The CMA CGM Group continues its growth and innovation trajectory with an unwavering ambition: to connect the world through ever more efficient solutions, by sea, land, air, and at the heart of the most demanding supply chains. It is further expanding its air freight activities with the acquisition of Crystal Aero Solutions, one of the leading MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) providers at Paris Roissy-CDG Airport.

Founded in 2018, Crystal Aero Solutions has established itself as an essential partner for airlines and third-party operators, thanks to its expertise in line maintenance, base maintenance, engine replacement, and technical support. Driven by a commitment to redefine industry standards, the company delivers relevant, agile, and exacting solutions to ensure fleet availability and performance.

But our true distinction goes far beyond technical expertise. At Crystal Aero Solutions, we do more than maintain aircraft, we contribute to the excellence and peace of mind of our clients, fostering an environment built on demanding standards, tenacity, camaraderie, and boldness, all powered by passionate teams. This vision, backed by the international reach and resources of the CMA CGM Group, inspires every action we take and fuels our growth.

As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a Head of Finance to strengthen our finance organization and support senior management in driving business performance and company development.

Your Role

Reporting to the General Management team and working closely with the Group Finance Department, you will act as the company's key finance representative and a trusted business partner to senior management.

You will be responsible for overseeing the entity's financial and economic performance, in coordination with internal accounting teams, external accounting partners and Group Finance teams.

Beyond financial reporting and monitoring, your role will involve analyzing business performance, managing profitability across contracts and activities, and providing financial insights to support management decisions.

You will therefore play a central role in driving financial performance, management controlling and continuous improvement across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Business Partnering & Management Support

• Provide senior management with financial and operational analyses to support strategic decision-making.

• Act as a trusted business partner to senior management and operational leaders.

• Contribute to the development of growth strategies, business plans and action plans.

• Conduct profitability assessments, economic analyses and ad hoc financial studies.

• Develop and critically assess business cases related to growth initiatives, investments and transformation projects.

• Identify key opportunities to improve business performance and proactively recommend solutions to management.

• Contribute to defining and monitoring the company's financial and economic objectives.

2. Financial Performance & Profitability Management

• Lead profitability analysis across projects, contracts and business activities.

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to margins, costs, productivity, revenue and profitability.

• Analyze variances between actual results, budgets and forecasts, identifying the underlying causes of deviations.

• Anticipate risks of margin deterioration and recommend corrective actions.

• Challenge operational managers on the financial performance of their activities.

• Participate in business performance reviews with senior management and operational teams.

• Contribute to defining margin and profitability targets.

• Support operational teams in improving the financial performance of projects and contracts.

• Develop and enhance performance management tools to provide senior management with clear, reliable and regular insights into business performance.

3. Group Financial Reporting

• Prepare and ensure the accuracy and reliability of monthly financial and operational reports submitted to the Group.

• Ensure the quality, consistency and reliability of reported financial and operational indicators.

• Monitor budgets, forecasts and medium-term financial plans.

• Analyze key variances and prepare financial performance commentary for Group management.

• Act as the primary point of contact for Group Finance teams on all financial matters relating to the entity.

• Participate in financial and performance reviews organized at Group level.

4. Accounting Oversight & Financial Control

• Oversee and supervise accounting activities in coordination with internal teams and external accounting partners.

• Ensure the accuracy, quality and reliability of accounting and financial information.

• Supervise monthly, quarterly and annual closing processes, ensuring compliance with Group reporting deadlines.

• Coordinate accounting activities and interactions with external accounting firms.

• Monitor cash flow, working capital requirements and key financial transactions.

• Coordinate relationships with statutory auditors, external auditors and financial partners.

• Ensure compliance with internal control procedures and applicable accounting standards.

• Identify potential discrepancies or financial risks and implement appropriate corrective actions.

5. Finance Transformation & Process Optimization

• Contribute to the design and implementation of Finance transformation initiatives.

• Identify opportunities to improve and automate financial and reporting processes.

• Support the development and enhancement of financial management tools and information systems.

• Coordinate activities between Finance, operational teams, IT departments and external service providers.

• Support users in adopting new tools and processes.

• Participate in implementing reporting and performance management solutions aligned with the needs of senior management and the Group.

• Drive continuous improvement in the reliability, timeliness and relevance of financial information.

Your Profile

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Management Control, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field.

• 8 to 15 years of relevant professional experience in Finance, Financial Controlling or Performance Management.

• Previous experience in an industrial, aviation, transportation, technical services or complex service delivery environment would be highly valued.

• Strong knowledge of financial and accounting principles.

• Proven experience in management controlling and profitability analysis, ideally within a project-based or contract-based environment.

• Experience in Group financial reporting and working with a centralized Group Finance function.

• Good knowledge of financial management tools and ERP systems.

• Experience in process improvement initiatives or financial systems transformation projects would be an advantage.

• Previous people management or cross-functional team leadership experience would be a plus.

• Full professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong business and financial acumen.

• Excellent analytical skills, with a particular focus on profitability and performance.

• Ability to translate financial data into actionable business recommendations.

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to constructively challenge operational stakeholders.

• Excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information.

• High level of accuracy, rigor and reliability.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Ability to thrive in an international and multicultural environment.

• Service-oriented mindset and a genuine business partnering approach.

Why Join Us?

• A key position at the heart of the financial and economic performance of a company operating in the aviation industry.

• High visibility and direct exposure to senior management and Group Finance leadership.

• A diverse role combining Finance, Management Controlling, Profitability Analysis and Strategic Business Partnering.

• Close collaboration with operational teams and direct involvement in business challenges.

• Opportunities to contribute to transformation projects and performance improvement initiatives.

• A dynamic and demanding international working environment.

• Genuine career development opportunities within the Group.

Location: To be confirmed
Employment Type: Permanent contract
Position Level: Management

Are you looking to leverage your financial expertise and business acumen to drive the performance of a leading player in the aviation industry?

Join us and make a direct contribution to the financial performance, strategic direction and continued growth of our business.