Position Description

Business Division: Finance - Corporate

Department: FP&A / Accounting

Location: Mumbai

Position Title: Head FP&A and Accounting

Reporting to (Title): CFO India

Position Purpose

The Head FP&A and Accounting will lead the integrated Finance function, encompassing Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Controlling, Accounting, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and digital finance transformation. Acting as a strategic business partner to the CFO and senior leadership team, the role drives financial strategy, governance, operational excellence, cost optimization, accurate reporting, and sustainable growth in a multi-locational manufacturing environment with complex structures.

Profile Requirements

Educational Qualification

- Qualified Chartered Accountant

Experience 15-20 years of progressive experience in FP&A, Controllership, strategic finance leadership roles, and reporting in a MNC manufacturing company with multi-locational plants and complex structure

Key Responsibility FP&A & Strategic Finance

- Lead end-to-end FP&A processes: strategic planning, annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, variance analysis, scenario modeling and decision support across the organization.

- Deliver actionable financial insights, performance analytics, and KPI dashboards to support business leaders in driving margin improvement, operational efficiency, and growth initiatives.

- Partner closely with the CFO on long-term financial strategy, capital allocation, investment evaluation, M&A due diligence, and new business opportunities.

- Maintain strong oversight of key financial metrics and business performance; drive data-driven decision-making through advanced analytics.

- Lead digital finance transformation initiatives, including ERP enhancements, automation, AI-driven tools, and cross-functional process standardization.

Accounting, Controlling & Compliance

- Oversee the full financial accounting cycle: preparation of statutory financial statements, management reporting, consolidation, and compliance with Indian GAAP, Ind AS/IFRS, and other relevant standards.

- Direct financial controlling to ensure accurate, timely, and high- quality financial reporting, process discipline, and adherence to group policies.

- Foster a culture of first-time-right accuracy, timeline discipline, change management, and continuous process improvement across the finance ecosystem.

- Lead all statutory, group, internal, and corporate audits; ensure timely closure with robust documentation and zero surprises.

- Build and maintain a state-of-the-art compliance and internal controls framework with strong focus on governance and risk mitigation.

Risk Management, Governance & Leadership

- Establish and lead enterprise risk management and internal audit frameworks to proactively identify, assess, mitigate, and monitor risks.

- Promote ethical leadership, integrity, and process excellence throughout the finance function.

- Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of 5-6 direct reports, fostering collaboration, professional development, and alignment with organizational values (innovation, sustainability, integrity).

- Engage proactively with key stakeholders: senior management, business units, external auditors/advisors, and global teams to manage relationships and resolve complex issues.

- Drive change management, challenge the status quo, and lead complex cross-functional projects with strict timelines and high accuracy standards.

Target Industries for talent to be looked at

Multinational organizations of similar size with local manufacturing and similar business complexity (e.g., chemicals, FMCG, pharma, engineering, or heavy industries)

Preferred Background

- Experience in similar-sized MNCs with local manufacturing and multi-business-unit complexity.

- Demonstrated success in digital tools, automation, ERP implementations, and AI-driven finance solutions.

Qualifications & Experience

- Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) mandatory.

- 15-20 years of progressive experience in FP&A, Controllership, Accounting, Strategic Finance, and leadership roles.

- Proven track record in a multinational manufacturing company (preferably chemicals, FMCG, pharma, engineering, or heavy industries) with multi-plant operations, complex structures, and international reporting.

- Strong exposure to Indian GAAP, Ind AS/IFRS, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, audit processes, and internal controls

Soft Competencies - Strategic & Leadership

- Ethical leadership

- Directing others

- Building effective teams

- Coaching and mentoring

- Excellent attitude

Expert

- Active listening & adaptability

- Conflict resolution

- Decision-making & risk-taking

- Critical thinking & driving new ideas

Base

- Solution orientation

- Collaboration & teamwork

Coordination

Hard Competencies - Fundamentals

- Professional MS Office skills & Presentation skills

- Financial principles & accounting standards

Core Professional

- Financial reporting & budgeting

- Accounting and compliance

Managerial

- Strategic planning of financial resources

- Risk management

- Audit procedures & internal controls

- Process improvement

Leadership & Soft Skills

- Ethical leadership with strong executive presence and stakeholder management.

- Strategic mindset, directing others, building effective teams, coaching/mentoring.

- Active listening, adaptability, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and decision-making under uncertainty.

- Solution-oriented, collaborative, and team-focused.

Technical & Hard Skills

- Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and presentation skills.

- Deep knowledge of financial principles, accounting standards, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.

- Strong grasp of risk management, audit procedures, internal controls, and process improvement.

- Strategic financial resource planning and project management capabilities.

- High digital acumen - comfortable implementing complex tools and driving automation.

Candidate Preference

- A business-savvy finance leader with deep expertise in FP&A, accounting, controlling, and governance, capable of evolving into broader CFO-level responsibilities.

- Natural orientation toward timeline discipline, first-time-right delivery, accuracy, and challenging the status quo.

- Strong change agent with proven ability to drive standardization, transformation, and operational excellence in multi-locational environments.