Group Financial Reporting & Consolidation Lead

About Us As a leading provider of high-quality food and beverage ingredients, we work with farming communities across the globe to grow, source and produce ingredients that are good for consumers, farmers, and the world around us. We supply household food brands and manufacturers worldwide with cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ingredients which are often grown on our own farms and estates and sourced from hundreds of thousands of farmers across ~50 countries. Along with our diverse manufacturing and innovation capabilities, this means we can provide ingredients for a range of products, from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar or a dairy-free ice cream. Making a positive impact on people and planet is a core component of our Purpose, to be the change for good food and a healthy future. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply. And whoever were with, whatever were doing, we always make it real. Location: Chennai Key Responsibilities Handling of Group Consolidation & Reporting Own and lead monthly, quarterly, and annual consolidation of Group Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements, including sub-consolidations, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Establish and manage a robust close calendar covering entity submissions, consolidation activities, and reporting timelines. Perform detailed Financial statement reviews, identifying risk areas, mismatches, and movements, and provide clear insights to management. Coordinate preparation of consolidated financial reports and statutory reporting packs; support external financial disclosures as required. Collaborate closely with Corporate Secretariat, FP&A, and Group Controller teams to ensure alignment between internal and external reporting, including financial and non-financial KPIs. Act as process owner for consolidation system implementation and enhancements. Partner with IT and SAP CoE to drive automation, system upgrades, data integration, and process efficiencies between source systems and reporting platforms. Lead troubleshooting and continuous process improvements, effectively bridging gaps between origin and corporate finance. Strengthen internal controls and governance frameworks around consolidation and financial statement. Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on IFRS, providing guidance, training, and supporting change management initiatives. Lead interactions with Group and country-level auditors; manage audit documentation, technical accounting assessments, and timely resolution of audit queries. Handle critical accounting matters with sound technical judgment, including complex estimates and disclosures. Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing consolidation team; provide coaching and support career development. Partner with local Finance Controllers, Treasury, Tax, IT, and senior leadership to align objectives and drive continuous improvement across finance operations. Support mergers, acquisitions, liquidations, and due diligence activities, including PPA, goodwill, and integration of new entities into consolidation systems. Requirements & Qualifications: Chartered Accountant (CA) with 15+ years of post-qualification experience (preferably qualified in 2010 or earlier), including a minimum of 8 years in group consolidation and reporting roles. Strong expertise in IFRS and related accounting standards, with hands-on application in complex group structures. Advanced knowledge of consolidation tools such as SAP BPC, HFM, or other established consolidation systems. Deep understanding of SAP systems, consolidation modules, system integration, and data governance to drive automation and reporting efficiency. Proven experience in consolidating 100+ legal entities across multiple geographies, including multi-currency environments, revaluation, and foreign currency translation. Demonstrated experience working in large, listed organizations with complex reporting and governance requirements. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a clear focus on process improvement and operational excellence. Experience in mergers and acquisitions integration, including onboarding of new entities into consolidation systems, is a strong advantage. Strong leadership capabilities, including team management, ability to operate in a fast-paced environment, and consistently meet tight deadlines. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectiv .