Americas Financial Controller

Element Solutions Inc•Waterbury, CT

About The Position

Element Solutions Inc (NYSE:ESI) is a leading specialty chemicals company whose operating businesses formulate a broad range of solutions that enhance the performance of products people use every day. Developed in multi-step technological processes, our innovative solutions enable our customer manufacturing processes in several key segments, including electronic circuitry, communication infrastructure, automotive systems, industrial surface finishing, and offshore energy. Customers of our businesses use our innovation as a competitive advantage, relying on us to help them navigate in fast-paced, high-growth markets. For example, in-care technology, from infotainment to driver assistance, is accelerating the paste of new product development and automotive markets, and with a deep market expertise in electronics, we sit at the intersection of the fast-growing market, changing the competitive playing field for automotive manufacturers, with a long-standing presence. We strive to embody the five 'Elements of our Culture'- our '5C's'; Challenge, Commit, Collaborate, Choose, and Care. These core values are the foundation of our organization which our employees embrace in their interactions with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders, to drive financial performance and create a rewarding work environment. Who are we looking for?The Americas Controller is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all financial reporting and accounting operations across the Americas region. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across Record-to-Report (RTR), Procure-to-Pay (PTP), and Order-to-Cash (OTC) accounting activities, ensuring alignment with global standards, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and enterprise-wide transformation priorities. The position plays a critical role in driving standardization, automation, and process optimization across regional finance processes, working closely with the Global BPO team, Global FP&A Hub, Regional FP&A, and FSS to achieve 100% documentation, strong controls, and measurable improvements in efficiency and quality. The role stewards talent development across the Americas finance organization, building strong teams, developing successors, and cultivating a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Ultimately, the Americas Controller ensures that the region meets its financial, regulatory, and operational performance expectations and contributes to a unified, high-performing Global Finance & Enterprise Services organization.What will you be doing?

Requirements

Strategic and Commercial: Able to balance service delivery goals with cost, contractual commitments, and productivity expectations.
Diplomatic but Assertive: Skilled at managing complex vendor relationships—firm on accountability but collaborative in partnership.
Analytical Thinker: You evaluate performance through data, metrics, and financial insight, not assumptions.
Change-Oriented: Energised by transformation, simplification, and shifting organisations toward future-state models.
Resilient and Composed: Comfortable navigating ambiguity, cultural differences, and high stakeholder expectations.
Strong Communicator: Able to convey complex operational concepts clearly to senior financial and business leaders.
Culturally Intelligent: You work seamlessly with global teams and adapt your approach to different environments.
Expertise in Shared Services / Global Business Services operations.
Proven experience managing outsourced finance operations (preferably large BPO relationships).
Deep knowledge of P2P, O2C, R2R, Master Data, and financial control frameworks.
Strong understanding of global outsourcing contracts, SLAs/KPIs, and commercial structures.
Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and automation technologies (RPA, workflow tools, analytics platforms).
Strong financial modelling and budgeting skills related to outsourcing/vendor delivery.
Vendor Governance: Skilled in commercial negotiations, contract interpretation, scorecard design, and escalation management.
Operational Excellence: Experience driving end-to-end process improvement, Lean/Six Sigma a plus.
Strategic Influence: Ability to shape decisions across executives, functions, and regions.
Team Leadership: Builds engagement, trust, and accountability within the governance and retained organisation.
Risk & Compliance Management: Strong understanding of SOX, internal controls, audit requirements, and global regulatory obligations.
Decision-Making & Problem-Solving: Able to balance risk, cost, and service quality in complex scenarios.
Communication: Confident presenting insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders and board-level leaders.

Responsibilities

BPO Governance & Relationship Management
Own the strategic partnership with the outsourced finance provider, ensuring delivery aligns with contractual obligations, service expectations, and business goals.
Serve as the primary escalation point for global BPO performance issues, driving timely resolution and structural root‑cause improvements.
Lead quarterly business reviews, commercial discussions, and performance management frameworks (SLAs, KPIs, scorecards).
Operational Performance & Service Delivery
Oversee outsourced delivery across all finance towers (e.g., P2P, O2C, R2R, Master Data, Travel & Expense).
Define performance standards and monitor service quality through dashboards, analytics, and governance routines.
Ensure end-to-end process integrity between retained teams, regional offices, and the BPO provider.
Contract, Financials & Compliance Oversight
Manage BPO budgets, billing accuracy, contract adherence, and financial forecasting.
Drive cost optimisation opportunities, including automation, process simplification, and workforce efficiency.
Ensure compliance with internal controls, SOX requirements, audit standards, and global regulatory obligations.
Transformation & Continuous Improvement
Partner with the BPO provider to implement automation, digitisation, standardisation, and global process harmonisation.
Lead change management across global teams as processes evolve.
Drive best-in-class service delivery models aligned to global operating strategy and business needs.
Stakeholder Management
Act as a trusted advisor to senior Finance leaders, Regional Controllers, and operational business leaders.
Communicate performance insights, risks, and mitigation plans to executive stakeholders.
Build strong internal alignment between Finance, IT, Procurement, HR, and business units.
Leadership
Lead a small but highly strategic BPO governance team.
Develop capability within the retained organisation around vendor management, analytics, and process ownership.