About our client : First established in 1991, It's an independent British brand that is currently one of the fastest growing in the European automotive industry.
Budget of the Position : 20 LPA MAX
Job Specification : Head of Treasury (Baroda, India)
An opportunity for an experienced treasury professional to lead cashflow planning, foreign exchange management, and treasury operations for a growing multinational company in the distribution sector.
Role Overview
The Head of Treasury will be the operational lead for all treasury activities in our Baroda office, overseeing cashflow forecasting & liquidity management , supplier payments, and foreign exchange (FX) risk management. This senior role will report to the Group Finance Manager (based in the UK) with a dotted line to the Group Finance Director (CFO), and will lead the India treasury team within our finance department. The new hire will take full ownership of day-to-day treasury operations – currently handled by a local team leader – and will also drive strategic treasury planning (cashflow modeling, working capital optimization, etc.) that has so far been managed by the CFO. This means the person must be capable of independent decision-making in treasury matters and proactive in providing insights and recommendations on cash management. Industry experience in a stock-intensive or distribution business is highly preferred, as the role involves managing cash tied up in inventory and ensuring efficient working capital cycles. The ideal candidate will combine hands-on operational skills with strategic thinking and strong people leadership.
Reports To : Group Finance Manager (UK) and Group Finance Director / CFO (UK)
Team : Leads the India-based treasury sub-team (as part of a 7–8 person finance team in India) and collaborates with UK finance colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
- Cashflow Forecasting & Liquidity Management : Develop and maintain accurate short-term and long-term cash flow forecasts for the group, factoring in all inflows / outflows across our global operations. Monitor daily cash positions and ensure sufficient liquidity is available for operational needs and strategic initiatives. Effectively allocate payments and inter-company fund transfers, considering cost of finance and optimizing use of credit facilities.
- Foreign Exchange (FX) and Risk Management : Oversee multi-currency cash balances and manage the company’s foreign exchange exposure. Implement hedging strategies or forward contracts as needed to mitigate FX risks arising from international transactions. Provide guidance on currency risk related to imports, exports, or any global financing, ensuring that global FX requirements are handled efficiently.
- Treasury Operations & Controls : Supervise all day-to-day treasury operations, including supplier payments, banking transactions, and trade finance activities . The Head of Treasury will ensure that payment processes are smooth and secure – e.g. verifying that supplier bank details and approvals follow company policy– and that cash is managed in compliance with internal controls and audit requirements. This includes maintaining segregation of duties in payment processes and reviewing treasury documentation for accuracy. Coordinate with accounts payable and procurement teams to improve payment timing and to build strong supplier relationships, since effective communication with vendors and internal business units is key to managing cash outflows.
- Working Capital & Financing : Work closely with the finance and inventory (stock) teams to optimize working capital. Monitor stock levels and debtor / creditor days to anticipate cash needs. Manage short-term investments or credit line drawdowns to ensure cash is utilized or raised optimally for the business. While the Group CFO will continue to handle high-level banking relationships and financing strategy, the Head of Treasury will interface with banks for operational matters (e.g. executing forex transactions, coordinating loan drawdowns or repayments, handling bank documentation) and ensure the company meets all compliance requirements for treasury operations in India.
- Reporting & Strategic Planning : Prepare and present weekly (and ad-hoc) cashflow reports and treasury updates to senior management (Group Finance Manager and CFO). Provide insights on variances, highlight potential cash shortfalls or surpluses, and recommend actions (such as adjusting payment schedules or hedging currency exposures). Contribute to financial planning by providing cashflow projections for budgets and scenarios. The person is expected to “think ahead” on the company’s cash position and proactively advise on improving treasury effectiveness (e.g. suggesting process improvements or new tools for cash management).
- Team Leadership & Development : Lead the treasury team in Baroda, currently consisting of a team leader and support staff (total ~3–4 people). Set clear objectives and KPIs for the team, and provide coaching and mentorship to develop their skills. As the head of this function, foster a culture of accuracy, diligence, and continuous improvement in the team. Ensure cross-training and documentation of treasury processes so that the function is robust and not reliant on any single individual. The Head of Treasury will also coordinate closely with the UK finance team and other departments (e.g. management accounts, procurement) to ensure alignment and share best practices. Strong people management is essential – the individual should be able to motivate the team, manage workload distribution, and handle performance discussions.
Candidate Requirements – Experience & Skills
Treasury Experience : Approximately 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate treasury or financial management roles, with significant time at a multinational company . Experience working in or with distribution, manufacturing, or inventory-heavy businesses is highly desirable, as it implies familiarity with managing working capital and stock-related cashflow. Candidates should have a proven track record of taking ownership of cashflow planning and treasury operations in an international context. (Note : Typical Head of Treasury roles in India are held by professionals with 10–20+ years of experience.)Technical Skills : Demonstrated expertise in cashflow forecasting and financial modeling – the candidate should be able to build and interpret complex cashflow models (e.g. 13-week cash forecasts, long-term liquidity plans) and present scenarios to management. Strong knowledge of foreign exchange management is required, including practical experience with FX markets, hedging instruments, and understanding of global FX regulations. Familiarity with banking instruments (credit facilities, guarantees, import / export financing) and treasury management systems or advanced Excel skills is expected.Strategic Thinking & InitiativeLeadership & CommunicationEducational Background : A bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field is required. An advanced qualification is preferred but not mandatory – e.g. an MBA or professional certifications such as Chartered Accountant (CA) , Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) , or a treasury qualification (ACT Certified Treasury Professional, etc.) would be an advantage. The focus is on practical experience, but relevant qualifications can underscore the candidate’s knowledge base.Integrity and Compliance : Given the critical nature of this role, the candidate must have a strong sense of integrity and understanding of compliance in finance. Experience implementing or adhering to robust treasury controls (e.g. segregation of duties, bank authorization limits, compliance with FX regulations like RBI guidelines in India) will be valuable. They should demonstrate a meticulous attention to detail to avoid errors in payments or forecasting.Summary of Role Requirements :
Key Responsibilities (Operational and Strategic) :
Cashflow & Liquidity Planning : Own the cash flow forecasting process; manage daily liquidity and weekly / monthly cash projections.FX & Risk Management : Handle multi-currency cash management and implement FX hedges to mitigate currency risk.Treasury Ops & Controls : Oversee supplier payments, banking transactions, and ensure strict compliance with treasury controls.Team Leadership : Lead and mentor the Baroda treasury team; coordinate with UK finance for group-wide treasury matters.Required Experience & Skills (Candidate Profile) :
10+ years in corporate finance / treasury (preferably in an MNC environment).Proven cashflow modeling and financial analysis abilities.Experience managing FX transactions and currency risk in a global context.Strong leadership and people management skills; able to drive independent decisions.Industry background in distribution / manufacturing (working capital intensive) is a plus.Education : Bachelor’s in finance or similar; MBA / CA / CFA / ACT qualification preferred (not mandatory).