Chief Financial Officer

THE ROLE

Lead and support the Finance and Accounts function, with a strong focus on Billing, Payables, Compliance, and Accounts Finalization. This role will be instrumental in ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant Financial Reporting aligned with Statutory and Internal Standards. The position will specifically oversee operations for the Central Process and South Region Offices (including Bangalore & Chennai), ensuring consistency in Financial Practices, Process Efficiency, and adherence to Organizational Policies across regions. The incumbent is expected to demonstrate sound technical acumen, attention to detail, and the ability to operate in a dynamic, high-performance environment.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent will primarily be in charge of:

1. Cashflow, Liquidity & Liability Management

Drive daily/ weekly cashflow visibility and discipline in payments and statutory outflows.

Build and manage a 13-week rolling cashflow for sharp decision-making.

Lead negotiations for vendor settlements and structured payouts to reduce legacy liabilities.

Support equity infusion, debt restructuring, and new credit arrangements with lenders/ investors.

Strengthen working capital through improved inventory turns and tighter Opex control.

2. Financial Control & Governance

Implement strong internal controls and governance frameworks aligned with listed-company standards.

Rebuild core processes: procure-to-pay, order-to-cash, inventory accounting, promotions, and reconciliations.

Ensure audit preparedness and compliance with statutory and regulatory norms.

Drive corrective actions from internal audit and risk assessments.

3. Business Planning & FP&A

Own annual operating plan (AOP), forecasts, and scenario planning.

Deliver P&L visibility across stores, channels, and categories with clear levers for margin improvement.

Partner with merchandising, supply chain, and retail teams to enforce financial discipline on pricing, promotions, and inventory.

Evaluate financial viability of new store formats, relocations, warehouses, and omnichannel initiatives.

4. Retail Commercials & Vendor Partnerships

Set fresh SOPs for vendor and partner commercials to ensure profitability and transparency.

Drive negotiations for better terms and cost efficiencies across the supply chain.

5. Legal, Compliance & Company Secretary Oversight

Oversee board processes, statutory filings, and governance norms for a listed entity.

Manage legal risks across vendor disputes, consumer litigations, lease matters, and regulatory compliance.

Ensure robust contract management and compliance discipline suited for a public company.

6. Investor Confidence & Transformation Leadership

Provide timely, accurate reporting and insights to the board and investors.

Enable systems upgrades for real-time financial visibility.

Support strategic initiatives including GM expansion, fixed cost control, and category revamp.

7. M&A & Strategic Growth

Evaluate inorganic growth opportunities and lead due diligence for potential acquisitions.

Support strategic partnerships and alliances to accelerate growth.

8. Team Leadership

Build a high-performing finance, legal, and compliance team with strong analytical and controllership capabilities.

Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, and process-driven execution.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

EDUCATION AND PRIOR EXPERIENCE

• 10-18 years of experience in retail, consumer, or distribution sectors; prior experience as CFO of a listed SME or Deputy CFO in a large retail organization.
• Education: Chartered Accountant (CA) and/or MBA Finance from a reputed Tier-1 institution.
• Strong exposure to cashflow management, turnarounds, PE/Investor-backed transformations, or listed-entity governance.
• Expertise in controllership, FP&A, working capital optimization, vendor negotiations, equity/debt fund-raising, and M&A exposure.
• High integrity, resilience, negotiation strength, and ability to operate under pressure with incomplete data.

SUCCESS METRICS

• Cashflow stability and reduction of legacy liabilities.
• Audit quality and governance compliance fit for a listed entity.
• Working-capital improvements and inventory accuracy.
• Store-level EBITDA profitability and margin enhancement.
• Investor confidence through transparent reporting and disciplined execution.
• Strength and reliability of finance, legal, and CS processes.