Chief Controls Officer (CCO)

Location: Pune, India (Onsite)
Industry: Agriculture – Growing fresh, high-quality produce sustainably through smart farming
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

About the Opportunity

Our client is a pioneering agribusiness committed to transforming the way fresh produce is grown and delivered through sustainable, technology-driven farming. At this critical stage of growth, they are seeking a seasoned Chief Controls Officer (CCO) to establish and elevate the organization’s internal control and risk management framework. You will partner closely with the CFO, Board, and senior leadership to design and oversee comprehensive financial and operational controls. This role is central to safeguarding assets, ensuring compliance, and enabling scale with confidence. It offers a unique opportunity to influence strategic decision-making while embedding a culture of integrity, accountability, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Controls: Establish and monitor robust internal financial controls to ensure accurate, transparent, and reliable reporting.
• Reporting: Deliver clear, comprehensive reports and recommendations on internal controls, risk, and compliance to senior leadership.
• Internal Control Framework: Develop, implement, and continuously enhance internal control systems aligned with business objectives and regulatory standards.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, financial, and compliance risks through regular reviews and effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Audit Management: Lead internal and external audits, respond to audit inquiries, and drive corrective actions to address deficiencies.
• Compliance & Oversight: Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies and stay updated on regulatory changes and adapt controls accordingly.
• Process Improvement: Streamline processes and implement best practices to strengthen controls and improve efficiency.
• Data Integrity: Safeguard the integrity and security of financial and operational data through sound data management practices.
• Leadership: Mentor and lead a team of internal control professionals, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate control objectives and initiatives across the organization, providing expert guidance on financial controls.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in internal controls, audit, risk management, or related fields
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline required.
• MBA (Finance) or Chartered Accountant (CA) preferred.