Assistant Business Finance Manager

**ZEISS in India** ZEISS in India is headquartered in Bengaluru and present in the fields of Industrial Quality Solutions, Research Microscopy Solutions, Medical Technology, Vision Care and Sports & Cine Optics. ZEISS India has 3 production facilities, R&D center, Global IT services and about 40 Sales & Service offices in almost all Tier I and Tier II cities in India. With 2200+ employees and continued investments over 25 years in India, ZEISS’ success story in India is continuing at a rapid pace.  Further information at [ZEISS India](https://www.zeiss.co.in/corporate/home.html). **Job Description – Assistant Manager, Plant Operations Finance** **Location:** Devanahalli, Bengaluru (Bluebird Plant) **Function:** F&O **Reports To:** Head – Plant & Manufacturing Finance A. Role Purpose --------------- The Assistant Manager – Plant Operations Finance will support financial governance, cost control, accounting, and operational finance activities for Bluebird Plant operations. The role will primarily focus on: * Operating expense (OPEX) management * Factory administration and facilities cost management * Scrap accounting * Cost allocation * Budgeting and forecasting * Finance compliance and governance The position will work closely with Plant Operations, Admin & Facilities, Procurement, Supply Chain, Controllership, FP&A, and Business Finance teams to ensure: * Cost transparency * Financial discipline * Robust controls * Accurate reporting * Continuous cost optimization across the plant The role will also support commercial coordination related to agreements, vendor cost management, and cost-saving initiatives across common plant services and infrastructure. B. Key Responsibilities ----------------------- ### 1\. Operating Expense (OPEX) Management * Monitor and control plant operating expenses against approved budgets and forecasts. * Perform monthly variance analysis and highlight key cost deviations with actionable insights. * Support preparation of annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and periodic outlooks. * Ensure accurate accounting, accruals, provisions, and expense booking. * Track and monitor open commitments and service PO utilization. ### 2\. Factory Administration & Facilities Cost Management * Manage and monitor costs related to: * Security * Employee transportation * Housekeeping * Utilities (Power, Water, DG, Gas, etc.) * Cafeteria * Facility management services * Analyze utility consumption trends and support efficiency improvement initiatives. * Partner with Admin, EHS, Facility, and Procurement teams for effective cost control. * Drive identification and implementation of cost optimization opportunities. ### 3\. Scrap Accounting & Control * Monitor scrap generation, accounting, valuation, and disposal processes. * Ensure proper documentation, approvals, and compliance for scrap disposal transactions. * Coordinate with Production, Stores, and SCM teams for accurate scrap tracking and reporting. * Support scrap reconciliation between physical movement and financial records. * Analyze scrap trends and support reduction initiatives. ### 4\. Cost Allocation & Cross-Charge Management * Manage allocation and cross-charging of common plant costs across business units/functions such as: * Vision-Mass * Vision-RX * IQS * RMS * Meditech * Other divisions operating from Bluebird Plant * Ensure allocation methodologies are transparent, accurate, and properly documented. * Coordinate with Business Finance teams for allocation validation and closure. * Prepare allocation workings, cross-charge calculations, and supporting MIS. ### 5\. Agreements & Commercial Coordination * Liaise with Procurement, Admin, Legal, and vendors for commercial agreements and renewals. * Track contract validity, commercial terms, escalation clauses, and financial implications. * Support commercial evaluations and benchmarking for facility and admin-related services. * Ensure proper documentation and timely closure of agreements. ### 6\. Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting * Support preparation of plant budgets and rolling forecasts. * Prepare monthly MIS, dashboards, and management reports related to plant operating costs. * Analyze fixed vs. variable costs, vendor cost trends, and utilities consumption. * Provide financial insights to support operational decision-making. ### 7\. Compliance & Controls * Act as a finance partner for factory-related statutory and regulatory compliance matters. * Coordinate and support compliance requirements related to EOU/SEZ regulations, documentation, and reporting from a finance perspective. * Partner with HR and other stakeholders to support compliance monitoring related to PF, ESI, NAPS, NATS, and other employee-related statutory obligations. * Ensure compliance with: * Internal financial controls * Accounting policies * Delegation of authority * Approval processes * Support internal, statutory, and process audits related to plant operations, facility expenses, and compliance matters. * Ensure proper documentation and audit readiness for expenses, agreements, allocations, and statutory records. * Monitor adherence to company policies related to procurement, expenses, vendor payments, and commercial governance. ### 8\. Cost Saving & Continuous Improvement * Identify and track cost-saving initiatives across plant operations and facilities management. * Support process improvement and automation initiatives within plant finance processes. * Coordinate with cross-functional teams to improve operational and financial efficiency. * Develop trackers and dashboards to monitor savings realization. C. Desired Profile ------------------ ### Qualification * Qualified CA / CMA ### Experience * 1–4 years of relevant experience in Plant Finance, Operations Finance, Controlling, or Manufacturing Finance. * Experience in the manufacturing industry preferred. * Exposure to SAP (FI/CO/MM), MIS reporting, budgeting, or cost analysis will be an added advantage. * Experience in OPEX tracking, vendor/service cost management, facility/admin accounting, or commercial coordination preferred. ### Technical Skills * Good understanding of accounting and cost control concepts. * Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. * Hands-on exposure to SAP (FI/CO/MM preferred). * Strong Excel and MIS reporting skills. * Analytical mindset with attention to detail. ### Behavioral Skills * Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills. * Ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Admin, Procurement, SCM, and Finance teams. * High ownership and execution orientation. * Structured and problem-solving approach. * Ability to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment. * Ability to effectively coordinate with Controllership, FP&A, and Business Finance stakeholders. D. Key Outcomes of the Role --------------------------- * Improved control and visibility of plant operating expenses. * Effective management of common admin and facilities