Head of Finance India

Job Description The Head of Finance India holds the top financial leadership role in Smiths Detection's fast-growing India market. This critical position is a member of the India Leadership Team (ILT), providing financial oversight, strategic insight, and operational support across commercial, manufacturing, and service domains. Reporting to the Finance Director, Global Financial Services, and closely partnering with the India Market Head, the incumbent will be a trusted advisor in shaping strategy, ensuring compliance, improving performance, and driving growth across the region. Key Areas of Responsibility 1. Financial Leadership India 2. Commercial Business Partnering 3. Finance Shared Services Oversight 4. Operational Expansion Support (Bangalore) 5. Finance Stewardship and Team Development 6. Accounting & Financial Operations 7. Compliance & Continuous Improvement 8. Cross-functional & Global Engagement Detailed Responsibilities 1. Financial Leadership - Full financial responsibility for India market: financial reporting, analysis, planning, and controls. - Communicate and present financial results, forecasts, and plans to senior leadership. - Lead financial reporting on order intake, revenue, profitability, and cash flow. - Ensure alignment with company policies, IFRS, and local GAAP. 2. Commercial Business Partner - Act as Deputy to the India Market Head when needed. - Provide financial input on all commercial decisions tenders, bids, and service contracts. - Conduct monthly Commercial / Market Reviews and present financial assessments to the Divisional Senior Leadership Team (SLT). - Lead development and review of business cases and post-investment appraisals. - Provide strategic and operational advice on pricing, working capital, customer credit, and commercial risk. 3. Finance Shared Services (SSC) Oversight - Oversight of India's SSC (Accounts Payable currently), with a goal to expand its capabilities. - Drive service improvement, customer satisfaction, and process efficiencies. - Enhance team structure and capabilities to ensure delivery excellence and professional growth. 4. Operational Expansion in Bangalore - Serve as finance business partner for new manufacturing/operations set-up in Bangalore. - Develop local controls, accounting processes, and operational financial oversight. - Support recruitment of key operational finance roles, e.g., Operations Accountant. - Collaborate with Global Operations Finance Director to ensure alignment and reporting accuracy. 5. Finance Stewardship & Team Management - Lead the India Finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, ownership, and continuous improvement. - Deliver strong internal control environment, drive performance improvement, and ensure financial integrity. - Support talent development through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning. - Ensure financial priorities (e.g., working capital, margin improvement, cost savings) are embedded in decision-making. 6. Accounting & Financial Operations - Oversee statutory and management reporting across multiple Indian locations (Delhi, Gurgaon, Pune, Bangalore). - Ensure timely and accurate financial close (monthly, interim, annual). - Lead planning, forecasting, and budgeting cycles in alignment with Market Head and business units. - Manage reporting tools (Onyx, Oracle, HFM) and drive data accuracy and timeliness. - Provide oversight on treasury matters, IFRS, India GAAP compliance, tax, and ad hoc financial reporting. 7. Compliance & Continuous Improvement - Ensure compliance with local statutory and tax regulations (direct and indirect). - Collaborate with Legal, HR, and Compliance on risk, audit, ethics, and regulatory matters. - Drive continuous improvement in processes, systems, and reporting. - Implement and modernize controls in line with the global control framework. 8. Global & Cross-functional Engagement - Primary liaison for external and internal audits in India. - Collaborate with global tax and treasury functions on guarantees, hedging, cash pooling, VAT, and RCT compliance. - Ensure compliance with Smiths Group policies including Delegation of Authority, Capex, Expenses, etc. - Engage actively in India Leadership Team initiatives and contribute to broader employee engagement. Qualifications & Experience Required - Chartered Accountant (CA) with a minimum of 10 years managerial experience. - Minimum 3 years in a senior finance role with full P&L responsibility. - Strong expertise in IFRS, India GAAP, taxation, and revenue recognition. - Deep understanding of financial and accounting operations in manufacturing and long-term project environments. - Proven ability to drive strategic planning, commercial insight, and business partnering. Preferred - Experience with a Big 4 accounting firm. - ERP experience (e.g., SAP) and consolidation systems (e.g., Oracle, HFM). - Exposure to international and matrix organizations. Technical Skills - Strong command of Excel, Word, Outlook. - Knowledge of local and international tax laws, audit processes, and statutory requirements. - Expertise in financial modeling, cost accounting, and pricing. - Practical experience with treasury instruments, foreign exchange, and guarantees. Key Attributes - Methodical, highly organized, and detail-oriented. - Strong leadership and team development capabilities. - Strategic thinker with commercial acumen and problem-solving skills. - Influential communicator with ability to engage stakeholders at all levels. - Change agent mindset, with a continuous improvement orientation. - Resilient under pressure with a hands-on, proactive approach. Planning & Decision-Making - Accountable for all financial and accounting decisions within India in accordance with Delegation of Authority (DoA). - Authorised to approve budgets, contracts, and commercial decisions. - Capable of deputising for the Head of Market and exercising decision-making authority as needed. - Design and lead budgeting, resource allocation, and financial risk mitigation strategies. Impact & Scope - High-impact role managing financial performance in a complex and evolving market. - Drives strategic decisions with commercial, operational, and compliance implications. - Responsible for identifying financial risks, ensuring proper revenue recognition, and safeguarding assets. - Errors could materially affect revenue, margin, cash flow, or contractual exposure. Summary This is a critical leadership role at the intersection of finance, strategy, operations, and governance. The Head of Finance India will play a key role in enabling Smiths Detection's commercial and operational success in India, while also ensuring financial discipline, regulatory compliance, and team excellence.