The Senior Manager Financial Shared Services – India, is accountable for the set-up and ongoing management of the team delivering Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Cash Management and General Accounting services to John Crane and Smiths Group entities, in accordance with Service Level Agreements, Quality Standards and Financial Control Requirements defined by the John Crane Global Business Services Board.

This senior position is required to build the capability to deliver regional Accounting Services across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Pacific as detailed in the John Crane strategy and Business Case.

Accounting Services activities

• Implement the John Crane Global Shared Accounting Services strategy, policies and operating model.
• Ensure the successful set-up of the India Shared Accounting Service teams to deliver the services in accordance with the SLAs.
• Ensure all services provided are to the required quality and financial control standards.
• Lead and drive Knowledge Transfer from local finance teams ensuring services hand over seamlessly without any gaps in service or a reduction in quality.
• Monitor compliance and process performance, working with John Crane Global Business Services Board, local finance teams, the Internal Controls teams and Internal and External Audit
• Drive process standardisation, harmonisation, automation, excellence and continuous improvement.

Team Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive learning and development programme for all team members to ensure their skills and behaviours meet and continue to meet John Crane requirements.
• To be a role model and promote Smiths Group Values and Leadership Behaviours.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

Process Improvement

• Continuously assess and improve finance and accounting processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Implement automation and technology solutions to reduce manual effort and strengthen financial controls.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with compliance to Smiths Group and John Crane Policies and to applicable accounting and reporting standards etc.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks while maintaining strong internal controls.

Projects

• The Smiths Group and John Crane often undertake change projects to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. This position will be a key stakeholder in ensuring such projects are delivered in accordance with the plans and will be expected to lead related, relevant workstreams.

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven experience (15+ years) in senior finance roles with a focus on Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Accounting Reporting.
• Recent, relevant experience gained within an SSC environment.
• Recent relevant experience and strong skills in SAP (ECC6)
• Experience of the implementation of SAP Partner tools to enhance the service delivery e.g. automated Balance Sheet reconciliations, Journal and task workflow and latest generation AP & AR automation tools.
• Demonstrable experience of taking a hands-on approach to leadership
• Strong people leader and influencer with a record of managing and motivating people in a complex, dynamic environment
• Recent experience of transitioning accounting services to a Shared Services team
• Significant working knowledge of IFRS in multinational group
• Risk management / prioritization skills.
• Strong customer service skills and experience
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills
• Strong Presentation skills and advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications
• Comfortable interacting at all levels of the organization, from junior to senior executive levels
• Ability to think clearly, be organized and execute effectively.

Education

• Master or bachelor’s degree in finance and/or Accounting; MBA or CPA preferred.