Business Controller - Performance Materials, India

About The Role 

• Lead PM Controlling team in India by steering, providing guidance and inspiring the team to be valued business partners for stakeholders in India. 
• Be responsible for overall controlling, reporting, business analysis activities and ensuring compliance in India. Represent PM interest in discussion with other functions and units in the countries
• Be responsible for overall PM site controlling and reporting activities in Thane, Dahej and Panoli. Ensuring site operates with clear visibility of its cost structures and strategies.
• Drive digitalization initiatives to promote AI usage within Controlling and reduce manual task to increase efficiency of the team

How You Will Do It 

Planning & Performance Management

• Ensure timely submission of monthly analysis and business commentary to A-PMA Controlling share point (e.g. CM1 margin and Fixed Cost comment, manufacturing cost analysis and commentary, capital expenditure report, raw material cost development report).
• Conduct business analysis; provide self-explanatory comments in business reports, clearly explaining the reasons for deviations.
• Ensure accurate data in the systems (esp. Business Warehouses and SAP) and proactively follow up with GB in case of discrepancies, ensure that regional controlling and LBMs are informed. 
• Lead the annual Operational planning exercise in India
• Involve strongly in BASF India Limited public listed activities, ensure cost transparency and balance need of the business plus local requirements
• Manage project controlling (e.g. capacity expansion project)
• Fulfil ad hoc requests, questions, reports and analysis from RBU and OD.

Business Analysis

• Conduct CM1 / profitability analysis at Sub-region, product and customer. Provide comments on profitability development. 
• Continuously monitor fixed and variable cost development. Alert regional controlling team and Business Head in case or current or upcoming deviations. Actively suggest improvement measures / cost saving potentials (e.g. proactive follow up on allocated cost development and accurate allocation keys) and highlight risk.
• Conduct production cost analysis. Highlight potential for improvement/cost saving. Monitor deviations between standard vs. actual cost data and update standard cost data when necessary.
• Involve actively in credit management and close work relationship with local credit manager, e.g. highlight overdue for follow up
• Monitor the inventory development and ensure accurate data; highlight issues to plant management and define corrective measures. 
• Involve in regional projects as required e.g support investment evaluation, special analysis, studies etc.
• Use digital tools and AI for analysis, promote usage of self-service reports within the organization

Governance & Compliance

• Coordinate both internal and external audits (e.g. CEQ, Project audit A/W, operation audit, FRC audit, statutory audit, FX, Tax, Customs, Supplier auditor, including follow up case)
• Advise Site colleagues on compliance matters
• Review of sales & cost reports to detect any human errors. Introduce controls to ensure that all provisions, reversals, rebate, intercompany charges and other accounting adjustments are recorded timely to avoid unexpected surprises.
• Review and timely update cost allocations drivers related to Performance Materials business.
• Ensure accurate product costing based on standards of BASF group guidelines. 
• Coordinate with country controller to ensure Signed contract are uploaded into contract management tool

Teamwork and Interface Management

• Represent teamwork with other related teams; i.e. GBS team, SCM team, site management team and sales team.
• Lead country controlling team in India on assignments to ensure alignment among local, regional and global stakeholders to fulfil business objective.
• Identify, trigger and monitor the realization of cost saving potentials and cross BU synergies through process re-engineering in the BU / benchmarking efforts in line with regional policies and procedures.
• Conduct BU self-audits within the requirements of local Laws. In addition conduct Self-audit upon request or own judgment to ensure strict compliance for all business related processes.
   

What We Look For 

• Education: Chartered Accountant
• Working Experience: 10-15 years in Controlling/Finance/ Business Analysis
• Technical & Professional Knowledge: Proficient knowledge of Cost Accounting, BASF Reporting & Controlling tools., MARIS, BW, SAP

Work Location

• Godrej One - Mumbai