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.