R&D Controller

Belgium - Brussels
Umicore Battery Materials
Finance

Posted on 11-07-2024

About Umicore
Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Powering the cars of the future. Giving new life to used metals. We are the leading circular materials technology company fulfilling its mission to create materials for a better life. With ambitions like this, imagine what you could do?

About Umicore Battery Materials

We are all on the move. Umicore’s battery materials give people autonomy and connectivity. We are a pioneer in battery materials that give added range and performance to electric vehicles. Our materials also ensure longer battery life for portable electronics. To enable our customers to produce even better performing batteries we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.

What you will be doing
Umicore currently operates R&D centers for battery materials in Cheonan (Korea), Olen (Belgium) and Kokkola (Finland). Product research focuses on next-generation battery materials, including very high-nickel NMC, low cobalt NMC, manganese-rich chemistries as well as solid-state battery materials technology. The R&D controller is in charge of the budget and forecasting cycles and has the objective to optimize financial returns linked to R&D projects. You act as the key finance business partner to the SVP R&D. You will report to the Director Opex & Capex Controlling in Brussels.

 Your detailed responsibilities :

Lead, develop and control the monthly closing process

• Coordinate and review all monthly closing activities linked to R&D, PT and Engineering, accurately and timely
• Run monthly time tracking and cost allocation cycle to ensure effective allocation of overall costs to individual projects
• Standardize and streamline closing activities across different regions. Leverage GFS as much as possible to transition activities and unlock economies of scale
• Autonomously run quarterly capitalization (Development capitalization and engineering capitalization) exercise, including the review of balance sheet items
• Coordinate with MPTR controller to ensure accurate reporting of MPTR activities
• Provide necessary support to tax and TP teams to ensure effective management of tax credits and returns
• Ensure effective invoicing of engineering costs to JV’s
• Prepare monthly R&D, PT and Engineering reports

Forecasting & Performance Management

• Take the lead in the yearly IBP and forecasting exercises. Ensure data is accurate, complete and timely.
• Analyse & investigate variances vs budget. Take corrective action where needed.

Business Partnering

• Act as business partner to SVP R&D, VP Process Technology and VP Engineering. Develop and organize regular performance reviews to track performance vs plan.
• Proactively analyse results and suggest proposals for optimization.

Who we are looking for

• You combine a Master degree (Finance, Business Administration, Commercial Sciences) with preferable +6 years of professional experience within an international company in a matrix environment
• You have a strong knowledge of actual reporting, financial planning and variance analysis. Your hold strong analytical skills and have a critical mindset.
• You developed strong knowledge of ERP systems, including SAP. Knowledge of Planisware or Anaplan are considered a plus.
• You are fluent in English and have well-developed interpersonal skills.

What we offer
We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?

If my skills can help improve  battery performance, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO?