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