Group Cost Controller

Harmattan Ai

Paris, France

On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with industrial controlling expertise in manufacturing environments and a builder's mindset comfortable with structuring cost frameworks from scratch, working in Paris.

Best fit for

Candidates with 5–8 years in cost controlling within complex production environments
— “5–8 years in cost or industrial controlling within a manufacturing environment or a complex production environment”
Individuals with strong ERP and variance analysis experience, especially in Odoo
— “hands-on experience with an ERP. Comfortable with BOMs, standard costs and variance analysis”

Things to consider

Fluency in both French and English is mandatory for this role
— “Fluent in French and English”
The role demands close collaboration with operations, engineering, and procurement teams
— “able to challenge production, engineering and procurement constructively”

How to stand out

Highlight experience in creating cost frameworks from scratch, not just improving existing ones
— “Has built a controlling framework from a blank page rather than inherited one”
Emphasize your ability to structure and develop Industrial P&L and cost performance monitoring systems
— “Build the industrial P&L and the costing framework. Create the industrial P&L, define the standard cost calculation methodology”
Showcase your ERP implementation experience, especially with Odoo or similar platforms
— “Contribute to the Odoo implementation. Work with Production and Supply Chain to ensure inventory is tracked reliably in the system”

Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

Developed and implemented industrial P&L and costing framework
Improved cost performance monitoring and decision support capabilities

Typical background

Master’s degree in Finance or Business Administration5-8 years of experience in cost or industrial controlling

Skills & requirements

Required

Cost ControllingFinancial ModelingERP SystemsIndustrial P&LInventory Management

Preferred

Odoo Implementation

Stack & domain

ExcelFinancial ModellingERPBomsStandard CostsVariance AnalysisLeadershipCommunicationDefenseFinance

About the role

Original posting from Harmattan Ai via Ashby

ABOUT US
Harmattan AI is a next-generation defense prime building autonomous and scalable defense systems. Following the close of a $200M Series B, valuing the company at $1.4 billion, we are expanding our teams and capabilities to deliver mission-critical systems to allied forces.
Our work is guided by clear values: building technologies with real-world impact, pursuing excellence in everything we do, setting ambitious goals, and taking on the hardest technical challenges. We operate in a demanding environment where rigor, ownership, and execution are expected.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As Group Cost Controller at Harmattan AI, you will take ownership of the Group’s Industrial, R&D & other operational costing, working closely with the FP&A Manager to structure, develop, and continuously improve Industrial P&L, Cost performance monitoring, and decision-support capabilities across multiple entities.
The role combines hands-on analytical execution with higher-level structuring responsibilities, including Industrial P&L creation & development, Industrial & R&D cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, and KPI definition.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Build the industrial P&L and the costing framework. Create the industrial P&L, define the standard cost calculation methodology, and set up the performance tracking processes that go with it.
Monitor and challenge production and inventory performance. Track production costs, inventory levels and variances, identify deviations early, and work with operations to close them.
Run the industrial management cycles. Initiate and own monthly closings, business reviews, forecasts and budgets for the industrial scope.
Contribute to the Odoo implementation. Work with Production and Supply Chain to ensure inventory is tracked reliably in the system and that the outputs the business needs come out of it.
Drive cost visibility and optimization beyond the plant. Follow R&D and project costs, and lead cost optimization initiatives across other operating costs.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Educational Background: Finance, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
Industrial Controlling Expertise: 5–8 years in cost or industrial controlling within a manufacturing environment or a complex production environment
Modelling & Tools: Expert-level Excel and strong financial modelling skills, plus hands-on experience with an ERP . Comfortable with BOMs, standard costs and variance analysis.
Builder's Mindset & Adaptability: Has built a controlling framework from a blank page rather than inherited one. Autonomous, structured, and at ease in a fast-moving environment where the answer does not exist yet.
Business Partnering & Communication: A true business partner — curious about operations, comfortable on the shop floor, able to challenge production, engineering and procurement constructively. Fluent in French and English.
We look forward to hearing how you can help shape the future of autonomous defense systems at Harmattan AI.

Source: Harmattan Ai careers (Ashby)