Global Head of Spend Management Controlling

Location: Budapest – Sanofi Business Services, Váci Greens

Flexible working: Hybrid

Job type: Permanent, Full time

The Global Head of Spend Management Controlling is a senior leadership role within Sanofi’s Controlling Operations organization, responsible for overseeing end-to-end Spend Management financial processes at a global scale. This role serves as the central point of expertise and governance for Spend Management forecasting, closing, reporting, and process transformation across all Market and Customer Operations (MCOs), R&D Pillars, Global Functions, and Manufacturing & Supply (M&S) sites worldwide.

Operating at the intersection of financial stewardship, digital transformation, and strategic partnership, this role plays a critical part in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of Sanofi’s global financial reporting, directly impacting decisions at the highest levels of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Spend Management Forecasting, Closing & Reporting

• Lead the global Spend Management forecasting cycles, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent delivery across all 4 Service Lines, MCOs, R&D Pillars, Global Functions, and M&S sites.
• Oversee the monthly and annual actual closing processes for Spend Management, ensuring full alignment with Group Controlling standards and timelines.
• Drive the production and delivery of high-quality Spend reporting and analytics to Service Line Controllers and senior stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making.
• Define and enforce global data quality standards to guarantee the integrity and reliability of Spend Management financial data across all reporting dimensions.
• Monitor and analyze Spend Management variances, providing meaningful insights and commentary to Group Controlling and Service Line Heads.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial governance policies and external regulatory requirements in all Spend reporting activities.

2. Process Streamlining, Automation & Service Excellence

• Co-Lead with the GPO team the design and implementation of a global process optimization roadmap for Spend Management controlling, identifying opportunities to streamline, standardize, and automate end-to-end Spend workflows.
• Champion the adoption of digital tools and automation technologies to reduce manual effort, increase process efficiency, and enhance data accuracy across all hub organizations.
• Define and maintain global governance policies and data quality frameworks for Spend Management processes, ensuring consistent application across all geographies and business units.
• Continuously assess service delivery performance against defined KPIs, driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Act as a trusted partner to Service Line Controllers, delivering high-quality, value-added services that support their financial planning and reporting needs.
• Collaborate with IT, HR, and Finance transformation teams to co-develop scalable solutions that future-proof the Spend controlling function.

3. Global Team Leadership & Hub Management

• Lead, develop, and inspire a global team of over 20 professionals distributed across 3 hub organizations, fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and collaborative culture.
• Define clear roles, responsibilities, and performance objectives for team members, ensuring alignment with global priorities and individual development goals.
• Drive talent development initiatives, identifying and nurturing future leaders within the team.
• Ensure effective coordination and knowledge-sharing across hubs, leveraging the diversity of the global team to deliver consistent and high-quality outcomes.
• Manage resource allocation across hubs to optimize capacity and capability in line with business demands.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; professional qualification (e.g., CIMA, ACCA, CPA) is a strong advantage.
• Experience: Minimum 10–12 years of progressive experience in Financial Controlling, FP&A, or a related Finance function, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Global Exposure: Demonstrated experience managing finance processes in a complex, multinational environment; prior experience in a shared services or hub-based model is highly desirable.
• People Leadership: Proven track record of leading and developing large, geographically dispersed teams.
• Process Transformation: Hands-on experience leading finance process automation and optimization initiatives, ideally leveraging tools such as SAP, Workday, Anaplan, or similar platforms.

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in Spend Management controlling, financial forecasting, and management reporting
• Strong command of financial systems and data analytics tools (SAP, Workday, Anaplan, Power BI, or equivalent)
• Solid understanding of financial governance frameworks and internal controls
• Proficiency in process design, automation, and continuous improvement methodologies

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to inspire and align a global team around a shared vision
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior levels
• High degree of cross-cultural awareness and ability to work effectively across diverse teams and geographies
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights

Strategic & Analytical Skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term transformation goals with short-term operational delivery
• Strong analytical mindset with a focus on data quality, accuracy, and continuous improvement
• Ability to manage ambiguity and drive decisions in a fast-paced, complex environment

Join an Award-Winning Team at Sanofi Budapest Hub!

Be part of something exceptional. Our Budapest Hub has been recognized for workplace excellence, innovation, and our commitment to putting people first.

Office of the Year 2025 – Evolution Award

Our most recent award – Sanofi is recognized for creating an innovative workspace that supports collaboration and adaptability.

Marketing Diamond Award 2026 – Employer Branding

One of the highest honours at Hungary’s prestigious Marketing Diamond Awards, recognizing excellence in employer branding.

BSC Investor of the Year 2025

Awarded by HIPA, ABSL Hungary, and AmCham Hungary for our contribution to Hungary’s business services sector.

PwC Workforce Preference Survey 2025 – Top 3 Most Attractive Employers

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