Plant Cost Controller

Lactalis India; Bhopal, Ahmednagar; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Lactalis India in Bhopal and Shrirampur seeks an experienced Industrial Cost Controller to lead budgeting, forecasting and financial analyses. You will collaborate with plant management, corporate teams and other departments to drive cost efficiency and improve KPIs.

The role requires ICWA/CMA with 5+ years of experience, SAP knowledge preferred and strong Excel skills. Travel to plant locations (min 30%) is expected, and English leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• ICWA or CMA qualification is required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a related role.
• Strong costing, variance analysis, budgeting and process improvement knowledge.
• SAP knowledge is preferred; Excel proficiency is mandatory.
• Strong leadership and clear English communication while coordinating with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Budget development with operational management; prepare and file templates; ensure accuracy.
• Prepare provisional results; run variance analyses; support closing; propose action plans and cash management.
• Drive performance indicators and monitor KPIs.
• Assist in forecasting; challenge forecast data for accuracy and reliability.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally; share knowledge and support decision-making.
• Perform financial analyses by profit center; provide data mining and reporting.
• Support cost management and financial business modeling to improve plant performance.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Change management

Intellectual curiosity

Leadership

English communication

Education

ICWA / CMA

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

Job Position Number: LIEMC2402

Department: Finance / Operational Control
Location: The vacant position is in Bhopal and Shrirampur .
Qualification: ICWA / CMA
Years of Experience: Minimum 5 years

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Budget Development:

• Collaborate with operational management in budget development.
• Prepare and file budget templates, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
• Challenge data and consolidate financial information.

2. Results Management:

• Prepare provisional results and load them into the controlling tool.
• Conduct result and variance analyses against budget and previous year.
• Support the accounting department during closing, presenting and explaining results.
• Propose and implement action plans, conduct ad hoc analyses, and assist in cash management.
• Drive, animate, and monitor performance indicators.

3. Forecasting:

• Assist operational management in developing and building forecasts.
• Challenge forecast data for accuracy and reliability.

4. Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Work effectively with other departments.
• Share knowledge and information.
• Assist operational managers in utilizing financial tools and decision-making.

Technical Skills:

1. Industrial Efficiency:

• Collaborate closely with Plant Manager and corporate team to monitor and analyze industrial equipment efficiency and KPIs.
• Apply strategies to improve overall plant efficiency.

2. Management Analysis:

• Perform comprehensive financial analyses with accuracy, consistency, and integrity.
• Utilize financial and accounting data to conduct analyses by profit center.

3. Controlling/Financial Business Modeling:

• Provide support to business functions in cost management and decision-making.
• Contribute to the performance of the plan through financial modeling.

4. Financial Data Mining and Reporting:

• Process and interpret data to produce effective reports.
• Understand the impact of erroneous data on company systems and statistics.

Transversal Skills:

1. Analytical Thinking:

• Rigorously analyze data and situations to identify causes/effects and make effective decisions.

2. Change Management:

• Maintain effectiveness and adaptability during major changes in work responsibilities or environment.
• Adjust to new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

3. Intellectual Curiosity:

• Be receptive to new ideas and opinions.
• Demonstrate openness to learning and adapting to the business environment to contribute to the Group's development.

Desired Profile:

• Good knowledge of costing, variance analysis, budget preparation, and process improvement.
• Preferably from Dairy Manufacturing, though not mandatory.
• Knowledge of SAP is preferable; proficiency in Excel is mandatory.
• Strong leadership and communication skills in English.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders and ensure adherence to deadlines.
• Willingness to travel to plant locations (minimum 30% of working time).
• Preference given to candidates demonstrating potential for development within the organization.

Reporting Structure: Will be reporting to Industrial Cost Controller