Head - Finance - FMCG

Finance Head - FMCG Business
Location: Chennai
Experience: 15 - 20 years
Qualification: CA - Mandatory
Industry: FMCG / Consumer Products - Mandatory
About the Role:
We are looking for a senior Finance Leader to head the Finance & Accounts function for a growing FMCG business. The role will work closely with the CFO and Business Leadership Team and will be responsible for driving financial performance, business finance, commercial finance, FP&A, accounting, controls and cash flow management.
The ideal candidate should have strong experience in the FMCG / Consumer Products sector and a proven track record of partnering with business leaders to improve profitability, margins, working capital and overall business performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Accounting & Reporting:
- Lead monthly, quarterly and annual financial closure and reporting.
- Ensure strong financial controls, reconciliations and accounting processes.
- Drive management MIS and business performance reporting.
- Review provisions, accruals, revenue recognition and other key accounting matters.
Business Finance & FP&A:
- Partner with the Business Head and leadership team on revenue, profitability and cash-flow targets.
- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
- Analyse business performance and provide insights on key drivers, risks and opportunities.
- Drive profitability analysis across products, categories, brands, channels and customers.
- Identify opportunities for margin improvement and cost optimization.
Commercial Finance:
- Evaluate pricing decisions, commercial proposals and business cases.
- Analyse manufacturing, logistics, distribution, marketing and other operating costs.
- Support new product launches, investments and strategic initiatives through financial modelling and scenario analysis.
Working Capital & Cash Flow:
- Drive inventory optimization and improve inventory turns.
- Monitor receivables, payables and cash conversion cycle.
- Improve cash-flow forecasting and working capital efficiency.
- Partner with procurement, manufacturing and sales teams on working capital improvement initiatives.
Controls, Governance & Risk:
- Strengthen internal financial controls and governance processes.

- Ensure adherence to SOPs and Delegation of Authority.
- Lead internal, statutory and other financial audits.
- Identify financial and operational risks and drive appropriate mitigation.
Treasury & Banking:
- Monitor liquidity and overall cash-flow requirements.
- Work with Corporate Treasury on banking and financing matters.
- Support channel / dealer finance initiatives.
Ideal Candidate:
- CA qualification is mandatory.
- 15 - 20 years of progressive experience in Finance & Accounts.
- FMCG / Consumer Products experience is mandatory.
- Strong exposure to Business Finance, Commercial Finance, FP&A and Financial Accounting.
- Proven experience in P&L management and business partnering.
- Strong understanding of FMCG profitability, pricing, distribution / channel economics and cost management.
- Experience managing working capital, cash flow and treasury activities.
- Strong exposure to internal controls, audit and governance.
- Excellent analytical, commercial and strategic thinking abilities.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience with SAP / ERP and BI tools would be an advantage.