Strategic Finance Manager (m/f/d)

The Better Cat•Hamburg, NY

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Better Cat is hiring its first dedicated finance professional to build the finance function for a fast-growing, VC-backed consumer brand. The role reports directly to co-founder Niklas and combines finance business partnering with hands-on operational finance. You will give the founders timely, accurate financial information for decision-making while establishing finance processes, working with external accountants and tax advisors, and using AI and automation to modernise operations. The role covers financial planning and analysis, business partnering, supply chain and working capital, strategic initiatives, and accounting. You will work closely with Growth & Marketing and Supply Chain teams, analyse commercial and operational performance, develop business cases, and build monthly and annual close processes. The position is based in a modern Hamburg HafenCity office with a hybrid setup and flexible working hours.

Requirements

2–4 years of experience in Consulting, Investment Banking, FP&A, Finance Business Partnering, Commercial Finance, or Strategic Finance.
Experience in e-commerce, consumer products, retail, distribution, or another physical-product business.
At least a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject such as Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business.
Ability to run workstreams independently and deliver high-quality output with minimal supervision.
Fluency in German and English.
Advanced Excel skills, including complex financial modelling and data analysis.
Comfort working with large datasets and turning analysis into clear, concise business insights.
Solid understanding of financial statements, management accounting principles, and business performance metrics.
Strong analytical mindset, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
Strong commercial mindset and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Clear and confident written and verbal communication, including presenting findings to non-finance stakeholders.
Proactive, self-motivated, entrepreneurial approach and comfort in a fast-paced, scaling company.

Nice To Haves

A professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or CFA) in progress or recently completed.
Experience with accounting software such as DATEV or Lexware.
Experience with AI and automation tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, n8n, Make, or Zapier.
Curiosity about AI and interest in using it to work smarter.

Responsibilities

Own forecasting, budgeting, and performance analysis.
Analyse revenue, gross margin, contribution margin, costs, and working capital.
Support pricing, promotion, product mix, channel, and product portfolio decisions.
Act as the primary finance contact for the Growth & Marketing and Supply Chain teams.
Translate financial and operational KPIs into clear insights and actions.
Challenge assumptions, connect operational decisions to P&L and cash-flow outcomes, and identify opportunities to improve profitability and efficiency.
Partner on inventory, procurement, fulfilment, logistics, and working capital decisions.
Identify opportunities to improve costs, cash flow, and operational efficiency.
Build business cases and quantify the financial impact of major initiatives, including new brand, channel, or country launches.
Connect strategic initiatives to financial operations and support the rollout of controlling processes across the organisation.
Build monthly and annual close processes from scratch.
Work with external tax advisors and accountants to ensure robust VAT treatment across countries and channels.

Benefits

Deutschland-Ticket.
MacBook.
Wellpass.
Company merchandise.
Office snacks and drinks.
Modern office in Hamburg's HafenCity.
Hybrid setup.
Flexible working hours.
Opportunity to shape the finance function, its processes, and tools from day one.
Direct access to and daily work with the founders.
AI-first working environment with room to experiment with current tools.
Personal growth in a fast-growing company.