Finance Controller

Role Overview

We are looking for a Head of Finance / Finance Controller to take ownership of the finance function at Habanero Foods.

This is a high-ownership role for someone who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and can independently manage the core finance function while partnering closely with the founder and the CFO.

The role will cover accounting, financial reporting, MIS, AR/AP, inventory, cash flow forecasting, cash management, compliance, controls and commercial finance.

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to build and lead a finance team as the business scales.

Key Responsibilities

1. Finance & Accounting

• Own the day-to-day finance and accounting function.
• Drive timely monthly book closure and ensure accuracy of accounting records.
• Prepare monthly P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and management MIS.
• Ensure appropriate accounting for revenue, expenses, inventory, receivables and payables.
• Manage and improve accounting processes and finance systems.
• Coordinate with auditors, tax advisors and other external stakeholders.

2. MIS & Business Reporting

• Own the monthly MIS and management reporting process.
• Prepare detailed variance analysis against budgets, forecasts and prior periods.
• Develop business dashboards and KPIs for management.
• Provide insights on revenue, gross margins, contribution margins, operating costs and profitability.
• Work closely with the CFO and founder on financial and business analysis.
• Develop reporting that enables management to make faster and better decisions.

3. Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Own weekly and monthly cash flow forecasting.
• Maintain a rolling cash flow forecast and proactively identify funding requirements and cash gaps.
• Monitor collections, vendor payments, inventory and overall working capital.
• Drive improvement in the cash conversion cycle.
• Support cash management, banking and treasury activities.
• Work with the founder and the CFO on working capital strategy and funding requirements.

4. Accounts Receivable & Payable

• Own the AR and AP function.
• Monitor customer collections and outstanding receivables.
• Manage reconciliation of customer accounts and resolve deductions, claims and disputes.
• Ensure timely and accurate vendor payments.
• Establish appropriate credit, collection and payment processes.
• Track ageing and working capital metrics and escalate issues proactively.

5. Quick Commerce & Marketplace Finance

• Own financial reconciliations across Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart, Amazon, Flipkart and other platforms.
• Reconcile platform sales, settlements, commissions, discounts, claims, deductions, marketing spends and other charges.
• Identify and recover incorrect deductions, claims and short payments.
• Track platform-wise revenue, gross margin and contribution margin.
• Work closely with sales and operations teams to improve channel profitability.
• Develop robust processes for marketplace reconciliation and settlement tracking.

Prior experience with quick-commerce or marketplace platforms will be a significant advantage.

6. Inventory & Cost Management

• Own inventory accounting and stock reconciliation.
• Monitor inventory levels, ageing, stock movement and inventory holding periods.
• Analyse product-level gross margins and manufacturing costs.
• Track wastage, expiry, write-offs and inventory variances.
• Support costing and financial evaluation of new product launches.
• Partner with operations and supply chain teams to identify cost optimisation opportunities.

7. Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Support annual budgeting and business planning.
• Prepare rolling forecasts and periodic reforecasts.
• Build financial models for new products, channels and growth initiatives.
• Analyse profitability across products, channels and customers.
• Support decisions around pricing, promotions, marketing spends and channel expansion.

8. Compliance & Financial Controls

• Ensure timely compliance with GST, TDS, Income Tax and other applicable statutory requirements.
• Coordinate statutory and tax audits.
• Strengthen internal financial controls and SOPs.
• Establish appropriate controls across procurement, inventory, sales, collections and payments.
• Drive automation and digitisation of finance processes.

9. Team Building & Finance Function Development

• Build and develop the finance team as the business scales.
• Define roles, responsibilities and processes within the finance function.
• Mentor and develop finance team members.
• Establish scalable finance processes and controls.
• Build a finance function that can support the company's growth from an entrepreneurial setup to a larger, professionally managed organisation.

Desired Candidate Profile

Qualification

• CA preferred
• CMA / MBA (Finance) with strong relevant experience may also be considered.
• Strong accounting and finance fundamentals are essential.

Experience

• 4–6 years of relevant experience in Finance & Accounts / Financial Controllership.
• Experience in D2C, FMCG, Food & Beverage, e-commerce, consumer brands or quick commerce strongly preferred.
• Experience managing a finance function independently will be an advantage.
• Experience with Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart, Amazon, Flipkart or similar marketplace platforms is highly desirable.
• Strong experience in AR/AP, inventory accounting, working capital and cash flow management.
• Experience in a high-growth entrepreneurial environment preferred.

Technical Skills