SAR Platform Lead Controller

Lonza; Hyderabad; Hybrid; INR 5,000,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Lonza in Hyderabad seeks an Associate Director of Finance & Controlling to lead cost governance, planning, and analytics across global business platforms. You will partner with senior leaders, drive digitalization, and mentor a team of cost controllers to achieve financial excellence.

You will shape long-term financial strategy, improve cost visibility, and support sustainable growth through data-driven decisions and robust controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• Professional qualifications such as CMA, CPA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent are advantageous.
• 10-12 years of progressive experience in cost controlling, FP&A, finance business partnering, cost accounting or related leadership roles.
• Deep expertise in cost-controlling methodologies, overhead management, cost transparency frameworks, financial governance, and management reporting.
• Strong experience leading budgeting, forecasting, target-setting, and long-term planning processes across business functions.
• Demonstrated success partnering with senior global stakeholders and influencing strategic decisions through financial insights.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams in a matrixed environment.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities; proficient in Excel and SAP.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary finance partner to Business Platform Leadership on cost-controlling, SAR, and governance matters.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of cost controllers to foster accountability and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to drive financial transparency and cost discipline.
• Challenge assumptions and provide actionable recommendations to improve cost efficiency and performance.
• Partner with SAR Head and Finance leadership to execute strategic initiatives and drive organizational change.
• Own and lead end-to-end SAR process across Business Platforms with governance and quality.
• Establish standardized methodologies, controls, and reporting frameworks across platforms.
• Translate SAR outcomes into management insights highlighting cost drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Analyze overhead spending, FTE movements, project investments and service costs to support decisions.
• Ensure data integrity, policy compliance and adherence to group accounting standards.

Skills

Financial planning

Cost controlling

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Data analytics

Excel

Financial systems

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Finance/Accounting

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Financial modeling

Job description

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there's no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world.

We are looking for an Associate Director, Finance & Controlling (INB and ADS) to drive excellence in cost controlling, financial governance, and strategic planning across Lonza's Business Platforms. This role serves as a trusted finance partner to Platform Leadership, ensuring transparency, consistency, and accountability in cost management while enabling data-driven decision-making. Leading a team of cost controllers, the position will champion digital transformation, process optimization, and advanced analytics to enhance financial performance and operational efficiency. Working closely with senior stakeholders across Finance and the business, the role will play a key part in shaping long-term financial strategy, improving cost visibility, and supporting sustainable growth.

What You'll Get

• A finance leadership role with global exposure across Lonza's Business Platforms and strategic finance organization
• The opportunity to influence key business decisions through cost transparency, financial governance, and strategic planning
• Direct partnership with senior leadership on cost optimization, investment prioritization, and business performance initiatives
• Exposure to digital transformation, automation, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled finance processes
• The opportunity to lead and develop high-performing finance professionals within a global organization
• A dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement, operational excellence, and innovation
• Competitive compensation and benefits aligned with role and experience
• Ongoing professional development through global projects, leadership exposure, and career growth opportunities

What You'll Do

Leadership & Business Partnership

• Act as the primary finance partner to Business Platform Leadership on all cost-controlling, SAR, and financial governance matters
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of cost controllers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to drive financial transparency, cost discipline, and informed decision-making
• Challenge assumptions, evaluate opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations to improve cost efficiency and business performance
• Partner with the SAR Head and broader Finance leadership to execute strategic initiatives and drive effective organizational change
• Own and lead the end-to-end SAR process across the Business Platforms, ensuring consistency, quality, and governance
• Establish and maintain standardized methodologies, controls, and reporting frameworks that drive comparability and transparency across platforms
• Translate SAR outcomes into meaningful management insights, highlighting key cost drivers, risks, opportunities, and trends
• Analyze overhead spending, FTE movements, project investments, and service-related costs to support proactive decision-making
• Ensure financial data integrity, policy compliance, and adherence to Group accounting and controlling standards

Outlooks, Targets & Long-Term Planning

• Lead the preparation of financial Outlooks, annual target-setting processes, and BSR long-range planning across the Business Platforms
• Create strong alignment between actual results, SAR outputs, forecasts, and long-term plans through robust financial planning processes
• Partner closely with FP&A and Platform Leadership to challenge assumptions, assess scenarios, and support strategic decision-making
• Develop and maintain sophisticated financial models to support headcount planning, cost evolution analyses, productivity programs, and strategic investments
• Provide transparency on planning assumptions, financial variances, and business risks while recommending corrective actions where necessary

Process Optimization, Digitalization & Innovation

• Drive simplification, standardization, and automation across cost-controlling and reporting processes
• Strengthen controlling governance through enhanced policies, cost-center structures, reporting frameworks, and process controls
• Lead the adoption of digital finance tools, automated reporting solutions, and advanced analytics capabilities
• Foster a data-driven culture by improving data quality, reducing manual activities, and increasing operational efficiency
• Leverage AI and emerging technologies to enhance business insights, forecasting accuracy, and finance process effectiveness

Strategic Contribution

• Deliver ad-hoc analysis and executive-level insights on cost structures, overhead management, project spending, and financial performance
• Support transformation initiatives, cost optimization programs, and strategic business projects across the organization
• Identify emerging financial risks and opportunities while recommending actions that strengthen operational and financial performance

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline
• Professional qualifications such as CMA, CPA, ACA, ACCA, or equivalent certifications are advantageous
• 10-12 years of progressive experience in cost controlling, FP&A, finance business partnering, cost accounting, or related finance leadership roles within a complex global organization
• Deep expertise in cost-controlling methodologies, overhead management, cost transparency frameworks, financial governance, and management reporting
• Strong experience leading budgeting, forecasting, target-setting, and long-term planning processes across business functions
• Demonstrated success partnering with senior global stakeholders and influencing strategic business decisions through financial insights
• Proven leadership experience managing, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams in a matrixed environment
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a track record of translating complex financial data into actionable recommendations
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, financial modeling, and financial systems, including SAP and reporting or analytics platforms
• Experience driving digital transformation, automation initiatives, and continuous process improvement within finance organizations
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational execution
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
• Highly resilient, adaptable, detail-oriented, and committed to accuracy, governance, and continuous improvement
• Business-fluent English required; additional language capabilities are an advantage

Work Model

This is an office-first role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and team alignment, enabling us to deliver our best work. You will work primarily in the office, with the flexibility to work remotely for up to 20% of your time (one day per week).

What We Offer

• An agile career and dynamic working culture
• An inclusive and ethical workplace
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance
• A variety of benefits dependent on role and location
• Opportunities to contribute to finance transformation and cost excellence in a leading life sciences organization
• Global exposure and collaboration across multiple Business Platforms and finance functions

The full list of our global benefits can be found here: Lonza Benefits .

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With more than 30 sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion, and Integrity guide how we work and succeed together.

Everyone's ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives. Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. Lonza is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact.

You will feel at home at Lonza if you:

• Take ownership, step forward, and enjoy meaningful responsibility
• Love solving problems and thrive in a complex, fast-moving environment
• Are curious, always looking to learn and improve
• Work collaboratively, contributing to something bigger than yourself
• Are motivated to make a difference through work that impacts customers and their patients

Why Lonza:

We are a place of unique opportunity, where your ideas, expertise and ambition can make a real difference. Here, will have the freedom to grow, the support to succeed and the chance to contribute to work that matters.

We are the makers of the medicines of tomorrow.