Finance Manager (m/w/d)

We want to revolutionize logistics again - with mobile package robots that fit every parking space, and a seamless automation of the last mile. For more efficiency, lower costs, above all for less CO2 emissions, road congestion, and packaging waste. Currently, we are standing before our next growth phase and a funding round of 4-6 Mio. €. Exactly for that, we're looking for you.

Innovative Robot Delivery GmbH - Smarcel - was founded in 2021 and develops automated package infrastructure for the last mile. Three products, one platform: the mobile Smarcel ONE Locker, the integrated Smarcel CABIN into the delivery vehicle, and the wall-mounted Smarcel WALLGATE.

Founded by experienced logistics and product experts (including the inventors of DHL-Packstation), we are currently working with leading European package service providers on concrete pilot projects. Behind us stands an established set of investors that has continuously accompanied us over the years.

Our lab and office are located in Cologne-Rodenkirchen. We are a small, agile team with short decision-making paths and a clear mission: to rethink last-mile logistics in Europe.

Aufgaben

Your role

You will take responsibility for everything related to numbers, finances, and investors. You will work directly with the two managing directors and be the central interface to investors, supervisory board, and external partners.

In concrete terms:

• Forecast & Cashflow: You keep an eye on liquidity, burn rate, and runway - and warn in good time if something gets out of hand.
• Monthly investor update: You prepare the monthly reporting documents for our investors, including financial key figures, forecast updates, and commentary on the most important developments.
• Board meetings: You prepare the quarterly board meetings - numbers, presentation, resolution templates.
• Funding round 4-6 Mio. €: You are the strategic and operational driver of our next round. You create a financial model, pitch materials, investor list, coordinate due diligence processes, and keep all workstreams in view.
• Economic calculations: For pilot projects, partnerships, and strategic decisions, you calculate cases through - clean, fast, decision-oriented.
• Accounting & Reporting: You steer our external accounting, ensure that annual financial statements, taxes, and statutory reporting obligations run smoothly.

Important to know: Finance is currently not just you plus team - Finance is you. There is (still) no one else you lead. That means hands-on from day one: You build the model yourself, lead Excel yourself, steer external accounting, and calculate cases through yourself. You shape the finance function that you will later build and then also lead, but first, you make it. Who wants to take over a team that is already established and above all lead? That's not us (yet). But just as important: You are part of our leadership circle and decide with the managing directors and our CTO on all important company decisions.

Qualifikation

What you bring

We're looking for someone who brings a clear understanding of numbers, independence, and enthusiasm for an actual startup journey.

• Completed studies (BWL, economics, finance, etc.)
• First professional experience in the financial sector, e.g., in controlling, corporate finance, auditing, investment banking, consulting, or as a finance employee in a startup
• Very good Excel skills, ideally with first experience in financial modeling
• Very good German and good English (our investors and partners are international)
• Structured, self-responsible working style - you don't wait for tasks, you recognize them
• Ambition, independence, and the will to shape something of your own - not to manage, but to design
• Experience in financing startups or the willingness to quickly get into this world

Benefits

What we offer

• Market-average fixed salary (depending on experience)
• Equity participation (VSOP) - we want you to not only be a colleague but also a co-founder. If we are successful, you will benefit from it.
• Direct line to management - we act at eye level, your ideas are heard and taken seriously, no hierarchical bottlenecks
• Flexible working - you can work from home, ideally we see each other twice a week in our lab and office in Cologne-Rodenkirchen
• Steep learning curve - from the funding round to international partner negotiations to preparing for a possible Series A in 2027
• A product with meaning - we make the last mile more efficient, automated, and sustainable

Honestly speaking

We are a startup. That means: short paths, fast decisions, but also unfinished processes, occasional chaos, and a lot of responsibility from day one. If you're looking for clear structures, long onboarding times, and corporate comfort, we're probably not the right employer. If you want to shape something and are willing to take a step out of your comfort zone - then we're excited about you.

Sounds like you?

If so, send us your resume and a few lines on why you're interested in this role.

We don't need a classic application. Three to five sentences on why you're exactly right for this role are enough. We'll get back to you within a week.