Clarins Financial Controller

About Clarins

Founded in Paris in 1954 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins, Clarins is a family-owned beauty house renowned for its plant-inspired skincare, makeup and spa expertise. Combining scientific research with a close understanding of customers’ needs, the brand has built an international presence while preserving its French heritage. As an employer, Clarins brings together specialists across research, product development, manufacturing, retail and corporate functions, united by a commitment to quality and service. Its emphasis on responsible beauty, innovation and long-term stewardship offers a distinctive professional environment for those seeking to contribute to an established beauty house with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead all management control activities for the French subsidiary and manage a dedicated team of three: two permanent employees and one work-study trainee.
• Ensure operational teams adhere to budgets, providing control, alerts, estimates and analysis to support financial and operational decisions by the Finance Director and Managing Director.
• Oversee budgeting, reporting, financial close and commercial performance monitoring, including wholesale productivity and customer P&Ls.
• Contribute to cross-functional projects, including the implementation of Revenue Growth Management (RGM).
• Build detailed budgets and forecasts for revenue and operating expenses by product line, franchise and market channel; coordinate budget preparation with operational departments.
• Review capital expenditures (CAPEX) and headcount.
• Monitor and make recommendations on wholesale business productivity and customer P&Ls.
• Prepare the monthly Group consolidation package, including P&L, revenue, quantities, returns and inventory depreciation, within deadlines.
• Analyse variances against budget and the prior year, and monthly P&Ls by product line and market channel; monitor and request corrective actions from operational teams, and alert the subsidiary Finance Department and operational teams to issues.
• Monitor CAPEX, headcount and boutique inventory.
• Manage monthly closes with operational teams and Group Accounting, including calculating provisions (rebates, invoices not received and returns) and monitoring reallocations (rebates, social charges, brand and product range).
• Improve existing tools and procedures to enhance performance and the quality of deliverables.
• Work with operational, Marketing, Commercial and regional teams on the RGM project.
• Lead and develop the Controlling team, building capabilities and supporting employees in taking on greater responsibility.
• Support the development of the three-year strategic plan (3YP) and cash management, including free cash flow (FCF) and the forecast balance sheet.
• Coordinate budget schedules and manage relationships with the statutory auditors.
• Conduct ad hoc analyses, including ROI and profitability studies, to support operational decisions.

Qualifications

• Recognised for rigour, autonomy and a strong team spirit.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Comfortable in a demanding environment, with strong prioritisation and stress-management skills.
• Able to take a strategic perspective, turn analysis into practical recommendations and influence stakeholders.
• Business-partner mindset and motivation to support operational teams in their decision-making.
• Experienced in team management, with the ability to unite and support employees.
• At least 10 years of experience in management control and financial management, with significant exposure to commercial matters; audit experience is an advantage.
• Excellent financial analysis skills applied to operational issues.
• Strong command of financial close, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and P&L management processes.
• Interest in the operational aspects of subsidiary management control, including data handling, invoice management and financial closes.
• Able to work across Marketing, Commercial, Management, Accounting and IT functions.
• Knowledge of HFM and Workday.
• Good command of French and English.

Skills

Experience

At least 10 years in management control and financial management, with significant exposure to commercial matters; audit experience is an advantage.

Education

Master’s degree specialising in Audit, Finance or Management Control.

Benefits

Attractive remuneration; profit-sharing and employee participation agreement; health, retirement, transport, sports and cultural benefits; works council (CSE); product allowance; company restaurant; development opportunities and extensive training, including unlimited access to the Digital Learning tool; flexible working with up to one or two remote-work days per week after four months of service. The role also offers a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.

Culture

As a family-owned French beauty group, Clarins combines an entrepreneurial spirit with a culture rooted in botanical expertise, scientific innovation and close attention to customers. Its workplace values collaboration, the transmission of know-how and a shared commitment to responsible beauty, connecting professional excellence with care for people and nature.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.