Experience: 15+ years in cost control, financial planning, and cost accounting within a publicly listed automotive manufacturing organization
Qualification: Cost & Management Accountant (ICWA/CMA)
Age: Around 45 years

Key Responsibilities:

1. Cost Control & Financial Controlling

• Establish and implement cost control strategies to optimize profitability and efficiency.
• Oversee cost accounting processes across all plants, ensuring accuracy in cost allocation.
• Analyze cost structures, overhead allocations, and production variances, identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor and control manufacturing costs, standard costs, and actual costs, ensuring alignment with financial goals.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives in collaboration with operations, procurement, and finance teams.
• Benchmark cost structures and financial controls with industry best practices.

2. Budgeting, Forecasting & Variance Analysis

• Lead cost budgeting and forecasting for multi-plant operations.
• Conduct variance analysis, investigating and resolving discrepancies in cost reporting.
• Develop costing models for new product development and manufacturing efficiency.
• Monitor standard vs. actual cost variances, ensuring corrective action plans are implemented.
• Review and control capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx), ensuring budget adherence.

3. Compliance, Cost Audits & Regulatory Adherence

• Ensure compliance with cost accounting standards, SEBI regulations, and financial disclosure norms for a publicly listed company.
• Manage cost audits, internal audits, and statutory compliance, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
• Coordinate with auditors and regulatory authorities to ensure smooth cost reporting and compliance.
• Establish and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard financial integrity.

4. Standard Costing & Pricing Strategy

• Implement and maintain standard costing methodologies across all plants.
• Evaluate and optimize pricing strategies to ensure profitability and market competitiveness.
• Conduct product cost analysis, identifying margin improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with procurement and production teams to assess the impact of raw material price fluctuations.

5. Inventory Valuation & Working Capital Optimization

• Ensure accurate inventory valuation, slow-moving & obsolete stock analysis, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Control working capital efficiency, focusing on inventory, material cost forecasting, and provisioning.
• Collaborate with supply chain teams to optimize inventory levels and procurement strategies.

6. Financial Reporting & Business Partnering

• Prepare and present cost reports, MIS, and financial analysis for senior leadership.
• Provide financial insights to support strategic decision-making and cost optimization.
• Work closely with plant heads, finance, and operational teams to enhance cost efficiency and financial performance.

7. Team Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead and mentor the cost accounting and financial control teams.
• Implement best practices in cost control, process automation, and ERP integration (SAP preferred).
• Drive continuous process improvements to enhance reporting accuracy and decision-making efficiency.

Key Requirements:

-ICWA qualified professional with 15+ years of experience in cost control and financial planning within a publicly listed automotive manufacturing company.
-Strong expertise in cost accounting, variance analysis, and standard costing.
-Proven track record of cost control, cost audits, and compliance management in a multi-plant environment.
-Experience working with ERP systems (SAP preferred) and financial reporting tools.
-Deep understanding of SEBI regulations, corporate governance, and financial disclosure norms.
-Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
-Strong leadership and stakeholder management abilities.