Role Overview:

We are looking for a seasoned finance professional to lead the plant finance function, ensuring strong financial governance, cost control, compliance, and business partnering with plant operations. The role will play a critical part in driving profitability, operational efficiency, and financial discipline at the manufacturing unit.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A):

- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning for the plant

- Monitor actual performance vs. budget and drive variance analysis

- Provide actionable insights to improve plant profitability and efficiency

2. Cost Control & Optimization:

- Drive cost control initiatives across manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain

- Analyze product costing, standard costing, and variance (material, labor, overhead)

- Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement process improvements

3. Plant Accounting & Reporting:

- Oversee plant-level accounting, month-end closing, and financial reporting

- Ensure accurate inventory valuation and reconciliation

- Maintain strong controls over fixed assets and capital expenditure tracking

4. Inventory & Working Capital Management:

- Monitor inventory levels, slow/non-moving stock, and obsolescence provisions

- Optimize working capital by improving inventory turns and receivables/payables cycles

- Collaborate with operations to ensure efficient material management

5. Compliance & Internal Controls:

- Ensure adherence to statutory regulations, internal audit, and SOX/compliance frameworks

- Strengthen internal controls and governance processes

- Coordinate with auditors (internal & external) for plant audits

6. Business Partnering:

- Work closely with Plant Head and cross-functional teams (Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain)

- Support decision-making through financial insights and scenario analysis

- Evaluate capex proposals and ROI analysis for new investments

7. Team Leadership:

- Lead and mentor the plant finance team

- Drive capability building and performance management within the team

Key Requirements:

- Qualified CA / CMA / MBA (Finance)

- 12-15 years of experience in plant finance / manufacturing finance

- Strong exposure to costing, inventory management, and plant operations

- Experience in industries like manufacturing, FMCG, automotive, chemicals, or engineering preferred

- Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP/Oracle) and advanced Excel

- Strong analytical, stakeholder management, and leadership skills

Preferred Skills:

- Hands-on experience in standard costing & variance analysis

- Knowledge of lean manufacturing / cost optimization frameworks

- Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-functional environment

Key Success Metrics:

- Improvement in plant cost efficiency and margins

- Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting

- Reduction in inventory holding and working capital cycle

- Strong audit and compliance track record