Deputy Manager - Inventory Accounting & Costing

Company Overview

Exide Energy Solutions Ltd is at the forefront of advanced energy storage solutions by establishing India's first Giga plant dedicated to manufacturing Lithium-Ion Cells in Bengaluru. The company excels in designing, developing, and producing high-performance Lithium-Ion Cells and battery pack solutions for various automotive and industrial applications, promoting innovation and sustainability. Exide Energy Solutions is committed to delivering future-ready technologies that align with global standards.

Job Summary

We are seeking a meticulous and dynamic individual to join our team as Deputy Manager - Inventory Accounting & Costing, based in Devanahalli, Bangalore. This full-time role demands expertise in managing end-to-end inventory accounting, valuation, and cost control, including statutory cost record maintenance and cost audit collaboration. Proficiency in SAP S/4HANA (modules MM, FI, CO) is central to ensuring accurate cost management across raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, while complying with regulatory and internal financial control standards.

Primary Responsibilities

• Handle comprehensive inventory accounting for materials including raw materials, WIP, finished goods, consumables, stores & spares, and scrap integrating SAP-driven processes.
• Track and monitor goods receipt notes (GRN), material issues, transfers, and subcontracting activities.
• Conduct routine physical stock verifications and reconcile discrepancies with SAP records; investigate causes of stock variances, shrinkage, and operational losses.
• Implement proper cut-off methods during period-end closings.
• Value inventory in accordance with FIFO, weighted average, or standard costing methodologies; execute standard cost roll-ups leveraging Bills of Material (BOM) and routing within SAP.
• Analyze variances in materials, labor, and overhead costs against planned budgets; manage slow-moving or obsolete stocks and provision recommendations.
• Maintain statutory cost records adhering to Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 and align with Cost Accounting Standards; prepare detailed cost sheets and record quantitative data across materials, utilities, labor, and overheads.
• Coordinate and support compliance with the cost audit under the Companies Act, 2013 by preparing required statements, annexures, and reconciling with financial accounts; liaise with auditors and address their queries timely.
• Ensure seamless integration and accurate postings in SAP S/4HANA modules MM, FI, and CO, validating material masters, price controls, GL mappings, and performing internal orders and cost centre accounting.
• Facilitate month-end and year-end closing activities including GR/IR reconciliation, accounting for stock in transit, expense provisions, and sub-ledger reconciliations with the General Ledger.
• Generate MIS reports such as inventory age analysis, consumption patterns, and cost variance reports to identify cost-saving opportunities and inefficiencies; collaborate with production, procurement, and supply chain teams.
• Implement and enforce internal financial controls related to inventory and costing; support internal and statutory audits, maintaining proper documentation and audit trails.
• Communicate and coordinate cross-functionally with production (yield, wastage, BOM accuracy), procurement (vendor pricing), stores (stock handling), and sales (SKU profitability).

Qualifications & Experience

• B.Com, M.Com, CMA (Intermediate or Final), or CA (Intermediate or Final).
• 4 to 8 years of relevant experience within manufacturing environments focusing on plant costing and inventory management.
• Mandatory hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA across MM, FI, and CO integration modules.

Key Skills and Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of inventory and cost accounting principles.
• Experienced in SAP S/4HANA systems for material management, financial integration, and controlling.
• Familiarity with Cost Accounting Standards and statutory cost audit procedures.
• Strong analytical aptitude coupled with attention to detail and data precision.
• Capability to operate effectively in a plant-based and cross-functional setting.

Performance Indicators

• Accuracy of inventory records and control of variances.
• Timely preparation and compliance of cost records and audit processes.
• Precision in product costing and comparative variance analyses.
• Minimization of obsolete and slow-moving stock.
• Data integrity and reconciliation within SAP systems.
• Efficient closure of audit observations and findings.