Finance Controller, South East Asia

Clarios; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarios is seeking a SEA Finance Controller to lead financial performance, governance, and decision support for Southeast Asia operations. You will partner with plant and commercial leadership to improve visibility on cost, profitability, and operational performance, enabling faster and better decisions.

The role combines controllership excellence with strong commercial partnership, driving forecasting, budgeting, and performance management across multiple countries and plants.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in financial planning, analysis, and reporting.
• Solid experience managing P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow.
• Experience in manufacturing and/or distribution environments preferred.
• MNC experience with exposure to multi-country operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end and year-end close processes with accuracy and discipline.
• Deliver timely, high-quality management reporting and variance analysis.
• Partner with commercial and business teams to drive revenue and margin growth.
• Provide insights on pricing, volume, and profitability levers.
• Collaborate across operations, supply chain, and commercial teams.

Skills

Financial planning

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collab

Commercial finance

Education

Bachelor degree in Finance/Accounting

Tools

QAD

OneStream

Job description

Role Overview
The SEA Finance Controller is a key finance leader within Clarios Asia, responsible for driving financial performance, governance, and decision support across Southeast Asia operations.
This role combines controllership excellence with strong commercial partnership, ensuring financial integrity while actively shaping business outcomes through insights, forecasting, and performance management.
You will act as a trusted advisor to plant and commercial leadership, improving visibility on cost, profitability, and operational performance to enable better and faster decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Control, Governance & Reporting Excellence

• Lead month-end and year-end close processes with accuracy and discipline
• Ensure integrity of financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow)
• Deliver timely, high-quality management reporting and variance analysis
• Identify performance drivers, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Maintain robust internal control environment (SOX, DOA, policies)
• Ensure compliance with internal and external financial regulations

Performance Management & Planning

• Drive forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning processes
• Track financial performance against targets and lead gap-closing actions
• Enhance cost visibility and operational transparency across plants

Commercial Finance Partnership

• Partner with commercial and business teams to drive revenue and margin growth
• Provide insights on pricing, volume, and profitability levers
• Support strategic decisions with data-driven financial analysis
• Strengthen commercial governance and ensure disciplined decision-making

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate across operations, supply chain, and commercial teams
• Influence stakeholders across business units and functions
• Contribute to continuous improvement and finance transformation initiatives

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent
• 8+ years of experience in financial planning, analysis, and reporting
• Solid experience managing P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow
• Experience in manufacturing and/or distribution environments preferred
• MNC experience with exposure to multi-country operations
• Strong business partnering and stakeholder management capabilities
• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Familiarity with ERP and consolidation systems (e.g., QAD, OneStream) is an advantage

Working Conditions

• Located in Kuala Lumpur
• Business travel to other locations is occasionally required (<10%>)

Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. We power progress through ever-smarter solutions for virtually every kind of vehicle. With 16,000 employees in over 140 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous ESG focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. Learn more about us at www.clarios.com.

Clarios is the creator behind VARTA vehicle batteries, which are designed to deliver the optimal level of power and longevity for every kind of vehicle. Whether you need batteries for your heavy-duty commercial vehicle, your highly equipped car with Start-Stop, or any kind of electric vehicle – VARTA always offers the right technology for every energy demand.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is key to challenging the status quo. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity in our teams in terms of work experience, area of expertise, gender, ethnicity, and all other characteristics protected by laws in the countries where we operate. For more information on our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and equal opportunity, please read our latest report.