Jean-Christophe Debarge

Industrial CFO | Europe Finance Leader | Margin, Cash, M&A, Board Governance & AI-enabled Finance Transformation

Greater Bern Area

About

Industrial CFO / Regional Finance Leader with international experience across automotive, engineering, machinery, chemicals and manufacturing. I lead Finance in complex environments, strengthening performance, accelerating transformation, and allocating resources with discipline to balance growth, cost efficiency and governance. My experience spans regional CFO scope, Board and director responsibilities, M&A and post-merger integration, FP&A, commercial controlling, plant finance, tax, treasury, audit, internal controls, SOX compliance, shared services and digital finance transformation. I partner with executive teams and Boards to challenge assumptions, simplify complexity and convert financial insight into strategic choices and disciplined execution. I modernize Finance from reporting to decision intelligence, leveraging AI-enabled analytics, digital FP&A, automation and shared services to improve speed, insight and business impact.

Experience

  • Head Of Finance at Johnson Electric
    Nov 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 8 mos

    Lead Europe Finance across a complex industrial / automotive footprint, with full P&L responsibilities ($1.4Bn). Drive margin, cash, Capex and customer value and profitability improvement.  Lead digital finance transformation, AI-enabled reporting and FP&A cockpit development.  Strengthen governance, controls and board-level reporting across European entities.  Full Finance responsibilities for Europe.

  • Parker Hannifin (6 yrs 9 mos)
    • Division Controller
      Mar 2020 - Oct 2021 · 1 yr 8 mos

      Finance leader for an industrial division, supporting performance management, forecasting, reporting, controls and executive decision-making.  Improved margin visibility, cost control and business-review discipline.  Supported profitability, cash, Capex and integration priorities.  Ensured strong controllership and compliance in a matrix environment.

    • Director and Integration Leader, Europe, Middle East, Africa
      May 2019 - Feb 2020 · 10 mos

      Led integration efforts company wide in EMEA, supporting Parker Hannifin acquisition of LORD Corporation for $3.7bn. Led transformation from private to public setting, in line with global SEC, USGAAP, SOX requirements.

    • Director, Finance and Information Technology, Europe, Middle East and Africa
      Feb 2015 - Apr 2019 · 4 yrs 3 mos

      Regional CFO of Parker-Lord Corporation, with full Finance & IT responsibilities, including strategy, M&A, Controlling, Accounting, Planning and Analysis, Tax, Treasury, Compliance

  • AGCO Corporation (3 yrs 3 mos)
    • Director, Commercial Control EMEA
      May 2014 - Jan 2015 · 9 mos

      Finance Director for EMEA Sales & Operations, supporting commercial performance, pricing, business development and growth initiatives.  Partnered with sales, operations and executives on investment and market decisions.  Supported joint ventures, pricing strategy and business-case evaluation.  Strengthened financial governance and commercial controls.

    • Head of Financial Planning & Analysis EMEA
      Nov 2011 - May 2014 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      Led FP&A, planning, budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting across EMEA.  Simplified planning processes across brands, sites and functions.  Improved executive reporting, performance metrics and business accountability.  Supported ERP and reporting-system transformation.

  • Business Unit Controller at Ashland Inc
    Sep 2008 - Nov 2011 · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Business Unit Controller for specialty-chemicals divisions, covering plant controlling, cost accounting and operational finance.

  • Project Accounting Lead / Business Analyst at Vale
    Mar 2006 - Sep 2008 · 2 yrs 7 mos

    Finance and project-controls role supporting a major mining and refining operation.  Led onsite accounting, controls and project-finance processes.  Strengthened cost visibility and financial governance.  Coordinated finance activities between site, project and corporate teams.