Head of Global SAR Overhead Costs

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

We are looking for a Head of SAR Overhead Costs, who is a senior Finance leader, responsible for overseeing total Lonza overhead costs. He/ she leads all group-wide financial reporting, analysis and planning for Lonza overhead costs. He/she actively partner with business platforms and group functions.

The role is based in Hyderabad, India.

The focus of the role is to evolve his/her team, driving further standardization of the SAR cost controlling model, leveraging also further automation in order to ensure an efficient and effective service model to the Business Partners.

He/she also provides costs controlling support to the Head of FP&A who has P&L responsibility for the Holding company.

The role implies direct exposure to and regular active dialogue with EC and senior executives across Finance and business.

The Lonza Overheads costs (SAR) controlling activities are centralized, with focus on end-to-end delivery model. This team is embedded into GBSO* (Global Business Services Organization) Lonza, reporting directly to the Global GBSO head.

Key Responsibilities:

Global Function Controlling: Advisory & Process

• Be a key Business Partner of Function Heads, Platforms Heads and Budget Owners and steer decisions on spend and function related topics

• Organize, coordinate and lead short- and long-term planning cycles (budget, outlook and long range plan)

• Set ambitious but achievable guidance, drive analytics, foster constructive discussions on cost efficiencies

• Drive continuous harmonization and standardization of financial processes across functions to generate synergies for Lonza group

• Implement system innovation in collaboration with FP&A System Team

• In charge of the global costs allocation to commercial divisions

• Support M&A and divestment projects

Lonza Holding Controlling

• Provides costs controlling support to the Head of FP&A who has P&L responsibility for the Holding company.

• Monitor and report the financial performance of Lonza Holding divisions

• Coordinate planning and reporting activities

• Analyze financial results (P&L and FCF), identify risks and opportunities, propose corrective actions to optimize financial performance

Leadership:

• Lead and develop a team of ~15 controllers

• Ensure great collaboration and ongoing exchanges within the team

• Build and maintain strong relationship with business partners (divisions, functions, corporate)

• Comfortable in presenting and convincing Senior Leaders

Team and Budget

• 5 direct reports (Function Controllers) and a global team of ~ 18 members (globally)Accountable for the primary costs for all sites: ca 240 MCHF/yr

• Budget > 1bn CHF (Overheads) + Holding P&L (~200mCHF Sales)

Key Requirements:

• Master Degree in Finance and Accounting

• Highly experience in Controlling, FP&A, Audit firms, Internal Audit 

• English business fluent

• Manages ambiguity through effective communication, removes barriers and overcomes resistance skillfully

• Empowers and encourages others to bring new ideas forward and ensures learning from both success and failures

• Challenges others to work differently when the business environment requires it

• Communicates business strategy, measures and tactical plans effectively to all stakeholders and helps them make sense of complexity and uncertainty

• Acts as a key communication link between operational layers and upper management

• Exhibits a sophisticated understanding of the critical success factors needed to differentiate and improve the business in order to make Lonza more competitive

• Creates mechanisms to share information and knowledge across functions

• Exhibits skillful communication to ensure peers (and team) develop relationships across functions

• Develops inclusive relationships and alliances engaging internal and external stakeholders

• Leads and drives the identification of customer and market needs using data, research and customer relationships

• Identify and execute profitable business opportunities

• Finds the right balance between customer needs and business goals

• Ensures their team(s) support the execution of business strategy and/or specific objectives

• Anticipates and resolves challenges

• Ensures high-quality performance and accountability by gaining commitment on priorities

• Demonstrates trust through delegation and holds people accountable for results

• Demonstrates high integrity and accountability for his/her area ensuring team(s) actions and decisions are aligned to business objectives

• Provides opportunities for talent and performance development through specific and measurable actions, coaching and mentoring

• Creates an open and learning environment where people are encouraged to develop, share and grow

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.