1353 Interim Finance Transformation Manager

About Our Client:

Our client is an international, Private Equity backed industrial group operating within the high volume consumer goods manufacturing sector, non-automotive. The mandate sits within a sizeable manufacturing operation in Central Poland, forming part of a wider international group structure.

Following a PE acquisition and post-integration transformation, the business is moving from a historically entrepreneurial operating model towards a more structured multinational governance environment. The local finance function now needs stronger performance visibility, more reliable forecasting, clearer margin analysis, and a more robust controlling model.

The assignment is positioned as a finance transformation mandate, with a strong focus on industrial controlling, SAP-based management information, forecasting discipline, budget preparation, and the design of a future finance structure able to support group-level reporting expectations.

Project Description:

The Interim Finance Transformation Lead will take ownership of a business-critical finance transformation project within a major Central Poland manufacturing site. The role requires a senior finance leader who can quickly assess the current controlling environment, create reliable management information, and help the business move from fragmented reporting towards a more disciplined, group-aligned finance model.

• Lead the finance transformation mandate, working functionally with Group Finance and operationally alongside the local finance leadership team.
• Assess the current controlling function, including people, processes, reporting, SAP setup, data quality, and management information flow.
• Build a practical performance management framework covering margin by customer, product, and product line.
• Develop clear topline and EBITDA bridge analysis, including volume, mix, price, FX, raw materials, cost variances, and one-off effects.
• Stabilise forecasting and budgeting processes so the site can deliver credible, consistent numbers to group management.
• Use available SAP data, raw extractions, Excel, and Power BI where needed to create reliable short-term reporting while longer-term SAP improvements are defined.
• Identify SAP improvement priorities across FI, CO, and CO-PA, including master data, cost centre structure, allocation logic, and operational data integration.
• Support the design of the future finance and controlling structure, including capability gaps, governance needs, and knowledge transfer to the internal team.

Interim Manager Required Skills:

The mandate requires a senior interim finance transformation profile with direct experience in operational manufacturing environments.

• Former CFO, Finance Director, or Head of Controlling background within international industrial or high volume consumer goods manufacturing groups.
• Strong industrial controlling expertise, including cost accounting, margin analysis, variance analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and operational performance reporting.
• Hands-on SAP experience, especially FI, CO, and CO-PA, with the ability to work directly with system data and identify configuration gaps.
• Proven experience in post-acquisition or post-integration finance transformation, ideally within a PE-backed or multinational group environment.
• Ability to operate pragmatically where systems, data, and processes are not yet fully mature.
  Polish and fluent English are essential.

The ideal candidate is a senior interim finance transformation leader who has already operated in complex manufacturing environments where reporting, controlling, systems, and local finance capability needed to be stabilised quickly.

• Brings 15+ years of finance leadership experience, typically as CFO, Finance Director, Head of Controlling, or senior finance transformation advisor.
• Has worked in international matrix production environments such as packaging, industrial FMCG, chemicals, materials, or related manufacturing sectors.
• Understands the realities of post-integration transformation after PE acquisition, including cultural shift, governance change, and new reporting expectations.
• Can diagnose whether performance issues sit in people, process, SAP configuration, data quality, governance, or leadership structure.
• Is comfortable working in sensitive advisory dynamics, supporting local management without creating unnecessary organisational friction.
• Combines senior finance judgement with a hands-on approach to data, analysis, reporting, and practical implementation.
• Communicates clearly with group stakeholders while remaining balanced, discreet, and collaborative with the local team.
• Has the maturity to transfer methodology, strengthen internal capability, and leave behind a finance model that can continue after the interim assignment.

Key Requirements:

Type of Assignment:

Interim

Scope of Interim Assignment:

Post Acquisition Integration, Finance Transformation

Functional Area of the Interim Manager:

Finance

Location:

Central Poland

Duration:

6-12 months

Start Date:

Why work with us?

CE Interim delivers proven executive interim leaders within 72 hours across borders, cultures, and industries. We specialize in high-impact interim management for private equity firms, family offices, and global corporations facing moments of transition: digital transformation, market entry, operational turnaround, post-merger integration, or crisis.

What sets us apart is not just the speed or depth of our network, it’s how we lead. Every engagement is personally guided by a CE Interim managing partner: former CEOs, CFOs, or COOs who’ve been on your side of the table, steering organizations through high-stakes decisions.

With a global talent pool and operational reach spanning Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, we don’t fill roles, we build trust, lead transitions, and deliver outcomes.

As part of the Valtus Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of Executive Interim Management companies, we ensure seamless international execution through 25+ offices and 80+ senior partners in over 50 countries.

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