Global Business Control Director Air/Ocean

The Global Business Control Director at CEVA France SASU plays a crucial strategic role as a finance business partner to the Global Air & Ocean Product Line. This position is key in enhancing the financial health of an extensive and complex global logistics business, responsible for maximizing profitability, financial transparency, and operational discipline across the entire network.

This role entails comprehensive ownership of the Product Line's financial management, including hands‑on responsibility for actual results, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management processes. Operating within a business generating multi‑billion‑dollar revenues, the Director will leverage advanced analytics to connect operational KPIs with financial outcomes, thereby monitoring performance across diverse regions, countries, and customer segments. This insight is pivotal in detecting margin erosion, assessing risk areas, and uncovering opportunities for financial performance improvement.

As a senior finance leader, the Global Business Control Director will guide the design, deployment, and continuous enhancement of global finance processes, standardised reporting frameworks, and analytic capabilities. They will act as the finance systems owner for Air & Ocean, ensuring robust financial governance, consistent standards across the global network, and adherence to operational control compliance to secure the integrity of financial data and processes worldwide.

In this role, you will also provide leadership to a team of business controllers across multiple locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary finance business partner to the Global Leader of the Air & Ocean Product Line, providing strategic financial counsel and insight to drive sound business decisions.
• Prepare and deliver periodic management reports combining comprehensive data analysis with clear identification of financial risks and action‑oriented solutions.
• Lead profitability forecasting efforts based on periodic closing cycles, continually evaluating and proposing enhancements to forecasting methodologies.
• Implement the Air & Ocean Finance systems blueprint with a focus on standardising reporting processes and assuring consistent, precise financial information across five global regions.
• Conduct ad hoc business analyses aimed at improving Product Line profitability and mitigating financial risks, employing a detailed, data‑driven approach.
• Analyse performance bridges and monitor customer churn dynamics, diagnosing underlying causes and recommending targeted interventions to sustain business growth.
• Proactively identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and productivity improvements within the global product line, including detailed contract‑level assessments and continuous performance enhancement initiatives.
• Support the Transformation process at both the product and finance (business control) level, facilitating smooth change management and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Lead team across multiple locations to achieve business goals.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including operations, sales, and technology to embed financial discipline and insight within business practices.
• Champion the use of innovative finance technologies and automation tools to streamline financial reporting and decision‑making processes.
• Maintain a forward‑looking perspective on market trends, regulatory changes, and economic shifts that may impact financial plans and strategies.
• Lead, mentor, and develop finance professionals within the Product Business Control unit, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all internal controls, corporate policies, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements across all geographies.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an experienced finance leader with deep expertise in financial control, business partnering, and analytics within a complex, multinational environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate outstanding strategic thinking, advanced analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. A strong track record in managing financial systems implementation and process standardisation is essential.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are necessary to build relationships across functions and geographies, facilitating transparent, fact‑based financial discussions. Candidates should exhibit resilience, a proactive mindset, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

The Director of Business Control will feel comfortable in managing changes in a dynamic environment in which outstanding communication skills are a prerequisite.

Qualifications and Experience

• A degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field; professional finance qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA, or CPA are highly desirable.
• Proven experience (typically 8+ years) in senior financial control or business partnering roles within global logistics, transportation, or a similarly complex industry.
• Extensive knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, risk management, and performance analysis.
• Demonstrated capability to manage large‑scale financial systems and process transformation projects.
• Strong proficiency in data analytics tools and financial software platforms relevant to logistics finance.
• Fluency in English is required; additional languages and cultural agility are a plus.