. We are working to reduce our ecological footprint and produce high-quality, traceable dairy products. Transparency towards consumers and public support for farmers are central. In doing so, we not only strengthen the environment but also the financial stability and relevance of farmers worldwide.

At Lely, as Finance Director, you’ll have the opportunity to play a key role in an innovative, international organization that makes a sustainable impact. This role is designed for someone who is enthusiastic and ambitious, has in-depth knowledge of finance, and sees room to learn, grow, and lead in a way that is both connecting and content-driven.

You are ambitious, forward-thinking, and want not only to improve processes but also to engage people. You create an environment where colleagues feel safe to take initiative, where feedback is valued, and where development is key. You combine sharpness with empathy: you set clear boundaries but also encourage growth and ownership. You’re looking for an organization where quality matters more than status, where you dare to lead with trust, and where you can be yourself while making a difference together.

You’ll work closely with the CFO and share responsibility for further professionalizing and future-proofing our financial organization. You’ll be given the space and trust to grow, build, and lead—not based on hierarchy, but on content, connection, and decisiveness.

What you’ll do:

• Lead various finance teams within Group Reporting, Treasury, Finance Operations, Control & Analytics, and Business Partnering
• Translate strategy into execution, with a sharp eye for simplicity, scalability, and impact
• Help define and realize a future-oriented financial course
• Serve as a sparring partner for the Board and stakeholders, guiding well-founded, data-driven decision-making
• Optimize and improve financial processes, systems, and reporting by closely collaborating with the other Shared Services directors from HR and IT, with a strong focus on data integrity and the management of Master Data across functions.
• Integrate ESG criteria into financial thinking and contribute to our societal impact
• Build a culture of trust, ownership, and continuous improvement, inspired by secure base leadership

Wat is jouw ervaring?

• A passion for finance demonstrated through both academic achievements and professional experience
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in an international, innovative environment
• Leadership experience with a focus on team development and inclusivity
• Experience in similar senior financial roles, preferably involving significant organizational transactions
• A hands-on approach and motivation from tackling challenging, in-depth work
• The ability to convey complex concepts simply and communicate effectively at all levels of the organization
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data-driven decision-making
• Fluent in English and preferably Dutch
• Excellent stakeholder skills
• Affinity with technology, sustainability, and the agricultural sector is a plus; affinity with systems and IT is also an important factor

What you’ll be part of:
Lely’s culture is both pragmatic and intellectually stimulating. We love smart solutions but also rolling up our sleeves together. We trust each other’s expertise and don’t look for external consultants if we can solve it internally. Humor, sharpness, and collaboration are central. Here, you’ll meet people who are not only smart but also enjoy what they do. And that’s exactly why you can excel here—while staying true to yourself.

Does this sound like your next step?
Lely believes in the power of diversity and new leadership. We welcome all types of people which means we are also very open for female applicants and people with diverse cultural backgrounds.

Wat bieden wij jou?

Working at Lely means contributing to sustainable progress within one of the most innovative organizations in the Netherlands. You’ll help make the agricultural sector future-proof — and we’ll ensure you have the space, resources, and support to do so.

• An international work environment with room for initiative and entrepreneurship.
• Excellent secondary benefits, including up to 7 weeks of vacation per year and a solid pension scheme.
• Strong growth opportunities: you’re in control of your development and can choose from various training programs via our Lely Academy — from personal development to role-specific courses.
• Our modern Lely Campus offers daily access to extensive sports facilities: an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, basketball and volleyball courts, table tennis, and table football. You can join Hyrox workouts or sign up for personal training — and challenge your colleagues during an active break.
• Enjoy fresh coffee and tea from our in-house barista, with milk straight from our own farm, and a healthy, affordable company restaurant.
• A healthy work-life balance thanks to our hybrid work policy: you’ll work on campus three to four days a week, with flexible hours and plenty of opportunity to spend extra time on-site (between 06:00 and 20:00).
• Successes are meant to be celebrated: from anniversaries to Christmas parties — at Lely, we know how to do it right!

We are also proud that our efforts and vision have been rewarded by winning the Rotterdam Entrepreneur Award 2025!

Over Lely

Lely, founded in 1948, is committed to a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable future in agriculture. Taking the challenges of the farmer and the needs of the cow as our starting point, we develop high-quality robots and data systems that improve animal welfare, flexibility, and productivity on dairy farms. Our goal is to support sustainable food production.

For over 30 years, we have been a global leader in the sales and service of automated systems for successive generations of dairy farmers. Every day, we inspire our colleagues to offer customers innovative solutions and to be a reliable partner for long-term advice and support. With our state-of-the-art Lely Campus in Maassluis and a global network of dedicated Lely Centers for tailored sales and service, Lely operates in more than fifty countries.