costs. * Accurate and timely cost allocation and reporting. * Strong compliance and financial governance across plant operations. * Enhanced cost efficiency through continuous monitoring and savings initiatives. * Reliable forecasting, accounting, and MIS support for plant operations. **Job Description – Assistant Manager, Plant Operations Finance** **Location:** Devanahalli, Bengaluru (Bluebird Plant) **Function:** F&O **Reports To:** Head – Plant & Manufacturing Finance A. Role Purpose --------------- The Assistant Manager – Plant Operations Finance will support financial governance, cost control, accounting, and operational finance activities for Bluebird Plant operations. The role will primarily focus on: * Operating expense (OPEX) management * Factory administration and facilities cost management * Scrap accounting * Cost allocation * Budgeting and forecasting * Finance compliance and governance The position will work closely with Plant Operations, Admin & Facilities, Procurement, Supply Chain, Controllership, FP&A, and Business Finance teams to ensure: * Cost transparency * Financial discipline * Robust controls * Accurate reporting * Continuous cost optimization across the plant The role will also support commercial coordination related to agreements, vendor cost management, and cost-saving initiatives across common plant services and infrastructure. B. Key Responsibilities ----------------------- ### 1\. Operating Expense (OPEX) Management * Monitor and control plant operating expenses against approved budgets and forecasts. * Perform monthly variance analysis and highlight key cost deviations with actionable insights. * Support preparation of annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and periodic outlooks. * Ensure accurate accounting, accruals, provisions, and expense booking. * Track and monitor open commitments and service PO utilization. ### 2\. Factory Administration & Facilities Cost Management * Manage and monitor costs related to: * Security * Employee transportation * Housekeeping * Utilities (Power, Water, DG, Gas, etc.) * Cafeteria * Facility management services * Analyze utility consumption trends and support efficiency improvement initiatives. * Partner with Admin, EHS, Facility, and Procurement teams for effective cost control. * Drive identification and implementation of cost optimization opportunities. ### 3\. Scrap Accounting & Control * Monitor scrap generation, accounting, valuation, and disposal processes. * Ensure proper documentation, approvals, and compliance for scrap disposal transactions. * Coordinate with Production, Stores, and SCM teams for accurate scrap tracking and reporting. * Support scrap reconciliation between physical movement and financial records. * Analyze scrap trends and support reduction initiatives. ### 4\. Cost Allocation & Cross-Charge Management * Manage allocation and cross-charging of common plant costs across business units/functions such as: * Vision-Mass * Vision-RX * IQS * RMS * Meditech * Other divisions operating from Bluebird Plant * Ensure allocation methodologies are transparent, accurate, and properly documented. * Coordinate with Business Finance teams for allocation validation and closure. * Prepare allocation workings, cross-charge calculations, and supporting MIS. ### 5\. Agreements & Commercial Coordination * Liaise with Procurement, Admin, Legal, and vendors for commercial agreements and renewals. * Track contract validity, commercial terms, escalation clauses, and financial implications. * Support commercial evaluations and benchmarking for facility and admin-related services. * Ensure proper documentation and timely closure of agreements. ### 6\. Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting * Support preparation of plant budgets and rolling forecasts. * Prepare monthly MIS, dashboards, and management reports related to plant operating costs. * Analyze fixed vs. variable costs, vendor cost trends, and utilities consumption. * Provide financial insights to support operational decision-making. ### 7\. Compliance & Controls * Act as a finance partner for factory-related statutory and regulatory compliance matters. * Coordinate and support compliance requirements related to EOU/SEZ regulations, documentation, and reporting from a finance perspective. * Partner with HR and other stakeholders to support compliance monitoring related to PF, ESI, NAPS, NATS, and other employee-related statutory obligations. * Ensure compliance with: * Internal financial controls * Accounting policies * Delegation of authority * Approval processes * Support internal, statutory, and process audits related to plant operations, facility expenses, and compliance matters. * Ensure proper documentation and audit readiness for expenses, agreements, allocations, and statutory records. * Monitor adherence to company policies related to procurement, expenses, vendor payments, and commercial governance. ### 8\. Cost Saving & Continuous Improvement * Identify and track cost-saving initiatives across plant operations and facilities management. * Support process improvement and automation initiatives within plant finance processes. * Coordinate with cross-functional teams to improve operational and financial efficiency. * Develop trackers and dashboards to monitor savings realization. C. Desired Profile ------------------ ### Qualification * Qualified CA / CMA ### Experience * 1–4 years of relevant experience in Plant Finance, Operations Finance, Controlling, or Manufacturing Finance. * Experience in the manufacturing industry preferred. * Exposure to SAP (FI/CO/MM), MIS reporting, budgeting, or cost analysis will be an added advantage. * Experience in OPEX tracking, vendor/service cost management, facility/admin accounting, or commercial coordination preferred. ### Technical Skills * Good understanding of accounting and cost control concepts. * Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. * Hands-on exposure to SAP (FI/CO/MM preferred). * Strong Excel and MIS reporting skills. * Analytical mindset with attention to detail. ### Behavioral Skills * Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills. * Ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Admin, Procurement, SCM, and Finance teams. * High ownership and execution orientation. * Structured and problem-solving approach. * Ability to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment. * Ability to effectively coordinate with Controllership, FP&A, and Business Finance stakeholders. D. Key Outcomes of the Role --------------------------- * Improved control and visibility of plant operating expenses. * Effective management of common admin and facilities costs. * Accurate and timely cost allocation and reporting. * Strong compliance and financial governance across plant operations. * Enhanced cost efficiency through continuous monitoring and savings initiatives. * Reliable forecasting, accounting, and MIS support for plant operations. Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: Manoj Badaik