Plant Cost controller

Lactalis India; Chittoor; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Lactalis India is seeking a Cost Controller for the Palamaner plant in Andhra Pradesh. The role requires ICWA/CMA with at least five years of cost-controlling experience and strong SAP/Excel proficiency.

You will collaborate with operations to develop budgets, analyze variances, and support forecasting and decision-making. Travel to plant locations (about 30%) is expected, with strong leadership and communication in English.

Qualifications

• ICWA/CMA qualification required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in cost controlling or related field.
• SAP knowledge and advanced Excel skills preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% of time.

Responsibilities

• Develop and consolidate plant budgets with operations.
• Prepare provisional results and variance analyses against budget and previous year.
• Support month-end closing and explain results to management.
• Drive cost control actions and monitor KPIs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize cost and forecasting.

Skills

Costing

Variance Analysis

Budget prep

Process improvement

SAP

Excel

Education

ICWA / CMA

Job description

Job description

Job Description: Cost Controller - Plant

Job Position Number: LIEMC2402

Department: Finance / Operational Control

Location: The vacant position is in Palamaner -Andhra Pradesh.

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