Head of Financial Planning

Pearson & Partners is conducting an exclusive search for a Head of Financial Planning on behalf of a multinational industrial group with European headquarters in Rotterdam. The company operates in over 15 countries and is undergoing a transformation of its finance function, with financial planning at the center.

In this leadership role, you will own the annual budget cycle, long-range planning, and monthly forecasting for the European region. You will lead a team of five planning professionals and work closely with country controllers, the regional CFO, and global FP&A leadership. Your output will directly inform capital allocation decisions, strategic reviews, and board-level reporting.

Key responsibilities include standardizing planning processes across countries, improving forecast accuracy, and driving adoption of new planning tools. You will be expected to challenge business assumptions constructively and deliver insights that go beyond the numbers.

The ideal candidate has 10 or more years of experience in FP&A or financial planning, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity. Experience in an industrial, manufacturing, or logistics environment is strongly preferred. You are comfortable operating in a matrix organization and have a track record of process improvement. Fluency in English is required; Dutch or German is an advantage.

The company offers a senior-level compensation package including base salary, short-term incentive, pension, and a company car. The role is based in Rotterdam with hybrid flexibility and periodic travel to European sites.