Plant Controller

Do you have hands-on experience as a Plant Controller in a manufacturing or industrial environment, working closely with operations? Would you like to step into a Plant Controller role where you are closely involved in modernising a production facility in Amsterdam?

Company overview

Our client operates in the industrial manufacturing industry, supplying essential products to European markets. The organisation runs complex, capital-intensive production facilities and is currently investing significantly in modernising its Amsterdam plant, focusing on efficiency, sustainability, and long-term operational excellence.

With multiple production sites across Europe, the company combines a strong industrial heritage with a clear ambition to professionalise financial steering, strengthen business partnering, and build a solid mid-level management layer to support future growth. This is a long-term hire, intended to become a key financial pillar of the plant and wider European organisation.

Role overview

As Plant Controller, you will play a pivotal role in steering the financial performance of a large production site in Amsterdam, while also contributing to consolidated reporting across European business units.In this role you acts as a trusted business partner to plant management, operations, and European finance, translating financial data into insights that support decision-making.

This role sits close to the business and combines classic controlling responsibilities with strong exposure to investments, cost optimisation, and operational performance in a manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare periodic management reporting for the plant and contribute to consolidated European reporting (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow).

• Act as finance business partner to plant and operations management, providing value-added analysis to support decisions.

• Support the 5-year strategic plan, annual budget, and rolling forecasts for European production units.

• Analyse operational performance and identify cost reduction opportunities, efficiency improvements, and process optimisation.

• Coordinate and analyse OPEX and CAPEX planning, including feasibility studies and investment evaluations (NPV, IRR, payback).

• Prepare detailed cost reporting, product costing, production efficiency calculations, and operational KPIs.

• Review actuals versus budget and forecast, explaining variances and trends.

• Oversee inventory controlling activities, including stock movements, reconciliations, impairment testing, and unrealised profit calculations.

• Contribute to transfer pricing support and benchmark studies.

• Provide ad-hoc financial analysis and advice to stakeholders across the European organisation.

Whom we are looking for

• Proven experience as a Plant Controller within a manufacturing, industrial, or fertilizer industry environment (this is a must).

• Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 3 years in business or plant controlling.

• Strong understanding of production environments, cost structures, and capital-intensive operations.

• Experience working in an international, multi-site organisation with global or regional processes.

• Hands-on, analytical, and able to work independently while collaborating closely with operations.

• Fluent Dutch (C1 level or higher) and strong English communication skills; German is a plus.

• Solid experience with SAP (FI/CO) and advanced Excel skills.

• Motivated to join an organisation long term and grow with the plant as it modernises and invests.

Next steps

If you are looking for a long-term role, within a stable industrial environment that is undergoing transformation and investment, this could be a strong next step. Apply for the role and let's discuss further!

Robert Walters Netherlands is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.