Manager - Finance Operations

About Ferguson:

Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes and better businesses. We exist to make our customers complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable. We proactively solve problems, adapt and grow to continuously serve our customers, communities and each other. Ferguson is proud to provide best-in-class products, service and capabilities across the following industries: Commercial/Mechanical, Facilities Supply, Fire and Fabrication, HVAC, Industrial, Residential Trade, Residential Building and Remodel, Waterworks and Residential Digital Commerce. Ferguson has approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations. Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful. You will build a career that you are proud of, at a company you can believe in.

Company Overview:

Ferguson has established operations in India since 2025 with technology and sourcing functions. Ferguson India is a key part of our global organization, providing business services and technology capabilities. Our Bangalore-based Global Capability Center is a hub of innovation and operational excellence, supporting our worldwide operations. We are looking for talented professionals to join our dynamic team and contribute to our continued success.

Ferguson is North America's largest value-added distributor of essential water and air solutions, serving specialized professionals in our $340B residential and non-residential construction markets. We help make our customers complex projects simple, successful and sustainable by providing expertise and a wide range of products and services from plumbing, HVAC, appliances, and lighting to PVF, water and wastewater solutions, and more. Headquartered in Newport News, Va., Ferguson has sales of $31.3 billion (Calendar Year 2025) and approximately 35,000 associates in over 1,700 locations.

Position Summary:

Ferguson Global is seeking a highly experienced and certified Chartered Accountant (CA) to serve as the Finance Controller for our India operations. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance at Ferguson Global, this executive role holds complete accountability for the end-to-end finance and accounting functions of the Indian entity.

This senior role is pivotal in overseeing our outsourced accounting operations, ensuring robust governance, compliance, and risk mitigation. The Finance Manager will act as the primary liaison for our finance operations, manage cash flow, uphold internal controls, and navigate the complexities of local statutory and tax requirements. This is a critical role that ensures the financial integrity and stability of our Indian entity, and act as a strategic partner bridging local business needs with global financial objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Governance of Outsourced Finance Operations:

• Act as the primary stakeholder to ensure our outsourced finance partner meets all service level agreements (SOW) regarding accuracy, data entry, and reporting deadlines.
• Enforce adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that align with both company policy and Indian local requirements.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer and training to bridge the gap between local Indian business needs and US reporting requirements.
• Conduct periodic quality assurance checks on accounting entries to ensure correct GL coding and cost center allocation.

2. Local Compliance & Tax Risk Management:

• Ensure the accurate calculation and timely payment of GST, TDS, and Professional Tax, in line with Indian statutory deadlines.
• Stay updated on the latest Indian tax regulations and other relevant rule changes, assess their impact, and advise on necessary actions.
• Act as the local lead for all Statutory, Internal, and Tax Audits, coordinating with the outsourced partner to provide required documentation.
• Review Statutory Financial Statements to ensure they comply with the Companies Act, 2013, and Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS).

3. Cash Flow Forecasting & Management:

• Supervise the consolidation of data for the monthly rolling cash forecast, performing a final sanity check of all projections.
• Develop liquidity plans to determine the timing of intercompany funding or credit lines, ensuring the Indian entity maintains sufficient funds for payroll and operations.
• Lead the monthly Cash Flow Variance analysis (Actual vs. Forecast) and ensure the accuracy of the data provided.

4. Internal Control & Governance:

• Serve as the local Authorized Signatory for all bank payments, maintaining a strict Maker-Checker process (initiated by the outsourced partner, approved by the Controller).
• Ensure strict adherence to the company's Delegation of Authority (DoA) for all expenditures and vendor setups.
• Monitor the control environment to prevent blind spots and mitigate the risk of financial fraud in a remote accounting setup.
• Provide assurance and certification of Base Finance Controls (BFC).

5. Strategic Finance & Site Leadership Partnering:

• Partner with local site leaders to translate the operational goals and headcount expansion plans into financial requirements.
• Lead the end-to-end creation of the annual budget (CapEx and OpEx). This includes forecasting costs for infrastructure, technology, facilities, and vendor services.
• Review monthly reports presented by our finance partners and establish rigor with monthly Budget vs. Actual (BvA) analysis. Identify root causes for any financial deviations (e.g., unexpected software costs, facility maintenance spikes).

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting is required.
• Must be a certified Chartered Accountant (CA)
• 7-10 years of progressive experience in Finance/Accounting, Controlling, Auditing (especially with a Big Four firm), or a tax compliance-related role.
• Knowledge and understanding of US GAAP is required.
• Advanced proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Oracle, NetSuite) and MS Excel.

Desired Skills:

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze complex financial data and produce actionable insights.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead and hold external teams accountable.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to bridge communication between local and international teams.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying and resolving financial and compliance issues.