Assistant Manager of Financial Operations
Sakata Ornamentals is looking for a developing finance professional who will support and strengthen the day-to-day financial operations of our organisation. This role is positioned as a hands-on, operational finance role, with clear growth potential towards a more senior position over time.
You will report directly to the Finance & Administration Division Manager, who retains overall responsibility for consolidations, senior management reporting, and final financial accountability. Within the local 3 person team, you will act as team lead for the Junior Controller, ensuring continuity, structure, and quality in day-to-day finance activities.
We invite the opportunity for a less experienced finance professional who is ready to take the next step in responsibility, while still developing leadership and broader financial ownership.
Assistant Manager of Financial Operations (Developing Role)
Location: Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands
Scope: Sakata Ornamentals EMEA
Working hours: 38 hours per week (full-time preferred)
Key responsibilities
In this role, you will take ownership of the monthly financial close for the Dutch entity/entities and ensure that the financial administration is accurate, timely, and compliant. You will prepare monthly profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and supporting analyses, providing clear and reliable insight into financial performance. Through close involvement in budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis, you help translate figures into practical information that supports day-to-day decision-making.
As the first point of contact for operational finance questions, you work closely with colleagues across the organisation and contribute to a well-run and transparent finance function.
Within the local finance team, you act as team lead for the Junior Controller, coordinating daily tasks, providing guidance, and ensuring continuity and quality in ongoing finance activities. You foster a structured and collaborative working environment, while gradually developing your leadership capacity.
In close cooperation with the Division Manager, you support broader finance activities where needed, without carrying full end responsibility. Over time, you will increasingly contribute to improving reporting quality, strengthening financial control, and optimising finance processes. You also work with the existing ERP and finance systems, support audits and tax processes, and liaise with external advisors in coordination with the Division Manager, allowing you to build experience and grow into a broader Finance Manager role in the future.
What we are looking for
We are looking for a hands-on finance professional who enjoys working close to the operation and who sees this role as a growth step rather than an end position. You are comfortable in a supporting role today, while clearly showing the ambition to develop into a more senior finance leadership role in the future.
At the same time, this position can also be a good fit for an experienced Finance Manager who already brings a fully developed skill set, but who has consciously chosen to work in a smaller team with a more focused scope and manageable workload. You value quality, structure and collaboration, and prefer a role where you can remain close to the content and people, rather than operating in a heavy or highly layered management structure.
In both cases, you take pride in reliable execution, enjoy supporting colleagues, and are motivated to contribute to a stable and well-functioning finance organisation with room for continuous improvement.
What you bring
- Several years of experience in accounting, finance or controlling
- A solid understanding of monthly closing processes and financial reporting
- First experience in coordinating work or informal leadership is a strong plus
- Interest in developing leadership and broader financial responsibility
- Affinity with an international, operational environment (horticulture/agri sector is a plus)
- Strong communication skills in Dutch and English
- A pragmatic, reliable and structured working style
What we offer
At Sakata it’s all about passion.
We believe our people make the difference. That’s why we invest in your growth, well-being, and job satisfaction.
You’ll receive:
- A development-oriented Finance role within a stable international organisation
- Close cooperation and coaching from an experienced Finance & Administration Manager
- A role with impact, visibility and room to develop leadership skills
- Working from a modern office in Schiphol-Rijk
- A competitive salary in line with a developing profile
(indicative range: €6,000 – €6,500 gross per month)
And an appealing compensation package that you would want to hear more about!
We have also gone out of our way to obtain an excellent pension plan to secure your future.
Pls send your motivation letter and CV to:
HR Manager Karina Willerup
[email protected]