Group Chief Financial Officer - Manufacturing

Preferred Candidate Profile (Must Have):

• Candidates with strong familiarity with North India business ecosystems will be preferred.
• Individuals originating from Punjab or having strong personal, cultural, or family connections to the region would be advantageous.
• Willingness and ability to relocate to Punjab along with family is essential.
• Strong Financial Controller background with deep expertise in costing, financial controls, accounting standards, performance management, value creation initiatives, and fundraising activities.
• Ability to run finance function across multiple manufacturing plants.
• Proven experience in manufacturing organizations with responsibility across multiple plants and complex operational environments.
• Stable career progression with strong professional credibility and long-term organizational commitment.

About the Role:

The Group Chief Financial Officer (Group CFO) will be responsible for providing strategic financial leadership across a diversified business group with multiple operating entities and business verticals. The role involves driving financial performance, capital allocation, treasury management, corporate governance, risk management, investor relations, and long-term value creation. The Group CFO will work closely with the Board, Promoters, Business Heads, and Leadership Team to support growth initiatives, operational excellence, and strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Finance & Business Partnership:

• Partner with the Board and senior leadership to formulate and execute the Groups financial strategy.
• Provide insights on business performance, profitability, capital deployment, and growth opportunities.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-term business planning.

2. Financial Control & Governance:

• Ensure robust financial controls, policies, and governance frameworks across all business entities.
• Oversee financial reporting, accounting, audits, taxation, and statutory compliance.
• Drive standardization of financial processes and reporting mechanisms across the Group.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and best corporate governance.

3. Treasury & Capital Management:

• Manage Group treasury operations, banking relationships, and liquidity planning.
• Optimize capital structure, working capital, and cash flow management.
• Lead debt raising, refinancing, and capital market transactions as required.
• Evaluate funding requirements for existing and new business initiatives.

4. Performance Management:

• Establish financial and operational performance metrics across business units.
• Monitor profitability, cost efficiency, return on capital employed, and business productivity.
• Drive margin enhancement, cost optimization, and operational efficiency.

5. Risk Management:

• Develop and strengthen enterprise risk management frameworks.
• Identify financial, operational, regulatory, and strategic risks and implement mitigation plans.
• Ensure adequate insurance coverage and business continuity planning.

6. Stakeholder Management:

• Build strong relationships with banks, financial institutions, auditors, advisors, regulators, and investors.
• Present financial performance and strategic initiatives to the Board and key stakeholders.
• Support fundraising, investor communication, and due diligence activities.
• Lead negotiations with lenders, rating agencies, and strategic partners to support business objectives.

7. Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead and develop finance teams across multiple business units and geographies.
• Foster a culture of accountability, performance excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Drive finance transformation initiatives, including process automation and digitalization.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration to support strategic and operational business goals.

Key Deliverables:

• Group-wide financial strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Accurate and timely consolidated financial reporting.
• Run finance function across multiple manufacturing plants.
• Efficient treasury and working capital management.
• Improved profitability and return on capital.
• Robust governance, compliance, and risk management framework.
• Successful execution of fundraising, M&A, and strategic finance initiatives.
• Enhanced financial visibility and decision-support systems for leadership.
• Strong stakeholder confidence and financial credibility.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Revenue growth, EBITDA expansion, and overall profitability improvement.
• Effective working capital management, cash flow generation, and treasury optimization.
• Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) and Return on Equity (ROE) enhancement.
• Timely, accurate, and compliant financial reporting, audit closure, and regulatory adherence.
• Successful execution of strategic initiatives, including fundraising, M&A, and capital allocation decisions.
• Cost optimization, operational efficiency improvements, and value creation across business units.
• Development of a high-performing finance organization through talent management, succession planning, and process automation.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Chartered Accountant (CA) is mandatory; MBA/CPA/CFA preferred.
• 1825+ years of progressive experience in finance leadership roles.
• Prior experience in large manufacturing-led organizations or diversified business groups operating across sectors such as Textiles, Paper & Packaging, Chemicals, FMCG, Consumer Products, Infrastructure, Building Materials, or Renewable Energy.
• Exposure to complex multi-entity structures, listed companies, and large-scale operations with revenues exceeding 2,000 Cr will be highly preferred.
• Ability to run finance function across multiple manufacturing plants.
• Proven experience as CFO, Group CFO, Finance Director, or equivalent senior leadership position within a large diversified organization.
• Strong exposure to manufacturing and diversified business environments is preferred.
• Highly driven, result-oriented professional with a strong ownership mindset and passion for excellence.
• Demonstrated experience in treasury, capital raising, M&A, business finance, taxation, and corporate governance.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations, accounting standards, and risk management practices.
• Demonstrated leadership capability with a track record of building high-performing teams and delivering sustained business results.
• Experience in leading large, multi-location finance teams.

Required Competencies:

1. Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Executive presence and stakeholder management.
• Change management and organizational leadership.
• High level of integrity and ethical judgment.

2. Functional Competencies:

• Financial planning and analysis.
• Treasury and capital management.
• Corporate finance and M&A.
• Risk management and governance.
• Financial reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Performance management and business partnering.

3. Behavioral Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive decision-making.
• Results-oriented with a focus on execution excellence.
• Collaborative leadership style with strong people management capabilities.