Commercial & Principal Controller - Industrial Cream

Are you a finance professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy, performance management, and commercial decision-making? FrieslandCampina’s Business Group Professional is looking for a Commercial & Principal Controller to join our Industry & Trading Finance team. This dual-scope role offers the unique opportunity to drive both category-level commercial performance and OpCo-wide financial steering.

What we ask

• Academic/Master’s degree preferred; Bachelor’s in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or similar required.
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive finance and controlling experience, with at least one role in Finance Business Partnering.
• Proficient in SAP, Power BI, Excel, and financial reporting systems.
• Fluent in English.

Skills

• Strong analytical ability to translate data into clear business insights.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Customer- and market-oriented mindset.
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a complex, international matrix organization.

Attitudes

• Proactive, solution-driven mindset.
• Structured, disciplined, and organized working style.
• Confident in challenging commercial assumptions and driving corrective actions.

What we offer

FrieslandCampina has a unique company culture of Dutch heritage and international presence. The work environment is informal and friendly, where you collaborate with passionate professionals. You will have access to training and coaching to support your professional growth, and internal career development opportunities are actively encouraged. With trust and autonomy, you will have the chance to create lasting impact, contributing to better nutrition for the world. As for the employment benefits:

• Salary between €4,478 and €6,397 per month, depending on knowledge and experience (full-time);
• Full-time workweek of 38 hours, 5% year-end bonus, 12.5% bonus, and a pension;
• Flexible working hours and ample opportunities to work from home;
• 200 hours of annual leave, the option to buy or sell 40 extra hours, and 8% holiday allowance;
• Free milk & cheese during lunch and delicious barista coffee at our headquarters.

Vacancy description

Commercial Controller – Industrial Cream

In this role, you will be the financial co-pilot for the Industrial Cream business. You serve as a trusted partner to the commercial lead and category teams, taking end-to-end responsibility for the Industrial Cream P&L. You will:

• Support long-term strategy, business planning, pricing, and investment decisions.
• Analyze sales performance, margins, and customer profitability, challenging assumptions to identify opportunities for growth.
• Lead monthly business reviews and provide actionable insights to senior stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of financial results, forecasts, and budgets.
• Build a strong cross-functional network across Sales, Marketing, R&D, Planning, and Supply Chain to create full visibility and drive insight-led decisions.

Principal Controller – OpCo Industry & Trading

As Principal Controller, you will oversee the financial rhythm and governance of the OpCo (four major categories). You will:

• Own the full planning & control cycle across the OpCo.
• Prepare and monitor targets, forecasts, long-term plans, and analyze gaps between ambition and realization.
• Develop financial models, dashboards, and KPIs that support strategic initiatives and steer overall OpCo performance.
• Provide ad-hoc analysis and decision support to senior management.
• Lead month-end close activities and ensure robust financial control of all Principal flows.

Team Details

You will join the Industry & Trading Finance team within the Business Group Professional, reporting to the Finance Director. The OpCo focuses on dairy commodities and bulk industrial products, serving a diverse global customer base—including confectionery, bakery, coffee/tea, and trading companies.