Finance Head - Manufacturing

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Planning & Management:

- Lead the overall Finance & Accounts function and ensure effective financial planning and control.

- Develop annual budgets, business plans, financial forecasts, and cash flow projections.

- Monitor financial performance against budgets and identify variances, risks, and corrective actions.

- Provide financial insights and recommendations to senior management for business decision-making.

- Drive cost optimization, profitability improvement, and financial efficiency initiatives.

- Establish and strengthen financial policies, procedures, and internal control systems.

2. Accounting & Financial Reporting:

- Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and bank reconciliations.

- Ensure accurate and timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.

- Manage monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing activities.

- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and company accounting policies.

- Review balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, and other management reports.

- Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial records and reporting.

3. Manufacturing Finance & Cost Control:

- Manage manufacturing-related accounting, costing, and financial analysis.

- Monitor raw material, work-in-progress (WIP), finished goods, and inventory valuation.

- Analyse product costing, production costs, overheads, and manufacturing variances.

- Work closely with production, procurement, stores, and operations teams to improve cost efficiency.

- Monitor material consumption, wastage, scrap, yield, and production-related costs.

- Support product profitability analysis, cost reduction initiatives, and pricing decisions.

- Ensure appropriate accounting and financial controls over inventory and fixed assets.

4. Taxation & Statutory Compliance:

- Oversee direct and indirect tax compliance, including GST and TDS.

- Ensure timely and accurate filing of statutory returns and payment of applicable taxes.

- Coordinate with external consultants, tax authorities, and statutory auditors as required.

- Manage tax assessments, notices, reconciliations, and related documentation.

- Ensure compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

- Monitor changes in tax laws and accounting regulations relevant to the business.

5. Budgeting, Cash Flow & Working Capital Management:

- Prepare and monitor budgets, forecasts, and periodic financial projections.

- Manage cash flow planning, fund allocation, and liquidity requirements.

- Monitor working capital, including receivables, payables, inventory, and operating cash cycles.

- Ensure timely collection of outstanding receivables and effective credit control.

- Manage banking relationships, fund-based and non-fund-based facilities, and bank documentation.

- Support treasury operations, payment planning, and utilization of available funds.

- Identify opportunities to improve cash flow and optimize working capital.

6. SAP & Financial Systems:

- Demonstrate strong hands-on experience in SAP for Finance and Accounts operations.

- Oversee financial transactions, reporting, reconciliations, and accounting controls within SAP.

- Ensure accurate financial data, effective system utilization, and adherence to defined processes.

- Coordinate with IT and relevant departments to improve financial systems and reporting.

- Leverage SAP reports and financial data for analysis, planning, and decision-making.

- Support system improvements, process standardization, and automation initiatives.

7. Audit & Internal Controls:

- Coordinate statutory, internal, tax, and other applicable audits.

- Ensure audit schedules, supporting documents, and financial records are maintained accurately.

- Strengthen internal financial controls and ensure adherence to company policies.

- Identify control gaps, financial risks, and opportunities for process improvement.

- Ensure timely closure of audit observations and implementation of corrective actions.

- Maintain transparency, accuracy, and accountability across financial processes.

8. Team Management & Leadership:

- Lead, guide, and mentor the Finance & Accounts team.

- Allocate responsibilities, monitor deliverables, and ensure timely completion of tasks.

- Build team capability through training, performance reviews, and process improvement.

- Establish clear performance objectives and promote accountability within the team.

- Collaborate effectively with production, procurement, HR, sales, and senior management.

- Demonstrate strong leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills.

- Handle financial matters independently and take ownership of the department's deliverables.

9. MIS & Business Support:

- Prepare and present periodic financial MIS, management reports, and dashboards.

- Analyse revenue, expenses, margins, profitability, and key financial performance indicators.

- Provide actionable insights to management on financial trends, business risks, and opportunities.

- Support strategic business planning, investment evaluation, and financial feasibility analysis.

- Ensure timely availability of accurate financial information for management decisions.

Mandatory Requirements:

- Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA).

- 12 - 15 years of relevant experience in Finance & Accounts.

- Strong hands-on experience in SAP; SAP FICO experience would be preferred.

- Prior experience in a manufacturing organisation is strongly preferred.

- Proven experience in team handling and leading the Finance & Accounts function.

- Strong knowledge of accounting, taxation, financial reporting, budgeting, and statutory compliance.

- Hands-on exposure to manufacturing costing, inventory management, working capital, and cash flow management.

- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.

- Ability to work independently and interact effectively with senior management.

Key Competencies:

- Strong financial and commercial acumen.

- Leadership and team management.

- Strategic thinking and business partnering.

- Attention to detail and accuracy.

- Cost consciousness and process improvement.

- Planning, prioritisation, and time management.

- Integrity, accountability, and professional ethics.

- Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will be a qualified CA with 12 - 15 years of relevant experience, preferably in the manufacturing sector, and a strong combination of strategic financial leadership and hands-on operational finance expertise. The candidate must be proficient in SAP, capable of independently managing the Finance & Accounts function, and experienced in leading teams while ensuring robust financial controls, compliance, and business profitability.