EMEA FP&A Business Partner – Operations

At Quaker Houghton, we are experts in the development, production and application of chemical specialties, process fluids, lubricants, and coatings for the manufacturing industry. We have been an integral part in the growth of the world’s largest industrial companies and to this day our experience and expertise show in the actions and dedication of our Associates worldwide. Today, we have a global presence, with our corporate headquarters located in Conshohocken, PA.

Quaker Houghton is a global publicly traded company with a unique collaborative culture that supports career growth for its associates and offers competitive compensation and benefit programs.

As an EMEA FP&A Business Partner, you will serve as a trusted advisor to Operations leadership, with a strong focus on manufacturing, plant performance, and supply chain cost structures. You will lead financial planning and analysis activities across plants and operational functions, providing deep insights into manufacturing variances, cost performance, working capital, and operational efficiency.

This role requires a hands‑on finance professional with solid plant controlling or manufacturing experience, able to translate complex operational data into clear, actionable insights that improve performance and profitability.

• Hybrid work schedule to support work‑life balance
• Bonus and reward opportunities
• Dress‑for‑your‑day policy
• Two annual days of paid volunteering leave
• Access to career growth opportunities in Finance and Operations
• QH University: continuous learning programs for all levels of experience
• Attractive wellbeing and inclusion programs, including diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

• Partner closely with Operations, Plant Managers, and Supply Chain leadership to support decision making and drive performance improvements
• Lead financial planning processes (budgeting, forecasting, rolling plans) for manufacturing and operational cost structures
• Deliver in‑depth manufacturing variance analysis (labor, overhead, yield, productivity, absorption) and identify key performance drivers
• Provide actionable insights on plant performance, cost efficiency, and operational KPIs across multiple sites
• Analyze and optimize working capital (inventory, production cycles) and support capex investment cases for manufacturing operations
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual operational performance reviews, clearly explaining variances and forward‑looking risks and opportunities
• Drive margin improvement initiatives through close monitoring of production costs, efficiencies, and waste reduction
• Partner with Regional Controllers and cross‑functional teams (Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, IT) to ensure alignment and consistency of data and processes
• Simplify and standardize reporting tools while maintaining accuracy and integrity
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, and financial visibility across plants and operations
• Support global and regional projects related to manufacturing finance and performance optimization

• 6+ years of experience in FP&A / Business Control Operations
• Strong background in supply chain, manufacturing or production environments
• Proven experience in plant cost analysis, manufacturing variances, and operational KPIs
• Exposure to multi‑site or regional operations in a matrix organization is a plus
• Experience in process‑driven or industrial environments (e.g. chemicals, FMCG, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, automotive) preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Engineering

• Fluent in English (written and spoken) is a must.

• Strong business partnering and influencing skills, especially with non‑finance stakeholders (plant and operations teams)
• High level of analytical capability, with the ability to translate data into operational insights
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex manufacturing topics clearly to leadership
• Proactive, hands‑on mindset with a strong sense of ownership
• Strong team player with a collaborative and solution‑oriented approach
• High safety awareness and…