Inventory Control & Supply Chain Finance

Role Overview / Purpose
To partner with Supply Chain, Procurement, Planning, Manufacturing, and Finance teams to drive inventory governance, working capital optimization, and annual product cost budget consolidation across India operations. The role will be responsible for inventory analytics, SLOB reduction, inventory controls, vendor return governance, and timely release of budgeted product costs to global markets. The position will play a critical role in strengthening inventory health, improving financial visibility, supporting audits, and enabling data-driven decision making.
Key Responsibilities
Drive inventory governance and working capital improvement by monitoring inventory health, reducing blocked stock, minimizing inventory ageing, and improving inventory turns across manufacturing sites.
Own SLOB management through monthly analysis of slow-moving and near-expiry inventory; identify risks, drive corrective actions, and monitor reduction initiatives in partnership with Supply Chain and plant teams.
Partner with Procurement and Operations teams to improve inventory efficiency through timely return of rejected materials, optimization of stock holdings, and prevention of inventory build-up.
Ensure accuracy and integrity of inventory reporting through monthly reconciliations, inventory validation, quarter/year-end closure activities, and alignment with financial records and general ledger balances. Aligning with supply chain for inventory triangulation for working the budgeted cash flow.
Develop and publish inventory dashboards, MIS, and management reports covering inventory trends, ageing analysis, quality stock, blocked stock, provisions, and key working capital metrics.
Govern inventory provisioning, destruction approvals, and FG exhibit batch inventory tracking to ensure compliance, visibility, and effective inventory utilization.
Support internal and external audits through preparation of inventory provisions, reconciliations, schedules, and management reports while ensuring adherence to governance requirements.
Lead annual product cost budget consolidation across plants, products, molecules, dosage forms, and business units which form integral part of ops P&L & further release the product cost to business units.
Validate product cost assumptions, reconcile budget submissions, and ensure consistency, accuracy, and completeness of product cost data prior to market release.
Provide insights on product cost movements, manufacturing overheads, inventory performance, and key business risks through management reviews and executive summaries
Drive process simplification, reporting automation, and digital initiatives including SAP/HANA enhancements to improve efficiency, controls, and decision.
Drive working capital improvement initiatives through analytics on creditor days, payment terms, inventory holding, and procurement planning efficiency.
Review POs issued or under approval against budgets, forecasts, and sourcing plans, and raise early alerts for cost deviations or approval exceptions, along with checking inventory levels post issuance of such POs
Key Skills Required
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable business insights.
Good understanding of inventory accounting, inventory controls, working capital management, and product cost planning processes.
Experience in inventory analytics, SLOB management, annual budgeting, financial analysis, and management reporting.
Strong business partnering and stakeholder management skills across Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, Operations, and Finance.
Ability to synthesize complex information and present concise recommendations to leadership teams.
Proficiency in SAP, MS Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools such as Power BI or similar platforms.
Strong ownership, execution focus, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across geographies and cross-functional teams.
Educational Qualifications
CA / ICWA with 2–3 years of relevant experience in procurement finance, costing, supply chain finance, or business finance, preferably in the pharmaceutical sector.
Freshly qualified CAs with relevant articleship/industrial training experience may also be considered.

Work arrangement
No