Head of Finance

Job Description: Head of Finance

Company: Kisah Apparels Private Limited

Location: Kolkata, West Bengal

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

About Kisah:

Kisah is a dynamic startup redefining men's ethnic wear. We're building a brand that blends

tradition with contemporary style, and we're growing rapidly. To support our ambitious vision, we

are seeking a strategic and hands-on financial leader to be the right hand to our CFO and build a

world-class finance function.

The Role:

As the Head of Finance, you will be the operational leader of all finance and accounting

activities at Kisah. You will own the financial control framework, drive strategic planning, and

lead a team to ensure the financial health and scalability of our business. A critical focus will be

on profitability analysis, inventory control, and cost optimization to directly impact our

bottom line. This is a high-impact role for a seasoned professional who can balance deep

technical expertise with leadership and a commercial mindset.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Leadership & Team Management:

Lead, mentor, and manage a team of 7+ finance professionals, fostering a culture of

excellence and continuous improvement.

Oversee all aspects of day-to-day finance and accounting operations.

2. Financial Planning, Analysis & Business Partnering:

Lead the annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long-range planning processes.

Own the P&L. Monitor, analyze, and report on key business KPIs including Gross

Margin, EBITDA, Operating Expenses, and Budget vs. Actuals, providing actionable

insights to the leadership team.

3. Core Accounting, Compliance & Control:

Ensure complete and accurate financial reporting in accordance with accounting

standards.

Own the month-end and year-end close processes.

Manage all statutory compliances including Direct & Indirect Taxation (TDS, GST), and

ensure a smooth internal and statutory audit process.

Implement and monitor robust internal controls.

4. Inventory, COGS & Working Capital Management:

Implement and oversee a rigorous inventory accounting and control framework.

Drive deep analysis of Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) and Gross Margins, providing

insights into cost drivers, product-wise profitability, and inventory valuation.

Partner with the supply chain and merchandising teams to optimize inventory

levels, minimize obsolescence, and improve working capital cycles.

Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and treasury operations.

Oversee accurate and timely reconciliations (Bank, Vendor, Marketplace).

Optimize working capital with a sharp focus on Inventory, Receivables, and

Payables

5. Systems & Process Optimization:

Leverage and optimize our ERP and other financial systems to drive efficiency and

provide deep business intelligence.

Champion process automation and digitization within the finance function.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

Qualification: CA/CMA/MBA (Finance) from a premier institute.

Experience: 8-12 years of progressive experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership

role managing a team. Proven experience in apparel, retail, fashion, or

manufacturing is critical, with a demonstrated focus on inventory and cost

accounting.

Technical Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Tally and Advanced MS Excel (Power

Query, Pivots, complex financial modeling) is non-negotiable.

Core Competencies:

o Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of the levers that drive profitability,

especially in a product-based business.

o Proven Leader: Demonstrated ability to build, inspire, and manage a highperforming team.

o Analytical Powerhouse: Expertise in dissecting P&L lines, particularly Gross

Margin, and translating data into strategic recommendations.

o Hands-On Operator: Willing to dive into the details of inventory and cost data

while maintaining a strategic view.

o Meticulous & Proactive: High integrity and a strong sense of ownership.

What We Offer:

A pivotal leadership role at a fast-growing, aspirational brand.

Direct mentorship and partnership with the CFO.

Significant autonomy to shape the finance function and drive profitability.

A competitive compensation package and growth trajectory.