Finance Controller/Manager

Taas Partners; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Habanero Foods in Bengaluru seeks a Head of Finance / Finance Controller to own the finance function in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting. You will partner with the founder and CFO to drive strategic financial leadership.

You will manage accounting, MIS, cash flow forecasting, working capital, compliance and controls, and you will build and lead a finance team as the business scales. Prior D2C/FMCG/commerce exposure is valued.

Qualifications

• CA preferred, CMA/MBA (Finance) may be considered.
• Strong accounting and finance fundamentals are essential.
• Experience in a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day finance and accounting operations.
• Prepare monthly P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and MIS.
• Drive monthly book closure and accuracy of records.
• Manage AR/AP, revenue recognition and cost accounting.
• Build and lead a finance team as the business scales.
• Ensure GST, TDS and statutory compliance.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial Modelling

AR/AP Management

GST & Tax Compliance

Zoho Books / Tally

Education

CA preferred

CMA / MBA (Finance) considered

Tools

Zoho Books

Tally

Job description

Role Overview

We are looking for a Head of Finance / Finance Controller to take ownership of the finance function at Habanero Foods.

This is a high-ownership role for someone who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and can independently manage the core finance function while partnering closely with the founder and the CFO.

The role will cover accounting, financial reporting, MIS, AR/AP, inventory, cash flow forecasting, cash management, compliance, controls and commercial finance.

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to build and lead a finance team as the business scales.

Role & responsibilities :

1.Finance & Accounting

• Own day-to-day finance and accounting operations.
• Drive timely monthly book closure and ensure accuracy of accounting records.
• Prepare monthly P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and management MIS.
• Ensure accurate accounting of revenue, expenses, inventory, receivables and payables.
• Improve accounting processes and finance systems.
• Coordinate with auditors, tax advisors and external stakeholders.

2. MIS & Business Reporting

• Own the monthly MIS and management reporting process.
• Prepare variance analysis against budgets, forecasts and prior periods.
• Develop business dashboards and management KPIs.
• Provide insights on revenue, gross margins, contribution margins, operating costs and profitability.
• Partner with the CFO and Founder on financial and business analysis.
• Develop reporting to enable faster and informed business decisions.

3. Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Own weekly and monthly cash flow forecasting.
• Maintain rolling cash flow forecasts and proactively identify funding requirements and cash gaps.
• Monitor collections, vendor payments, inventory and overall working capital.
• Drive improvements in the cash conversion cycle.
• Support cash management, banking and treasury activities.
• Partner with the Founder and CFO on working capital strategy and funding requirements.

4. Accounts Receivable & Payable

• Own the AR and AP function.
• Monitor customer collections and outstanding receivables.
• Reconcile customer accounts and resolve deductions, claims and disputes.
• Ensure timely and accurate vendor payments.
• Establish effective credit, collection and payment processes.
• Track ageing and working capital metrics and proactively escape issues.

5. Quick Commerce & Marketplace Finance

• Own financial reconciliations across Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart, Amazon, Flipkart and other platforms.
• Reconcile platform sales, settlements, commissions, discounts, claims, deductions, marketing spends and other charges.
• Identify and recover incorrect deductions, claims and short payments.
• Track platform-wise revenue, gross margin and contribution margin.
• Partner with sales and operations teams to improve channel profitability.
• Establish robust marketplace reconciliation and settlement tracking processes.
• Prior experience with quick-commerce or marketplace platforms will be an advantage.

6. Inventory & Cost Management

• Own inventory accounting and stock reconciliation.
• Monitor inventory levels, ageing, stock movement and holding periods.
• Analyse product-level gross margins and manufacturing costs.
• Track wastage, expiry, write-offs and inventory variances.
• Support costing and financial evaluation of new product launches.
• Partner with operations and supply chain teams to identify cost optimisation opportunities.

7. Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Support annual budgeting and business planning.
• Prepare rolling forecasts and periodic reforecasts.
• Build financial models for new products, channels and growth initiatives.
• Analyse profitability across products, channels and customers.
• Support decisions on pricing, promotions, marketing spends and channel expansion.

8. Compliance & Financial Controls

• Ensure timely compliance with GST, TDS, Income Tax and other applicable statutory requirements.
• Coordinate statutory and tax audits.
• Strengthen internal financial controls and SOPs.
• Establish controls across procurement, inventory, sales, collections and payments.
• Drive automation and digitisation of finance processes.

9. Team Building & Finance Function Development

• Build and develop the finance team as the business scales.
• Define roles, responsibilities and processes within the finance function.
• Mentor and develop finance team members.
• Establish scalable finance processes and controls.
• Build a finance function that supports the companys transition from an entrepreneurial setup to a larger, professionally managed organisation

Qualification

• CA preferred
• CMA / MBA (Finance) with strong relevant experience may also be considered.
• Strong accounting and finance fundamentals are essential.

Experience

• 46 years of relevant experience in Finance & Accounts / Financial Controllership.
• Experience in D2C, FMCG, Food & Beverage, e-commerce, consumer brands or quick commerce strongly preferred.
• Experience managing a finance function independently will be an advantage.
• Experience with Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart, Amazon, Flipkart or similar marketplace platforms is highly desirable.
• Strong experience in AR/AP, inventory accounting, working capital and cash flow management.
• Experience in a high-growth entrepreneurial environment preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong accounting and financial reporting knowledge.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Experience with Zoho Books, Tally or similar ERP/accounting systems.
• Strong understanding of GST, TDS and statutory compliance.
• Experience in MIS preparation, budgeting and financial analysis.
• Strong understanding of inventory and cost accounting.
• Ability to build and maintain cash flow forecasts.