Plant Controller

Smiths Group; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,800,000 - 4,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Detection is seeking a Plant Controller in Bengaluru to manage the financial operations of the Bangalore assembly facility, driving budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and governance. You will partner with plant leadership to optimize profitability, monitor variances, and support audits and statutory compliance.

The role requires strong experience in manufacturing finance, cost accounting, and ERP systems (SAP preferred), with a focus on inventory governance and working capital

Qualifications

• CA or CPA is mandatory and must be registered as a professional.
• MBA in Finance and SAP or related cost-management certifications preferred.
• 8–12 years of post-qualification experience in manufacturing finance and plant controllership.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning for the plant.
• Analyze plant performance against budgets and identify variances.
• Provide actionable insights to improve profitability, productivity, and cost efficiency.
• Prepare monthly management reports, dashboards, and KPI reviews.
• Manage standard costing, product costing, BOM/routing cost review, and variance analysis.
• Monitor manufacturing costs, overhead absorption, labour efficiency, material usage, and production variances.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives across production and support functions.
• Evaluate investment proposals and support capital expenditure decisions.
• Establish internal controls, compliance with Companies Act and governance requirements.
• Support audits and close processes, and assist the Finance Director on broader controllership matters.

Skills

Manufacturing Finance

Plant Controllership

Cost Accounting

Product Costing

Variance Analysis

Budgeting & Forecasting

Financial Analysis

Inventory Management

Internal Controls

Excel & Modelling

Education

CA or CPA

MBA Finance

SAP knowledge

Tools

SAP

Job description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection, is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state‑of‑the‑art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

The Plant Controller will be responsible for managing the financial operations of the Bangalore assembly facility, ensuring robust financial controls, cost management, inventory governance, compliance, and strategic business partnering with plant leadership. The incumbent will drive operational excellence through financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring while ensuring adherence to statutory and corporate governance requirements.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long‑range financial planning for the plant.
• Analyse plant performance against budgets and identify key variances.
• Provide actionable insights to improve profitability, productivity, and cost efficiency.
• Prepare monthly management reports, dashboards, and KPI reviews.
• Manage standard costing, product costing, BOM/routing cost review, and variance analysis.
• Monitor manufacturing costs, overhead absorption, labour efficiency, material usage, purchase price variance, scrap/rework, and production variances.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives across production and support functions.
• Evaluate investment proposals and support capital expenditure decisions.

Inventory & Working Capital Management

• Ensure accurate inventory accounting and valuation.
• Monitor inventory levels, slow‑moving and obsolete stocks.
• Lead physical inventory verification, cycle count, and reconciliation processes.
• Drive working capital improvement initiatives, including inventory turns and cash visibility.
• Establish and strengthen internal controls across plant operations.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, company policies, delegation of authority, and statutory requirements.
• Support month‑end close, balance sheet reconciliations, fixed asset controls, provisions, accruals, and reporting for plant‑related areas.
• Support internal, statutory, cost, and tax audits, and ensure timely closure of audit observations.
• Monitor financial risks and implement mitigation measures.

Corporate Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Companies Act and corporate governance requirements.
• Coordinate with auditors, regulators, consultants, and external stakeholders as required.
• Maintain adherence to internal policies and regulatory requirements.

Business Partnering

• Partner with Plant Head and Operations teams to improve business performance.
• Support manufacturing excellence initiatives through financial analytics.
• Provide commercial inputs for sourcing, pricing, and operational decisions.
• Participate in strategic projects, process improvements, SAP discipline, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Support the Finance Director on broader Smiths Detection India controllership, reporting, audit, and compliance matters as required.

Qualifications

• Manufacturing Finance & Plant Controllership
• Cost Accounting, Product Costing & Variance Analysis
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Financial Analysis & Business Partnering
• Inventory Management, Working Capital & Fixed Assets
• Internal Controls, Risk Management & Audit Support
• Statutory Compliance, Corporate Governance & Secretarial Compliance
• Advanced Excel and Financial Modelling
• Strong Stakeholder Management Skills

Educational Qualifications

Mandatory:

• Chartered Accountant (CA) or CPA

Preferred:

• MBA finance and additional certification in Cost Management, SAP, or Financial Planning.

Experience Requirements

• 8-12 years of post‑qualification experience in manufacturing, assembly, automotive, industrial, engineering, or process industries.
• Strong experience in plant finance, cost controlling, inventory accounting, month‑end close, audits, and manufacturing operations.
• Exposure to ERP environments, with SAP preferred.
• Experience in driving financial controls, statutory compliance and audit processes.
• Demonstrates the required functional and/or technical knowledge and skills to achieve the highest level of accomplishment.

Additional Information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial andlifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world‑leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.