Head of Business FP&A

Lonza, a worldwide leader in life‑science solutions operating on five continents, is hiring a Head of Business FP&A for its Basel, Switzerland hub. The role sits at the top of the finance hierarchy, reporting to the CFO and working hand‑in‑hand with the Global Head of FP&A, platform heads and senior functional leaders to turn commercial and operational shifts into clear financial outcomes and decisive actions. The incumbent will own the enterprise‑wide performance‑management framework, overseeing target setting, long‑range planning, forecasting, outlook updates and executive reporting. They will translate sales growth, margin trends, cash flow, capital spending, inventory and working‑capital movements into actionable insights for the CFO, CEO, board and audit committees. Collaboration with operations, supply‑chain, program management, commercial and quality teams will ensure financial plans are tightly linked to capacity, demand and key milestones. The leader will also drive strategic finance projects such as KPI governance, reporting simplification, process standardisation, digitalisation and automation, while coaching a senior team of Business Partners and raising analytical standards across the broader FP&A community. Candidates must bring more than twelve years of progressive finance experience, with deep expertise in enterprise FP&A, corporate finance and performance‑management within large, matrixed, multinational organisations. A proven track record of steering financial results in complex, globally dispersed businesses, preferably in life‑sciences, pharma, CDMO or manufacturing, is essential. The role requires strong commercial insight into growth, margin, cash, capex, inventory, working‑capital and capacity utilisation, as well as a solid grasp of manufacturing economics and the ability to link demand, campaign timing and operational milestones to financial performance. Advanced modelling, scenario analysis and the skill to turn intricate data into concise executive narratives are mandatory, together with a history of leading planning, forecasting, KPI governance and digital‑automation initiatives. Executive presence, persuasive communication, independent challenge of senior leaders and a demonstrated ability to build and develop high‑performing finance teams are also required. A master's degree in finance, accounting or a related field is compulsory; an MBA or equivalent is preferred, and fluency in business‑level English is a must. The position offers a high‑visibility platform within a globally recognised company that values ethical conduct and environmental stewardship. Based in Basel, the role provides the chance to influence senior leadership, shape the financial narrative presented to investors and the public, and champion digital transformation across the finance function. The team consists of senior Business Partners and a wider FP&A community, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance culture focused on sustainable value creation. What the role asks for: - 12+ years progressive finance experience in FP&A and corporate finance - Experience managing financial performance in large global matrix organisations - Background in life‑sciences, pharmaceuticals, CDMO or manufacturing (preferred) - Deep understanding of growth, margin, cash, CapEx, inventory and working‑capital drivers - Strong grasp of manufacturing economics and operational linkages - Advanced financial modelling and scenario‑planning skills - Proven record of leading planning, forecasting, KPI governance and digital initiatives - Executive‑level communication and influencing ability - Demonstrated people‑leadership of senior finance professionals - Ability to work autonomously in high‑pressure, ambiguous environments - Master's degree in Finance, Accounting or related discipline - MBA or equivalent advanced qualification (preferred) - Business fluency in English.