Chief Financial Officer - Aerospace & Defense - CA

Role Overview: The CFO will be a key member of the leadership team, responsible for shaping the organisation's financial strategy and vision, strengthening financial governance and controls, and building institutional-grade systems and reporting as the company scales. This is a high-visibility role working closely with the MD, promoters, and the Board, with direct accountability for capital strategy, investor relations, and driving the organisation toward IPO-readiness. The CFO will be the custodian of the Accounting & Finance function, providing leadership in treasury management, financial reporting, budgeting, tax management, and compliance. The incumbent will ensure optimal financial planning, capital allocation, and corporate governance while aligning financial strategies with business objectives. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Financial Leadership: - Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with corporate goals. - Analyze financial performance, key business metrics, and market risks to drive strategic decision-making. - Guide capital structure decisions, financial leverage, and debt-equity ratio optimization. - Provide financial insights on special projects, joint ventures, and collaborations. - Uphold ethical and governance standards as the financial conscience of the company. Treasury & Fund Management: - Identify short- and long-term capital requirements and source funding at competitive rates. - Manage treasury operations, forex risk, and working capital to optimize fund utilization. - Ensure efficient deployment of surplus funds and credit limit optimization. - Drive interest and debt management strategies for financial sustainability. Financial Planning & Compliance: - Ensure timely financial reporting, tax payments, and statutory compliance with evolving regulations. - Monitor financial risks, disclosure norms, and audit processes for adherence to best practices. - Oversee budgeting, cost control, and financial forecasting to maintain fiscal discipline. Operational Finance & SAP Integration: - Ensure the smooth functioning of finance and accounting systems, including SAP-based financial reporting. - Manage financial contracts, pricing structures, and financial aspects of IPO readiness. - Oversee multi-location financial operations. Stakeholder & People Management: - Maintain relationships with banks, financial institutions, regulators, and shareholders. - Provide financial reports to government bodies, trade councils, and credit agencies. - Lead and mentor the finance team, driving performance, training, and employee engagement. Key Competencies: - Technical Expertise: Financial modeling, compliance, forex risk, capital structure management - Strategic Thinking: Business analysis, risk mitigation, investment planning - Leadership & Influence: Stakeholder engagement, corporate governance, cross-functional collaboration - Negotiation & Networking: Managing external partnerships and regulatory discussions Qualifications & Experience: - Chartered Accountant (CA) / MBA (Finance) or equivalent - 18+ years of financial leadership experience, preferably in Aerospace & Defense manufacturing - Strong SAP & financial reporting expertise - Experience in fundraising, M&A, IPO readiness, and multi-location finance