Head of Finance

COMPANY: Leading Apparel ManufacturerPOSITION: Head of FinanceSALARY: Gross Rs 1 mn ++OVERVIEW:We are seeking an experienced Head of Finance to lead the company's finance and accounting functions, ensure strong financial governance, and support strategic business growth. The ideal candidate will have 10–12+ years of progressive experience in finance, preferably within the apparel, garment, textile, or manufacturing industry.The successful candidate will oversee financial planning and analysis, budgeting, cash flow management, costing, working capital, financial reporting, taxation, compliance, and internal controls. This role requires a strong understanding of manufacturing economics, inventory management, product costing, and operational efficiency, together with the ability to provide actionable financial insights to senior management.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Financial Planning & Strategic ManagementDevelop and implement financial strategies aligned with the company's business objectives.Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and long-term financial modelling.Provide management with financial analysis, business performance insights, and recommendations.Monitor financial KPIs, profitability, revenue trends, and operating expenses.Evaluate investment proposals, capital expenditure, and business expansion opportunities.2. Financial Reporting & AccountingOversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing processes.Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements and management reports.Maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards, statutory requirements, and company policies.Coordinate annual audits and liaise with external auditors, tax advisers, banks, and other stakeholders.Establish and maintain robust financial controls, accounting procedures, and reporting systems.3. Manufacturing Costing & ProfitabilityOversee product costing, standard costing, cost allocation, and cost variance analysis.Monitor raw material, labour, production overhead, and other manufacturing costs.Analyse product, customer, order, and factory-level profitability.Work closely with production, merchandising, procurement, and operations teams to identify cost-saving opportunities.Monitor production efficiency, material wastage, inventory variances, and cost overruns.Support pricing decisions, quotation preparation, and margin improvement initiatives.4. Cash Flow & Working Capital ManagementManage cash flow forecasting, liquidity planning, and short-term funding requirements.Monitor working capital, including inventory, receivables, payables, and supplier credit terms.Maintain effective relationships with banks and financial institutions.Oversee credit management, collections, payment planning, and foreign currency exposure where applicable.Optimise working capital to support uninterrupted business operations.5. Budgeting, Forecasting & Business AnalysisLead departmental budgeting and periodic reforecasting.Analyse budget-versus-actual performance and investigate significant variances.Develop financial dashboards and management reports to support informed decision-making.Identify financial risks, operational inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve profitability.Provide financial evaluation of customer contracts, new product lines, and major business initiatives.6. Taxation, Compliance & Risk ManagementEnsure timely and accurate submission of tax returns and statutory reports.Monitor compliance with applicable tax laws, labour-related financial obligations, and regulatory requirements.Identify financial and operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.Strengthen internal audit processes, approval mechanisms, and segregation of duties.Ensure proper documentation and controls over financial transactions and company assets.7. Inventory & Supply Chain FinanceOversee financial controls relating to raw materials, work in progress, finished goods, and inventory valuation.Monitor slow-moving, obsolete, and excess inventory.Collaborate with supply chain, procurement, warehouse, and production teams to improve inventory accuracy and turnover.Ensure proper reconciliation of stock records, physical counts, and financial ledgers.Support purchasing decisions and supplier negotiations through financial analysis.8. Leadership & Team DevelopmentLead, mentor, and develop the finance and accounting team.Establish clear performance objectives and improve departmental productivity.Drive automation, process improvements, and enhancements to financial reporting systems.Work cross-functionally with senior management and operational teams to achieve business targets.Promote a culture of accountability, financial discipline, and continuous improvement.PRE - REQUISITES:Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline.Professional qualification such as CA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA, or an equivalent recognised qualification; fully qualified candidates preferred.Minimum 10–12+ years of progressive experience in finance and accounting, with substantial experience in a senior finance management role.Prior experience in the apparel, garment, textile, or manufacturing industry is strongly preferred.