Operations Financial Analyst

Bekaert (www.bekaert.com) is a world market and technology leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies. We pursue to be the preferred supplier for our steel wire products and solutions by continuously delivering superior value to our customers worldwide. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with more than 27 000 employees worldwide, headquarters in Belgium and € 5.9 billion in combined revenue in 2021.

Job Title: Operations Finance Specialist 

Work Location: GSSCN location (Yerwada - Pune)

Reports to: Manager SSC/ARC

Role Summary -

The Operations Finance Specialist is accountable for the delivery of reporting, analysis and controlling activities related to the relevant Business Unit or Plant. The person in this role will maintain a strong relationship with the SSC/ARC Manager and BU / Plant counterparts, to understand expectations on service delivery and work towards them. The position will require developing a good understanding of manufacturing process and will involve working closely with plant functional teams to drive better financial performance. 

This role mainly focuses on budgeting & forecasting, Standard costing, reporting and financial analysis:

o    Controlling activities

o    Business Financial Analysis & Reporting

o    Standard Costing & Margin Analysis

o    Internal Controls & Audit

Detailed Responsibilities -

•    Controlling activities

o    Effective handling of controlling activities for the defined scope 

o    Working Capital follow up and Control – Receivable ageing analysis & follow up with Marketing and Sales

o    Inventory Valuation every month and Inventory Control

o    Ensuring the correctness of the PC & CC bookings in SAP as well correctness of account groupings (valuation class)

o    CAPEX follow-up and compliance with CAPEX procedure

o    Capex Budget preparation for expansion projects, on-going requirements, IT etc. Creation & update of position IDs in IM module of SAP based on X+1 (Budget) and Approved CAR

o    Maintaining CAR (Capital Appropriation Request) details

o    Creation of Internal Orders for approved CAR, allocation of budget to internal orders and updating the same in IM module of SAP

o    Fixed Asset Control (CWIP follow up, Creation of FA, Transfer of CWIP to FA, Investment Analysis)

o    Ensuring timely capitalization of fixed assets as per local GAAP as well as IFRS

o    Verification of credit notes to customer for volume discounts & other rebates

•    Business Financial Analysis & Reporting

o    Support Preparation of Budgets (X+1)

o    Preparation of Monthly Sales report

o    Monthly Reporting on operational and financial performance

o    Support cash cost reviews with the Plant teams, identify provision requirements and ensure their booking by FSC

o    Project monitoring and reporting of actual Capex v/s budget

o    Provide details of Capital Work in progress

o    SGA Expenses reporting & Control and monthly reviews of SGA expenses with budget owners

o    Adaptation of additional reports as per requirement of Group control

o    Providing information to Plant and BU Control as may be required

o    Preparation of analysis for monthly financials review with BU / Plant

o    Specific provisions related to quarterly & yearly closing

•    Standard Costing and Margin Analysis

o    Drive cost control programs and tracking

o    Calculation of Transfer Prices for Traded FG, Spool Return to inter-companies and review of local transport fee & duties

o    Alignment of costing practices with Global Standard

o    Verification of material master-data (BOM, Recipe, Costing Version etc.) in SAP, comparison of similar FGs/WIPs, Identification & correction of master data in consultation with production & planning department

o    Assist in Yearly calculation of Activity Prices (Man-Hour, Machine-Hour, Ton) for updating FG standard cost (through various SAP codes) for conversion cost based on group standard methodology & X+1 quantities, Update & maintain specific tables in SAP for various cost items like Electricity, Dies, Spools, Pallets in consultation with concerned departments

o    Periodically updating the standard cost of Bom items (purchased HP, WR..) , produced FG and Traded materials

o    Ad-hoc updating of standard cost for HP, FG & Traded FG based on requirement, checking and comparison of master-data and standard cost of new materials

o    Calculate Standard cost for X+1, Revised estimate, and Statutory audit

o    Yearly updating the transfer price calculations for Traded FG & Spool Return, proving Transfer Price for Traded FGs based on the requests from Sales & Marketing. Providing Transfer to SCM for Spool Return

o    Provide cost breakup details to Sales & marketing for costing sheet preparation for export of FG

•    Internal Controls and Audit

o    Internal control: set-up and deploy procedures, check compliance, and assure audit recommendations are put into action plans 

o    Review of internal controls relating to Costing for ensuring integrity, reliability and genuineness of reports generated

o    Ensure and review SOP’s at Plant with respect to processes having a financial impact (inventory, production, sales)

o    Regular Expenses Analysis and action for control. Spread awareness on cost control and cost reduction around BU / Plant

Key Relationships -

SSC/ARC Manager, GBS Management, Group Finance and FP&A teams, Country level BU Management, Centers of Expertise (Tax/Treasury/GRC), Internal Audit and Risk Management, Business Stakeholders & Site Operational Management

Required Experience & Qualification -

o    Experience in working in an SSC environment, and with 5+ years post qualification experience (ICWA/CA preferred, with a good understanding of finance and manufacturing controlling processes

o    Strong Customer Service background and process excellence and continuous improvement mindset

o    Experience in identifying key operating risks and controls

o    Strong interpersonal and communication skills for interaction with senior members of the BU / Plant leadership team, COE, GBS, Group teams and auditors

o    Ability to work well with deadlines and effectively handle multiple and concurrent demands

o    Experience within SAP environment and automation / digitalization would be a definite advantage

o    Fluent in English

You grow, we grow... Better together. Bekaert offers continuous development opportunities.