Assistant - Controller G&o Job in Louis Dreyfus Company

Job Title: Controller - Grains Trading, Marketing & Distribution (India)
Company: Louis Dreyfus Company

Company Overview:

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) is a leading global merchant and processor of agricultural goods, actively engaged across the entire value chain from farm to fork. With operations in over 100 countries and employing approximately 18,000 people globally, LDC leverages its extensive network to serve customers and consumers worldwide. The company is structured as a matrix organization and operates in diverse business lines, contributing significantly to the agricultural and food processing industries.

Job Description:

As a Controller for the India Grains Trading, Marketing & Distribution division, you will be responsible for independently handling the financial controlling processes for the India operations. Your role will involve managing annual budgeting, improving efficiency through automation, coordinating with the commercial and execution teams, and ensuring accurate position and P&L reporting. You will be expected to maintain a strong analytical focus and reduce the transactional nature of the role, aiming for continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Annual Budgeting & Financial Planning:

  • Lead the annual budgeting process, including data compilation, analysis, and reporting in both front-end and back-end systems.
  • Work closely with regional and central teams to ensure timely submission of the budget for approval.

• Position & P&L Management:

  • Coordinate with the commercial and execution teams to manage and improve position and P&L reporting.
  • Ensure all reporting is accurate, timely, and aligned with company policies.

• Cost Monitoring & Service Contracts:

  • Review and monitor all types of costs and service contracts on an ongoing basis.
  • Work towards improving cost efficiencies and ensuring that expenses are controlled in line with company guidelines.

• Currency Exposure Management:

  • Monitor and report currency exposure, ensuring it is controlled as per company policies and practices.
  • Manage daily FX exposure calculations and reconcile commercial trades with currency hedges in coordination with the finance platform.

• MIS & Analytical Tools Development:

  • Develop and maintain Management Information Systems (MIS) and analytical tools to provide accurate, real-time, and user-friendly information for decision-making.
  • Provide regular updates to management with a focus on volume, margins, headcount, G&A costs, and other critical metrics.

• Position Exposure & Trade Management:

  • Manage platform position exposure, including data extraction, analysis, and reporting.
  • Reconcile daily position movements with traders' trade tickets and trade recap files, ensuring accurate alignment of positions.

• Collaboration with Sales & Marketing Teams:

  • Coordinate with marketing and sales teams to align on volumes, margins, and other financial aspects.
  • Support the development of budget plans and forecasts as per regional and central guidelines.

• Reporting & Compliance:

  • Ensure timely and accurate reporting of budget vs. actuals, monthly MIS, and weekly credit risk reports.
  • Provide detailed justification for any discrepancies or movements in financial positions.

• Process Improvement & Automation:

  • Drive improvements in the financial controlling process by identifying opportunities for automation and deep dives into existing workflows.
  • Reduce transactional work and focus on enhancing the analytical aspects of the role.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience:

  • 6-8 years of experience in financial controlling, with a focus on commodities, trading, or agricultural products.

• Education:

  • MBA in Finance or Chartered Accountant (CA).

• Industry Experience:

  • Preference for candidates with experience in the FMCG or food processing industries.

• Key Skills:

  • Strong financial analytical skills and experience with position management, cost control, and budgeting.
  • Proficiency in financial reporting tools and systems.
  • Knowledge of currency exposure management and FX hedging.
  • Ability to collaborate across teams (commercial, marketing, sales) and manage stakeholder relationships effectively.

• Communication Skills:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
  • Ability to relate well to people at all levels of the organization and effectively manage cross-functional teams.

• Proficiency in Systems:

  • Experience with financial software and tools used for managing positions, trade tickets, and MIS.
  • Strong Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.

Additional Information:

• Key Attributes:
  • Proactive and driven, with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.
  • Capable of working with global teams and navigating complex, matrix-style organizations.