Finance Controller Supply Chain, EMEA

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

What to Expect

Join our Europe‑wide Finance team as a Supply Chain Controller based in our Erembodegem office, where you will play a key role in analyzing and controlling costs across materials, freight, and plant inventories. In this strategic position, you’ll support critical decisions such as Make‑or‑Buy, strengthen supplier risk assessments, enhance reporting through dashboards, and collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and external partners. We’re looking for an analytical, structured professional who is self‑motivated and confident in managing responsibilities independently and efficiently.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyzing and forecasting material and freight cost developments, including year-over-year trends, budgets, and forecasts.

• Evaluating financial impact of cost improvement measures and supporting decision-making.

• Monitoring standard cost variances and coordinating updates with plants in line with corporate guidelines.

• Controlling inventory levels, analyzing material aging, and supporting S&OP in optimizing procurement strategies.

• Defining provisions for obsolete inventory risks in compliance with company standards.

• Coordinating make-or-buy analyses with Operations and Purchasing.

• Conducting total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses for global sourcing, including logistics, duties, and risk assessment.

• Assessing supplier financial stability using external data and balance sheet analysis.

• Enhancing reporting processes through dashboards and advanced analytics.

Keys to Success

• Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services

• Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions

• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations

• Impacts the achievement of customer, operational, project or service objectives; work is guided by department objectives