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.

Role & responsibilities :

1.Finance & Accounting

- Own day-to-day finance and accounting operations.
- Drive timely monthly book closure and ensure accuracy of accounting records.
- Prepare monthly P&L;, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and management MIS.
- Ensure accurate accounting of revenue, expenses, inventory, receivables and payables.
- Improve accounting processes and finance systems.
- Coordinate with auditors, tax advisors and external stakeholders.

2. MIS & Business Reporting

- Own the monthly MIS and management reporting process.
- Prepare variance analysis against budgets, forecasts and prior periods.
- Develop business dashboards and management KPIs.
- Provide insights on revenue, gross margins, contribution margins, operating costs and profitability.
- Partner with the CFO and Founder on financial and business analysis.
- Develop reporting to enable faster and informed business decisions.

3. Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

- Own weekly and monthly cash flow forecasting.
- Maintain rolling cash flow forecasts and proactively identify funding requirements and cash gaps.
- Monitor collections, vendor payments, inventory and overall working capital.
- Drive improvements in the cash conversion cycle.
- Support cash management, banking and treasury activities.
- Partner with the Founder and CFO on working capital strategy and funding requirements.

4. Accounts Receivable & Payable

- Own the AR and AP function.




- Monitor customer collections and outstanding receivables.
- Reconcile customer accounts and resolve deductions, claims and disputes.
- Ensure timely and accurate vendor payments.
- Establish effective credit, collection and payment processes.
- Track ageing and working capital metrics and proactively escalate issues.

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.
- Partner with sales and operations teams to improve channel profitability.
- Establish robust marketplace reconciliation and settlement tracking processes.
- Prior experience with quick-commerce or marketplace platforms will be an advantage.

6. Inventory & Cost Management

- Own inventory accounting and stock reconciliation.
- Monitor inventory levels, ageing, stock movement and 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 on 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 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 supports the companys transition from an entrepreneurial setup to a larger, professionally managed organisation

Qualification

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

Experience

- 46 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

- Strong accounting and financial reporting knowledge.
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
- Experience with Zoho Books, Tally or similar ERP/accounting systems.
- Strong understanding of GST, TDS and statutory compliance.
- Experience in MIS preparation, budgeting and financial analysis.
- Robust understanding of inventory and cost accounting.
- Ability to build and maintain cash flow forecasts.

Preferred candidate profile

📌 Finance Controller/Manager (Bengaluru)
🏢 TAAS Partners
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