Head of Group Purchasing Controlling H/F

Head of Group Purchasing Controlling H/F

Job Description Job Alerts Link Posting Start Date: 6/18/26 Country: France Job Location: Suresnes Job Family: Finance Type of contract: Unlimited-term Working mode: Job Id: 53876

The Bel Group is a major player in the food industry through portions of dairy, fruit and plant‑based products, and one of the world leaders in branded cheeses. Its portfolio of differentiated and internationally recognized brands includes The Laughing Cow®, Kiri®, Babybel®, Boursin®, Nurishh®, Pom'Potes® and GoGo squeeZ®, as well as some 30 local brands. Together, these brands helped the Group generate sales of €3.74 billion in 2024.

Location & Start Date

Permanent position (CDI) to be filled as of July 1st. Location: Suresnes – Bel Group headquarters.

Your Missions

Reporting to the Group Operations Finance Director, the Head of Group Purchasing Controlling’s mission is to provide insight to the Purchasing, Finance and Commercial functions on expected purchasing cost developments, associated risks and opportunities, and the generation and execution of purchasing productivity plans. This position sits at the heart of margin and competitiveness management decisions, in a context of raw material volatility and the transformation of Purchasing organisations.

Main Responsibilities

• Produce the “Purchasing Cost Outlook” (monthly actuals & forecasts) and deliver a clear understanding of cost drivers: Raw Materials, Packaging, and Coman, with a high level of reliability and anticipation.
• Build, challenge, and communicate Risks & Opportunities vs. Budget / re‑forecast, and issue recommendations for decision‑making.
• Lead Purchasing productivity: define objectives, consolidate initiatives, track execution, and secure financial outcomes.
• Business partnering with Purchasing / Finance / Sales: provide Buyers with the data needed to drive their actions, Finance with inputs for Group financial planning, and Commercial teams with actionable insights for pricing strategy.
• Top Management Governance: co‑lead (with the Purchasing Director) the Purchasing Committee, with a bimonthly presentation of cost issues, R&O, and productivity updates to relevant ExCom members.
• Animate the network of local controllers feeding into the Purchasing Controlling team, and coordinate with regional controllers for actual & forecast plant P&L reconciliation.
• Drive continuous improvement of processes & tools (SAP / EPM, data & reporting) to speed up access to information and enhance analysis quality.

Management & Interfaces

You manage a team of three purchasing controllers covering Raw Materials & Indirect, Packaging / Coman, and Purchasing Productivity. You are a member of the Group Purchasing Management Committee and the Group Operations Controlling Leadership Team. You interact daily with central and regional Purchasing teams, Corporate & Regional Finance, and the commercial teams involved in pricing decisions.

Profile Sought

• Graduate degree (Master’s level: business/engineering school or university) in finance/management control/economics.
• Proven experience in controlling (P&L/COGS) in an international and matrix environment; exposure to Purchasing, raw material/packaging costs, and market volatility is a strong asset.
• Team management and talent development experience; capability to animate a cross‑functional network.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills; ability to turn complex data into key messages for top management.
• Excellent influencing and communication skills (regular presentations to leadership/executive bodies).
• Fluent English (written/spoken).
• Mastery of reporting and systems tools (advanced Excel, SAP/EPM/BPC or equivalent, data tools).

Our Advantages

• Fixed salary over 13 months
• Performance bonus
• Profit sharing/Employee savings plan (PEE)
• On‑site company restaurant
• Additional paid time off (RTT)
• Health & life insurance coverage
• Access to numerous Social & Economic Committee benefits
• Flexible remote working policy