Job Description – Global Sales Controller / Business Partner Sales

The Global Sales Controller / Business Partner Sales supports the Sales organization with transparent financial steering, forecasting, reporting, and business analysis. The role acts as a trusted partner to Head of Sales, sales leadership team and sales entities, providing actionable insights to improve performance, ensure budget adherence, and support fact-based decision-making across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and consolidate monthly business reviews for Sales management, including performance commentary, variance analysis, and key business drivers.
• Perform controlling of sales entities and monitor commercial performance against targets.
• Lead and coordinate sales forecasts, budgets, and forecast updates in close alignment with the Sales organization.
• Prepare and maintain relevant sales BI reports, dashboards, and management reporting to support data-driven decisions.
• Oversee cost center controlling for Sales entities, including planning, actual-versus-budget checks, and deviation analysis.
• Support the annual budget process and periodic forecasts for the Sales function.
• Conduct special analyses on topics such as freight, customs, and other sales-related cost and profitability drivers.
• Act as a business partner to the Head of Sales and Internal Sales, providing financial insight and challenging assumptions where needed.
• Support CRM-related topics and cross-functional sales improvement initiatives, including collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Track inventory of sales entities and accounts receivable developments and highlight risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare flash reporting and short-term performance updates for management.
• Support FTE-related topics, including workforce planning and personnel cost transparency within Sales.
• Contribute to strategic and transformation initiatives such as sales price increases in the Sales area.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a comparable field.
• Relevant professional experience in controlling, sales controlling, FP&A, or business partnering.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear recommendations for business stakeholders.
• Experience with forecasting, budgeting, management reporting, and variance analysis.
• Good understanding of sales processes, commercial KPIs, and financial performance drivers.
• Proficiency in Excel and BI/reporting tools; experience with ERP and CRM systems is an advantage.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to interact with senior stakeholders in a business partner role.
• Structured, proactive, and hands-on working style with strong attention to detail.

Success Profile

The ideal candidate combines strong financial expertise with a commercial mindset and is comfortable working closely with Sales leaders in an international environment. They bring structure to complex topics, communicate insights clearly, and help drive performance through reliable reporting, forward-looking analysis, and constructive business partnering.

VAT is an equal opportunity employer. We see ourselves as a responsible and far-sighted employer that offers not only jobs, but also career and personal development opportunities through various training programs. We recognize the value of employee diversity and provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified application that contributes to innovation, improves customer orientation and employee satisfaction. One-step in this direction is to ensure that people are recognized and fairly compensated for their contributions to the company. In 2021, VAT received the Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate as an acknowledgement for our commitment in ensuring equal pay for equal work between men and women.