Business Controller - Product Operations

Business Controller – Product Flow Governance

As part of strengthening its Controlling team, Maison Margiela is looking for a Business Controller – Product Flow Governance. This newly created role reflects the Maison’s commitment to deepening operational controlling capabilities and building closer alignment between Finance and the business functions at HQ. The role combines operational controlling and product flow governance with broader business controlling responsibilities. While ensuring robust inventory controls and traceability across HQ functions, the position also contributes to financial planning, cost monitoring and business performance analysis. This is not a purely analytical position. The successful candidate will act as a true operational facilitator – someone with the credibility and cross‑functional authority to align teams, enforce procedures, and drive process improvements on the ground, working daily with Logistics, Studio, Merchandising, Showroom, Sales, and Press Office.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Oversight of HQ Product Flows
   • Supervise all garment movement flows within HQ, including extraordinary movements (press gifts, loans, archive transfers).
   • Monitor the correct and consistent application of operating procedures across all functions.
   • Ensure that all operational transactions are properly recorded in the relevant accounting warehouses and systems.
   • Maintain alignment with Logistics at each checkpoint stage during internal transfers between functions.
2. Inventory Control & Stock Monitoring
   • Track sample collection production orders versus budget by destination and entity.
   • Monitor stock levels and flag discrepancies between physical and accounting positions in a timely manner.
   • Define and coordinate periodic physical inventory counts at the various HQ functions, together with Logistics.
   • Identify and investigate inventory variances, analyse root causes, and drive corrective actions with the relevant teams.
3. Process Improvement & Internal Controls
   • Identify operational anomalies and risk areas across HQ flows and consider concrete recommendations.
   • Lead diagnostic analyses on the operational processes of the teams involved (Logistics, Merchandising, Showroom, Press Office, Studio).
   • Propose and support the implementation of process improvements and stronger internal control frameworks.
   • Ensure compliance with internally agreed procedures and promote accountability across the functions.
4. Reporting & Controlling Support
   • Produce dashboards and KPIs providing visibility on HQ product movement activity and inventory status.
   • Prepare reliable and timely financial and operational reports for the relevant stakeholders.
   • Translate operational findings into clear financial impact assessments to support decision‑making.
   • Contribute to the evolution of controlling towards a process‑oriented and risk‑prevention approach.
5. Financial Planning & Business Partnering
   • Support the preparation of budgets, forecasts and business plans for selected HQ functions.
   • Monitor departmental costs and analyse variances versus budget.
   • Provide financial insights and recommendations to operational stakeholders.
   • Participate in ad‑hoc analyses and cross‑functional projects supporting management decision‑making.
   • Act as a business partner between Finance and the operational teams under his/her scope.

Candidate Profile

• Master's degree in Finance, Controlling, Audit, or Economics (ESC, MSG, MSTCF, or equivalent).
• 3‑5 years of experience in controlling, inventory control, operational finance or business partnering roles; exposure to stock governance and warehouse processes strongly preferred.
• Prior exposure to internal audit or operational consulting is a plus.
• Experience in the fashion or luxury sector strongly preferred.
• Strong operational mindset: comfortable working on the ground, not just from behind a desk.
• Cross‑functional credibility and interpersonal skills to coordinate and challenge teams at all levels.
• Perceived as a facilitator, not a “controller” – someone who builds relationships and earns authority through competence.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel. Knowledge of an ERP (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) is a plus.
• Proactive, rigorous, and results‑oriented; able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and demanding environment.
• Fluent in French & English mandatory and/or Italian an advantage.

Annual gross compensation package ranging from €50K to €60K, depending on profile and experience. In addition: profit‑sharing and incentive bonuses based on company performance, as well as other group benefits.