Controller
Haag, St. Gallen, CH
About VAT Group
At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.
Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.
Controller
The Business Unit Controller is responsible for overseeing financial activities for the Business Unit, ensuring accurate financial reporting, managing budgets, and implementing financial controls. This role bridges finance and business unit strategy, ensuring financial sustainability and value creation within the business unit department by acting as a strategic business partner to the BU management. The Business Controller provides transparency on financial results while proactively identifying risks and opportunities across the organization.
Responsibilities:
1. Financial Planning and Budgeting
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Develop and manage annual budgets for the business unit
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Monitor budget adherence and recommend adjustments as necessary
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Support forecasting activities, ensuring alignment with corporate financial goals
2. Financial Reporting and Analysis
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Prepare periodic financial reports, including variance analysis (budget vs. actual)
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Analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify trends or risks
3. Cost Management
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Track and control operational costs
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Analyse financial performance, identify variances and drive corrective actions
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Ensure compliance with cost allocation methodologies for shared services
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Support investment evaluations and business cases
4. Strategic Support
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Collaborate with leadership to evaluate the financial feasibility of new projects or product developments
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Provide financial insights including contribution margin analysis to support strategic planning and decision-making
- Drive processs improvements and ensure data quality across system
Qualifications:
- A degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Controlling or a related field
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Enthusiasm for learning and willingness to take on new challenges and responsibilities
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Hands-on mentality and ability to take initiative and responsibility
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Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence and impact key stakeholders effectively
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Strong collaboration with product management and other departments
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Familiarity with standard costing
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At least 5 years of professional experience in controlling in a manufacturing industry
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Experience with Microsoft Dynamics ERP system is an advantage
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Experience with BI tools (e.g. Power BI) is an advantage
Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities
We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.