CASE STUDY 
Regional Controlling Manager 

Brief

Our client, a global plastics manufacturer, specializing in supplying exterior parts to the automotive industry as well as other industrial sectors, had an urgent need for a Regional Controlling Manager. The role, based in Germany, would oversee controlling operations across three locations in Germany and one in China. The position had been vacant for some time, making it a priority to find a highly qualified candidate who could manage the complexities of international operations. The challenge was to find someone with the right mix of controlling expertise, global leadership experience, and knowledge of the automotive sector.

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Our Process

Despite the urgency and the challenge of the vacancy being open for an extended period, we executed a targeted and thorough search across the whole of Germany. We focused on identifying candidates with:

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• Extensive controlling experience within the plastics or automotive industry, ensuring they had the technical and financial expertise required to oversee complex operations.

• Global leadership skills, with a track record of managing multi-site operations, including international locations like China.

• A strong understanding of the automotive supply chain, ensuring they could navigate industry-specific challenges while managing cost controls and financial performance.

 

Through our detailed market analysis and targeted headhunting, we engaged with candidates who were not on the active market or previously presented to the client. We used our deep network in Germany’s manufacturing and financial sectors to source top-tier candidates quickly.

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Challenges

The main challenge was the global scope of the role, which required a candidate who could not only manage financial controlling for multiple locations but also navigate the complexities of overseeing a cross-border operation with a plant in China. Additionally, the extended vacancy period had created operational gaps that needed to be addressed swiftly.

Furthermore, the role demanded an individual with expertise in plastics manufacturing for the automotive sector, as well as the ability to handle high-level financial reporting and performance monitoring across different cultural and regulatory environments.

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Result

Despite the challenges, we successfully delivered a shortlist of highly qualified candidates within just three weeks, all of whom had not been previously presented to the client. The shortlisted candidates demonstrated a strong blend of controlling expertise, international experience, and sector-specific knowledge in both automotive and industrial manufacturing.

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The client was impressed with the caliber of the candidates and is currently in advanced stages of finalizing the perfect fit for this critical role. This rapid and efficient result not only addressed the long-standing vacancy but ensured that the client now has access to world-class controlling leadership to help drive operational efficiency and financial control across their global sites.

This case study highlights our ability to quickly deliver high-caliber talent for complex, multi-location roles, ensuring our client’s operations remain competitive and streamlined.