Plant Cost Controller

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

Job summary

Lactalis India is seeking an experienced Finance/Operational Controller for its Bhopal Anik Dairy Plant. The role requires ICWA/CMA qualification or inter, with a minimum of 5 years in cost control, budgeting, and financial analysis. Travel to plant locations (min 30%) is expected.

Strong Excel skills and English communication are essential to drive cross-departmental financial insights. The position reports to the Industrial Cost Controller and involves budgeting, forecasting, and business

Qualifications

• 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).

Responsibilities

• Budget Development: Collaborate with operational management in budget development; file budget templates; consolidate data.
• Results Management: Prepare provisional results and load into the controlling tool; analyze variances.
• Forecasting: Assist in developing and building forecasts; challenge data for accuracy.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work with other departments and share information.
• Industrial Efficiency: Monitor equipment KPIs and collaborate with Plant Manager to improve efficiency.
• Management Analysis: Conduct comprehensive financial analyses by profit center.
• Controlling/Financial Business Modeling: Support cost management and decision-making.
• Financial Data Mining and Reporting: Process data to produce reports and ensure data integrity.

Skills

Budgeting

Variance analysis

Costing

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Leadership

Communication in English

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Education

ICWA / CMA (Fully Qualified or Inter)

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

Department: Finance / Operational Control

Location: The vacant position is in Bhopal Anik Dairy Plant

Qualification: ICWA / CMA Fully Qualified or Inter

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.

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

Roles and Responsibilities

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.