Job Summary: 

The Senior Finance Manager, Manufacturing Asia Pacific (AP) is a high-visibility role that drives the financial performance and strategic business decisions for our manufacturing facilities in the AP cluster within the International Market (IM) region. Overseeing 18 multi-market plants, this position will support multiple divisions and complex product categories. The successful candidate will lead a team of X finance professionals across various locations and time zones while ensuring alignment with global business objectives and driving efficiency and profitability during an SAP implementation. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Financial Business Partnering: 

Provide strategic financial leadership, driving strong financial acumen and decision support that results in improved financial metrics and profitable growth. Collaborate closely with manufacturing, supply chain, and operations teams to support strategic initiatives and drive financial performance. 

Financial Planning & Analysis: 

Lead the budgeting and forecasting processes for manufacturing operations, ensuring accuracy and alignment with global objectives. Analyse financial performance against budgets and forecasts, delivering actionable insights and recommendations to senior management. Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPI’s) to monitor manufacturing efficiency and cost management across multiple sites. 

Cost Management: 

Oversee the costing process for chemical manufacturing products, ensuring timely and accurate calculations. Identify cost reduction opportunities and process improvements within manufacturing operations in a complex multi-ERP environment. Collaborate with operations teams to analyse variances and implement corrective actions. 

Reporting & Compliance: 

Prepare and present consolidated financial reports for manufacturing operations, highlighting key insights and trends. Ensure compliance with financial policies, standards, and regulations, including SOX and GAAP. Coordinate with internal and external auditors during financial audits. 

Team Leadership: 

Manage and mentor a diverse team of finance associates located in various countries and the Global Business Services (GBS) centre in Pune, India, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development within the team. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration: 

Serve as a finance partner to manufacturing leadership, providing insights and recommendations to support decision-making. Actively participate in the SAP implementation project, ensuring smooth integration of financial processes and addressing resistance to organizational changes. Implement standard work and processes that promote clear inputs, outputs, and accountability. 

Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field; MBA or CPA preferred. Minimum of 8 years of experience in finance or accounting, with a focus on manufacturing finance in the chemical industry. Proven experience managing finance operations across multiple locations and time zones within a complex matrix organization. Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, cost accounting, and financial analysis in a multi-ERP environment. Familiarity with SAP or experience in ERP system implementations is highly desirable. 

Skills: 

Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide teams in different time zones. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across functions and locations. Proficiency in financial modelling and analysis tools, including advanced Excel skills. Experience with multiple ERP systems and financial reporting software. Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement in a complex operating environment. 

Additional Information: 

Occasional travel (30%) may be required to manufacturing sites and corporate meetings. This position may require working extended hours during peak periods and flexibility to accommodate different time zones. 

What’s in it For You: 

Make a difference: Join us and be part of a stable, growing, global Fortune 500 company where you can have a positive impact Work life balance: Enjoy flexible working hours and a hybrid working mode. We see you: Be recognized for meeting goals, and secure opportunities for advancement. Learning and training: Sharpen your professional business acumen. Benefits: private medical care, stock purchase plan, language learning options and more! 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Ecolab is committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and furthering the principles of Equal Opportunity to Employment. Our goal is to fully utilize minority, female, and disabled individuals at all levels of the workforce. We will recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, Ecolab will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, or disability.